Eat a seafood prison and sit down! Why horseshoe crabs, which are eaten casually in Thailand, have become "national security" in China
On summer evenings, beer is sipped, crayfish is fragrant at the barbecue stall, and seafood feasts are mouth-watering. However, behind this seemingly ordinary delicacy, there is a danger that few people know about. "Food is the heavens of the people", this old proverb speaks of the important position of food in Chinese culture. However, have you ever thought that the consumption of some seafood could lead to jail time?
In April 2021, a hotel in Yueqing, Zhejiang Province, staged a farce that made people laugh and cry. When the restaurant owner was busy, his friend Wang broke into the store with a huge seafood, claiming that it was a rare item bought from the vegetable market and wanted to borrow it from the kitchen to cook. Driven by curiosity, the boss took a photo and posted it to the circle of friends, but unexpectedly saw an amazing sentence in the comments: "This is to protect animals, illegal!" ＂
Although the boss informed Wang of this information, the latter did not take it seriously and walked away with the mysterious seafood. Intuition tells the boss that something is wrong, and he decisively calls the police. The police acted quickly, investigated and collected evidence, and finally arrested him and his accomplice Jin at Wang's residence.
It turned out that the seafood that caused the storm was actually horseshoe crab, a rare creature that has been listed as a national second-class protected animal. And Wu, a vegetable vendor who sells horseshoe crabs, knowingly committed the crime and became the culprit of this incident. In the end, all three suspects were criminally detained, paying a heavy price for their greed.
Similar cases are not unique. In March 2022, Fujian publicly tried a case of illegal trade in horseshoe crabs. Aquatic businessman Wang Mouchen went astray and bought a large number of horseshoe crabs for release, but was unexpectedly seized by the Xiamen detachment of the Chinese Fishery Administration. This series of events has sparked public concern about the horseshoe crab and has also raised the question: what kind of amazing creature is this, and why does its capture have such serious consequences?
The horseshoe crab, an unfamiliar name, actually represents an incredibly ancient creature. It has survived on Earth for more than 400 million years, older than the dinosaurs, and is known as a "living fossil". Imagine that when primitive fish first appeared on Earth, horseshoe crabs were already at their leisure in the ocean.
Outwardly, the horseshoe crab resembles a giant crab and belongs to marine arthropods. Its round shell hides gills, and when you flip it over, you can see its red-black pincers and powerful legs, giving it an ancient and comical feel. Although it looks ferocious in appearance, the horseshoe crab is actually no threat to humans, and can be called a representative of "harmlessness to humans and animals".
However, it is this seemingly mundane creature that attracts attention because of one striking feature - their blood is blue. In 1956, an United States researcher discovered the peculiarities of horseshoe crab blood. Unlike other animals, the copper protein in the horseshoe crab's blood is responsible for transporting oxygen, which is why it takes on a blue color. What's even more amazing is that this blood is unusually sensitive to bacteria and will immediately clot once touched, forming a natural defense barrier.
The discovery immediately caused a stir in the medical community. LAL blood has become the best reagent for detecting bacterial contamination in medical devices and pharmaceutical products, and it is still an irreplaceable "artifact" in this field. However, this uniqueness also has disastrous consequences for horseshoe crabs. In order to obtain the precious blue blood, a large number of horseshoe crabs are captured and "donated", which not only seriously affects their viability, but also leads to a sharp decline in the population.
In China, people still have the habit of eating horseshoe crabs in the last century. But with overfishing, the number of horseshoe crabs has declined dramatically. In 2019, the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) listed the Chinese horseshoe crab as endangered. In February 2021, China listed the horseshoe crab as a second-class protected animal and began to cultivate and release them in captivity.
Interestingly, while China is doing its best to protect horseshoe crabs, horseshoe crabs have become a ubiquitous delicacy in the streets of Thailand. Roasted horseshoe crabs, boiled horseshoe crabs, horseshoe crab soup, and various cooking methods emerge in endlessly. There are reasons for this seemingly contradictory phenomenon. Originally, horseshoe crabs were divided into four species: Chinese horseshoe crabs, southern horseshoe crabs, roundtail horseshoe crabs, and American horseshoe crabs. China protects Chinese horseshoe crabs, while Thailand eats southern horseshoe crabs. It is worth noting that the horseshoe crab is highly poisonous, and the consequences of accidental consumption are serious.
