Conservation Needs of Horseshoe Crabs: A Special Reference to Odisha, East Coast of Peninsular India

Indian coastal belt is home to two species of horseshoe crabs, Tachypleus gigas (Müller) and Carcinoscorpius rotundicauda (Latreille). Both species have been found mainly in the northern east coast of India. However, the recent study confirms the drastic decline of horseshoe crab population in these coasts. In this present study, a total of 108 alive and dead individuals of horseshoe crabs were documented. Compared to previous studies, population has declined due to the degradation of their breeding habitat, rampant fishing, predation, coastal tourism, construction, and changes in beach morphology. To address this issue, government should take appropriate steps for mass awareness to fisher community, school, and college student about the rules and laws of Indian Wildlife Protection Act for the protection of this ancient marine creature. Novel conservation management plans of horseshoe crabs have proposed in this current study and their viable population sites may be declared as “Conservation Reserve or Biodiversity Heritage Site”.