TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — The Ocean Affairs Council on Friday recognized National Sun Yat-sen University Professor Chang Yi (張懿) for leading the first comprehensive study on Taiwan’s tri-spine horseshoe crab population.
While the tri-spine horseshoe crab is one of Taiwan’s most common bottom-feeding arthropods — often referred to as a “living fossil” for its minimal evolutionary change over millions of years — the species has remained largely unstudied, per CNA. Chang’s team noted that despite its ecological and cultural significance, the lack of data has made it difficult for the government to develop effective conservation policies.
To address this gap, Chang and his team conducted field research across Taiwan, Kinmen, and Penghu, collecting data on the distribution and population size of the species. The project marks the first complete dataset on horseshoe crabs in Taiwan.
From a genetic standpoint, Chang noted there is minimal divergence among the horseshoe crab populations across the three regions. This suggests that the species can be managed as a single population.
The team’s findings were published in the journal Regional Studies in Marine Science and are expected to serve as a key reference for the International Union for Conservation of Nature as it assesses the health of Taiwan’s horseshoe crab populations.
Although horseshoe crabs are still present in Taiwan, their numbers have declined drastically, per CNA. Their main remaining habitats are now limited to Kinmen and Penghu, where they face new threats from the invasive salt marsh cordgrass.
Kinmen County Councilor Tung Sen-pao (董森堡) criticized the focus on banning fishing as the primary conservation method, arguing that habitat preservation, including controlling invasive species, should be prioritized.
Retired Kinmen teacher and intertidal zone preservation advocate Hung Ching-chang (洪清漳) echoed these concerns. He said horseshoe crabs are highly selective about their habitats, and while development damage may seem irreversible, restoring some intertidal zones is still possible if the invasive salt marsh cordgrass is effectively removed.
Hung proposed involving local communities in removal efforts, suggesting heavy machinery for severely infested areas. He stressed the need for immediate action upon sighting infestations, instead of waiting for problems to escalate.
He also criticized the current government approach to habitat restoration, noting that contractors often only perform surface-level clearing just ahead of inspections, allowing the cordgrass to regrow, per UDN. He urged authorities to enforce more thorough and consistent removal practices.
