Malaysia has three of the world’s four horseshoe crab (belangkas) species, namely Carcinorcorpius Rotundicauda, Tachypleus Tridentatus and Tachypleus Gigas, while Limulus Polyphemus is only found in North America.

Universiti Malaysia Terengganu (UMT) Translational Research Project Leader, Professor Dr Noraznawati Ismail said, Tachypleus Gigas and Carcinorcorpius Rotundicauda species are found in the waters of Kemaman, Terengganu, especially in Kuala Kemaman.

According to her, horseshoe crab is a prehistoric animal or known as a fossil animal that existed since 200 million years ago and is still alive and breeding until today.

“Various initiatives have been carried out by a group of independent researchers from UMT in an effort to protect the ancient animals that are threatened with extinction.

“However, it needs to be done on a large scale and involve various layers of society,” he said in a statement on Sunday in conjunction with the celebration of World Drafting Day which is celebrated every June 20.

Prof. Dr. Noraznawati said, the release program of 1,469 sorseshoe crab seeds in the waters of Kemaman can meet the needs of the project that involves spawning, hatching and releasing activities as well as producing bengalkas pilots involving the local community.