Economic value estimation of public support for the Kinmen Horseshoe Crab conservation

Abstract

With the rapid decline in horseshoe crab population in Taiwan, the balance between economic development and conservation has become an important issue. Based on the random utility model of horseshoe crab conservation and economic development, we evaluated public support and willingness to pay (WTP) for horseshoe crab conservation and economic development. Our results showed that the public supported (1) horseshoe crab conservation and economic development together; (2) the inclusion of conservation concepts in elementary and middle school curricula materials and the training of conservation volunteers; (3) restoring the natural habitat of horseshoe crabs and listing them as a protected animal; and (4) issuing licensing requirements for horseshoe crab harvesting to allow the coexistence of conservation and economic development; moreover, we found that (5) female residents who have participated in conservation-related activities prioritize ecological conservation over economic development.