A former scientist from the CSIR-National Institute of Oceanography has warned that Odisha's horseshoe crab population could disappear within the next eight to ten years unless urgent protective measures are implemented. Anil Chatterji issued the caution in a note released ahead of International Horseshoe Crab Day on June 20.
Living fossil under threat
Horseshoe crabs, often described as 'living fossils' for surviving over 450 million years, now face serious threats from habitat degradation and human activities. Chatterji, reflecting on nearly four decades of research, noted that systematic studies on the species in India began in 1986 after a pharmaceutical company sought information on their availability along the Indian coast.
Key discovery in 1987
A major breakthrough occurred on June 20, 1987, when Chatterji's team, assisted by local fishermen, discovered a large breeding aggregation of horseshoe crabs at Balramgari near Chandipur in Balasore district. This discovery marked the beginning of organized horseshoe crab research in the country. Subsequent studies revealed that spawning is closely synchronized with tidal height and lunar cycles, providing crucial insights into breeding behavior and habitat requirements.
Research milestones
Initially supported by Unichem Laboratories and later by the Department of Ocean Development, the research expanded to cover migration, nesting ecology, habitat conservation, and biomedical applications. One significant achievement was the development of a patented technique to extract horseshoe crab blood without harming the animal. This demonstrated India's capability to produce amoebocyte lysate, a highly sensitive reagent used globally to detect bacterial endotoxins in vaccines, injectable drugs, and medical devices.
Support from leaders
Chatterji credited former chief minister Biju Patnaik for extending crucial support to horseshoe crab research in Odisha, leading to projects on artificial breeding, larval rearing, and habitat conservation. He also acknowledged the contribution of late researcher Chitta Behera to the study and conservation of the species.
Alarming decline
Long-term studies conducted between 1988 and 2006 recorded an estimated 73 percent decline in horseshoe crab populations along the Odisha coast. Habitat destruction, coastal development, pollution, beach modification, and accidental capture in fishing nets have emerged as principal threats.
"If the present trend continues, Odisha could lose its horseshoe crab population within the next eight to ten years," Chatterji cautioned, emphasizing that the ecological and biomedical significance of the species makes conservation imperative.
Call for community-based conservation
Instead of blanket fishing bans, Chatterji advocated for community-based conservation, protection of breeding habitats, public awareness, and long-term scientific monitoring. He urged the Odisha government, research institutions, and young scientists to build on the state's pioneering legacy and ensure the survival of one of the world's oldest marine species.
