Most of my entries had broadly focused on the issue of marine trash and debris in various parts of the world. I was recently made aware of a marine trash incident that happened a few years ago in Singapore, at Mandai Besar mangrove.
Recreational fishermen who use gill nets at times visit some of these mangrove patches (Sivasothi, 2009). Gill nets found abandoned at the mangrove have been known to trap crabs, which eventually die from the heat when exposed at low tide or starvation (Sivasothi, 2009). In 2009, Professor Sivasothi discovered and rescued 300 horseshoe crabs trapped in a 100 metre long gill net (Sivasothi, 2009).
Do read about his experience on the rescue here.
There are only 4 species of horseshoe crabs in the world and 2 of them can be found in Singapore (National Parks [NParks], n.d.) The coastal horseshoe crab (Tachypleus gigas) and the mangrove horseshoe crab (Carcinoscorpius rotundicauda) are classified as ‘Endangered’ and ‘Vulnerable respectively (Wild Singapore, 2013) Thus, responsible practices is important to minimise the risks posed to the wildlife we have in Singapore so that we can maintain and enjoy the biodiversity that we have.
NPARKS. (n.d.) Living fossils: Horseshoe crabs. [Online] Available from: http://mygreenspace.nparks.gov.sg/living-fossils-horseshoe-crabs/ [Accessed: 25 October 2014]
SIVASOTHI, N. (2009) 300 entangled horseshoe crabs rescued at Mandai Besar mangrove. [Online] Available from: http://habitatnews.nus.edu.sg/index.php?entry=/marine/20090529-xiphosuran_rescue.txt [Accessed: 25 October 2014]
WILD SINGAPORE. (2013) Horseshoe crabs. [Online] Available from http://www.wildsingapore.com/wildfacts/arthropoda/limulidae/limulidae.htm [Accessed: 25 October 2014]