Traditional culture-based public awareness and conservation actions for horseshoe crab at Kinmen Island, Taiwan

During the Marital Law era in 1949-1990s, Kinmen was brought under tight military control and kept people away from the coastal beaches filled with mines and enabled the marine animal, horseshoe crabs to thrive. However, most... [ view full abstract ]

During the Marital Law era in 1949-1990s, Kinmen was brought under tight military control and kept people away from the coastal beaches filled with mines and enabled the marine animal, horseshoe crabs to thrive. However, most of residents lost their awareness to close to the sea during the long military period- not to mention to care about marine life and environment. During the decade of the 2000s, the construction of the 2.2 million m² port had destroyed fishing grounds and devastated the ecosystem at Kinmen. Meanwhile, the horseshoe crab population has disappeared along with the traditional way of life for the island’s fishermen. The homeless horseshoe crab and fisherman were made their first awarded documentary as “The Lost Sea”.

To seek for conservation support from the locals and public, traditional culture-based public awareness and conservation actions were conducted. Traditional fishery skills were demonstrated by old fisherman with concept of sustainable fishery. DIY course of horseshoe crab model’s sticky rice cake and origami enriched participants’ knowledge and interests of horseshoe crab. Field tour around intertidal zone were guided for firsthand experience with horseshoe crab juveniles and their habitat. All the efforts contributed to the citizen science and urge government’s conservation actions on coast biodiversity and environment.