In Thailand, southern horseshoe crabs are not protected by law, probably because local populations have not yet declined significantly. This phenomenon of "different lives with horseshoe crabs" is interesting: Chinese horseshoe crabs are protected in China, southern horseshoe crabs are eaten in Thailand, and American horseshoe crabs are mainly used for "blood donation" in the United States.
Protecting horseshoe crabs is not just a national responsibility, but a global effort. The survival of this ancient creature can only be ensured through international cooperation and comprehensive monitoring and protection of the LAL's habitat.
Looking back on the whole incident, we can't help but ask: have we neglected respect for nature while pursuing good food? As the "old residents" of the earth, the horseshoe crab has witnessed the vicissitudes of the earth, but it is on the verge of extinction under the greed of humans. This is not only a threat to biodiversity, but also a challenge to the ecological balance of the earth.
Each of us should reflect: have we considered the impact on the environment while enjoying our food? How do you find a balance between satisfying cravings and protecting the ecology? It's not just about the fate of horseshoe crabs, it's about the future of our humanity. After all, the earth is our common home, and to protect it is to protect ourselves.
Let's work together to create a future of harmony for horseshoe crabs, for every living thing on the planet. Maybe one day, when our descendants ask about the story of the horseshoe crab, we can proudly say that it is because of the efforts of our generation that this ancient
The species has survived to this day.
When discussing the conservation of horseshoe crabs, we can't help but think about the broader issue of conservation. The fate of horseshoe crabs is just a microcosm of many endangered species. From polar bears in the Arctic to orangutans in tropical rainforests, whales in the deep sea to snow leopards in the mountains, every creature is facing a similar existential crisis.
Human activities, whether overfishing, habitat destruction, or climate change, have had a huge impact on other living things on the planet. We must be aware that every living thing on Earth has its own unique ecological value, and together they make up the complex and fragile ecosystem of this planet. As ecologist Barry · Commana said, "Everything in nature is interconnected." ＂
Returning to the question of horseshoe crabs, we see the contradiction between scientific and technological development and ecological protection. The important application of horseshoe crab blood in the medical field is undoubtedly a great discovery, and it has saved countless lives. But at the same time, it also brought disaster to the horseshoe crab. This dilemma reminds us that while technological innovation is not only going to take into account, but also to consider the impact on the environment and seek a sustainable path.
In recent years, scientists have been working to develop artificial alternatives to reduce reliance on horseshoe crab blood. This effort exemplifies the spirit of human innovation in the face of adversity. We look forward to the day when we can find the perfect solution that meets the medical needs without harming the horseshoe crabs.
For ordinary people, we can also make our own contribution to the conservation of horseshoe crabs and other endangered species. First, raise awareness of environmental protection and understand the impact of our eating habits on the environment. Second, support for sustainably harvested and farmed seafood. In addition, participate in environmental protection activities, such as beach clean-ups, environmental protection promotions, etc. Every small action can have a positive impact on ecological conservation.
Education also plays an important role in this. We need to educate more people, especially the next generation, about the importance of an ancient species like the horseshoe crab. Through school education, popular science activities, natural history museums, etc., we can cultivate the public's ecological awareness and make environmental protection a conscious action of everyone.
From another perspective, the story of the horseshoe crab also teaches us a lesson about cultural differences. A species that is strictly protected in China is a delicacy on the table in Thailand. This reminds us that in today's globalized world, we need more cross-cultural communication and understanding. Only by reaching consensus can endangered species be effectively protected on a global scale.
Finally, we can't help but ask: 100 years from now, when our children and grandchildren look back on this history, how will they evaluate the actions of our generation? Are we doing our part to protect our planet? The fate of the horseshoe crab also reflects the future of mankind to some extent.
As Dr. Jane · Goodall said, "You have the power to create a better world for all living beings." "Let's join hands to create a better future for horseshoe crabs and every life on Earth. Perhaps one day, when our descendants can still see horseshoe crabs crawling on the beach, it will be the greatest legacy of our generation.
As I conclude this article, I would like to invite every reader to ponder: What are some small actions we can take in our daily lives to protect the environment? Are you willing to change your lifestyle to protect an endangered species like horseshoe crabs? Let's take action together to contribute to the future of our planet. After all, to protect the planet is to protect our own home.