A total of 33 publications have been reviewed in order to determine the current state-of-the-art of LCA development in fishery based seafood production systems, focusing mainly on methodological innovations and the different assumptions that are taken into consideration in the different stages of LCA. The assessment revealed a strong proliferation of LCA in seafood systems in recent years, but unequal levels of methodological development. Based on this evaluation, the article proposes a simple and straightforward guideline to set a common denominator for future seafood system LCA studies. Finally, innovation pathways that may potentially turn LCA into a more integrated methodology to evaluate the environmental performance of seafood systems are discussed throughout the review. © 2012 Elsevier Ltd.