Chinese horseshoe crabs at the Zhoushan Chinese horseshoe crab rescue center. [Photo/Tide News]

Twenty-one Chinese horseshoe crabs (Tachypleus tridentatus) that were mistakenly caught have been rehabilitated and returned to the sea in Putuo district, Zhoushan, Zhejiang province.

This scene provides a glimpse into Zhoushan's ongoing efforts to protect Chinese horseshoe crabs, including establishing the Chinese horseshoe crab rescue center in 2022 and carrying out the breeding of Chinese horseshoe crab larvae.

The rescue center, the first of its kind in the province, served as the rehabilitation site for the 21 released Chinese horseshoe crabs.

Since its establishment, the center has rescued nearly a hundred Chinese horseshoe crabs, according to Zhang Tao, senior engineer at the Zhejiang Provincial Institute of Marine Fisheries.

Zhang added that the majority of the horseshoe crabs here were either discovered injured after being accidentally caught by fishermen, or were brought in due to concerns regarding their health conditions.

Creating an optimal water environment and providing suitable nourishment are essential for the recovery and growth of Chinese horseshoe crabs. Additionally, maintaining appropriate temperature conditions is crucial for their successful rehabilitation, noted Zhang.

The horseshoe crab, known as the "living fossil of the sea," has survived on Earth for over 400 million years. Its rare blue blood holds significant scientific and medical value.

In March 2019, the horseshoe crab was designated as a globally endangered species by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), and in February 2021, it was included in China's list of second-class protected wild animals.