保護馬蹄蟹
馬蹄蟹有著重要的保育價值；牠們在海岸產卵，可以為水鳥提供食物來源；除此之外，馬蹄蟹也是生物醫學研究的重要資源，其「活化石」身份亦有進化學研究價值。
世界上有四種馬蹄蟹，在香港就可以見到其中兩種——中國鱟及圓尾鱟。本地的幼年馬蹄蟹數量約為4500至7300隻。有研究顯示，近年香港馬蹄蟹的數字大量下降約九成，當中原因包括海岸發展、生境退化及干擾、以及被當作商品出售。2019年3月，中國鱟被世界自然保護聯盟（IUCN）《瀕危物種紅色名錄》列為「瀕危」。
Protecting the Horseshoe Crab
Horseshoe crab conservation is vital not only because of its importance to the coastal ecology as a major food source for shorebirds; they also contribute to studies in evolutionary science and for the biomedical industry.
Out of the four species of horseshoe crab worldwide, two types: the Chinese horseshoe crab (Tachypleus tridentatus) and the mangrove horseshoe crab (Carcinoscorpis rotundicauda), are found in the coastal waters of Hong Kong. The local population of juvenile horseshoe crabs is estimated to number 4,500 to 7,300 individuals. Hong Kong population declines in recent years are estimated at ≥90% due to various threats, including disturbance, loss and degradation of its habitat, as well as human exploitation of adult crab. In March 2019, the conservation status of the Chinese horseshoe crab was elevated to ‘endangered’ under the IUCN Red List of Endangered Species.
Out of the four species of horseshoe crab worldwide, two types: the Chinese horseshoe crab (Tachypleus tridentatus) and the mangrove horseshoe crab (Carcinoscorpis rotundicauda), are found in the coastal waters of Hong Kong. The local population of juvenile horseshoe crabs is estimated to number 4,500 to 7,300 individuals. Hong Kong population declines in recent years are estimated at ≥90% due to various threats, including disturbance, loss and degradation of its habitat, as well as human exploitation of adult crab. In March 2019, the conservation status of the Chinese horseshoe crab was elevated to ‘endangered’ under the IUCN Red List of Endangered Species.
