AbstractCrimes at sea—blue crimes—can have devastating impacts on small‐scale fishing communities. Increasing calls to address “blue crimes” demand more research to address the drivers, patterns, actors and impacts of criminal activities in society and the oceans. This research and policy agenda, however, is not without risks as it might impact individual small‐scale fishers and their communities, exacerbate existing inequalities and contribute to the criminalization of small‐scale fishing practices. This paper discusses the risks and ethical challenges faced by a blue crimes research agenda to improve rather than worsen the plight of small‐scale fishers. We identify eight inter‐related ethical considerations: (i) pay attention to context and forms of involvement, (ii) cultivate reciprocal relationships and collaborations, (iii) evaluate and minimize risks, (iv) integrate storytelling and careful listening, (v) challenge reductionism, (vi) represent people, places, and practices carefully, (vii) follow communication ethics and (viii) consider the legal and policy implications. In light of a review of the literature on blue crimes and small‐scale fisheries, we point to the need for ethically grounded research that is committed to reducing the associated burdens on small‐scale fishers and their communities.