Tri-Spine Horseshoe Crab Aquaculture, Ranching and Stock Enhancement: Perspectives and Challenges

As a well-known example of “living fossil,” horseshoe crabs are ecologically significant macroinvertebrates in coastal and estuarine ecosystems. The tri-spine crab, Tachypleus tridentatus , has been widely utilized for amebocyte lysate production food consumption since the 1980s, which led to considerable population declines along west coast Pacific Ocean. declining crab is expected have ecological social impacts. Stock enhancement through captive rearing juveniles cited as an important alternative repopulate native T. turn supports sustainable resource utilization research activities. hatchery techniques this species gradually developed following mass culture efforts Japan late 1980s. However, previous studies primarily concerned feed types husbandry conditions maximize growth survival juveniles. Little known about practicability effectiveness releasing large numbers hatchery-bred individuals programs. In review, we (1) summarize available breeding techniques, (2) discuss release strategies that could potentially improve released juveniles, (3) identify future opportunities challenges establishing technical frameworks support responsible stock programs . information should benefit fisheries management attempt restore severely depleted populations.