KEYNOTE SPEAKER
ABOUT
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Professor Kit Yue KWAN
College of Marine Sciences Beibu Gulf University Guangxi, China Professor Kit Yue Kwan is a marine ecologist based at Beibu Gulf University, Guangxi, China. After completing his BSc and PhD studies at City University of Hong Kong, he continued his research work in finding workable solutions to tackle issues on marine biodiversity conservation and management, particularly the understudied invertebrates, including horseshoe crabs in Asian regions. Prof. Kwan is currently serving as a steering committee member of the Horseshoe Crab Specialist Group under the IUCN Species Survival Commission (SSC) as well as the Mangrove Ecosystem Committee under the Ecological Society of China, and a member of IUCN SSC China. He organized the 4th International Workshop on the Science and Conservation of Horseshoe Crabs in China, assisted the establishment of the International Horseshoe Crab Day, and am now leading the Asian Horseshoe Crab Observation Network program. His recent research work focuses on identifying critical habitats and threats of Asian horseshoe crabs, and developing practical protocols for collecting/reporting juvenile population information and conceptual frameworks for responsible stock enhancement programs for the conservation of horseshoe crab populations. His findings contributed to the listing of Asian horseshoe crabs as State Key Protected Wildlife Animals in China, the formulation of Hong Kong Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan, and the IUCN Red List assessment of horseshoe crabs in Asia. His research stories were also covered in Chinese National Geographic, CCTV-13, Xinhua News Agency, China Daily and other influential media platfo
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ABSTRACT
How Science Can Improve Asian Horseshoe Crab Conservation Management: Attempts in Beibu Gulf of China
BACKGROUND
The future priorities to the conservation of Asian horseshoe crabs, according to a questionnaire survey administered to 46 selected horseshoe crab experts in 2019, are baseline data collection and threat management. Over the past eight years, efforts have been devoted to better understanding the Asian horseshoe crab population and habitat distribution in Beibu Gulf of China. However, linking up science and management is difficult, particularly when Asian horseshoe crabs are not economically important species in China.
METHODS
The efforts to promote science-based management in various community service projects on Asian horseshoe crabs in Beibu Gulf of China were summarized.
RESULTS
(1) Identification of important spawning/nursery habitats is useful in various marine park/protected area management as well as environmental impact assessment projects. Standardized monitoring protocol adopted by the IUCN Asian Horseshoe Crab Observation Network can ensure data quality and allow yearly comparisons. (2) The peak season/month for spawning/nursery is important to design cost-effective monitoring activities and to implement precautionary measures to avoid massive loss during coastal constructions. (3) Movements of the spawning pairs between sea and land are crucial to assess any potential threats derived from human activities. (4) Engaging fisher communities in partnership with non-governmental organizations can maximize conservation impacts.
CONCLUSION
Enhanced understandings regarding the core habitats and their connectivity to support spawning, nursery and feeding of Asian horseshoe crabs are important to promote science-based decisions to further improve conservation management of remaining Asian horseshoe crab populations in Beibu Gulf of China.
The future priorities to the conservation of Asian horseshoe crabs, according to a questionnaire survey administered to 46 selected horseshoe crab experts in 2019, are baseline data collection and threat management. Over the past eight years, efforts have been devoted to better understanding the Asian horseshoe crab population and habitat distribution in Beibu Gulf of China. However, linking up science and management is difficult, particularly when Asian horseshoe crabs are not economically important species in China.
METHODS
The efforts to promote science-based management in various community service projects on Asian horseshoe crabs in Beibu Gulf of China were summarized.
RESULTS
(1) Identification of important spawning/nursery habitats is useful in various marine park/protected area management as well as environmental impact assessment projects. Standardized monitoring protocol adopted by the IUCN Asian Horseshoe Crab Observation Network can ensure data quality and allow yearly comparisons. (2) The peak season/month for spawning/nursery is important to design cost-effective monitoring activities and to implement precautionary measures to avoid massive loss during coastal constructions. (3) Movements of the spawning pairs between sea and land are crucial to assess any potential threats derived from human activities. (4) Engaging fisher communities in partnership with non-governmental organizations can maximize conservation impacts.
CONCLUSION
Enhanced understandings regarding the core habitats and their connectivity to support spawning, nursery and feeding of Asian horseshoe crabs are important to promote science-based decisions to further improve conservation management of remaining Asian horseshoe crab populations in Beibu Gulf of China.
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