Seahorses

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Seahorses are under threat worldwide

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Seahorses compose the fish genus Hippocampus within the family Syngnathidae, in order Syngnathiformes. Syngnathidae also includes the pipefishes. "Hippocampus" comes from the Ancient Greek hippos meaning "horse" and kampos meaning “sea monster”.

There are nearly 50 species of seahorse. They are mainly found in shallow tropical and temperate waters throughout the world. They prefer to live in sheltered areas such as seagrass beds, estuaries, coral reefs, or mangroves. Colonies have been found in European waters such as the Thames Estuary. From North America down to South America there are approximately four species, ranging from the very small (dwarf seahorses are only about 2.5 cm (0.98 in)) to much larger specimens off the Pacific Coast of Central America (the foot-long H. ingens). H. erectus are larger seahorses that range from Nova Scotia to around Uruguay. Three species live in the Mediterranean Sea: H. guttulatus (long snout), H. hippocampus (short snout) and H. fuscus (immigrated from the Red Sea). These fish form territories, with males staying in about 1 square meter (11 sq ft) of their habitat while females range about one hundred times that area. They bob around in sea grass meadows, mangrove stands, and coral reefs where they adopt murky brown and gray patterns to camouflage themselves among the sea grass. During social moments or in unusual surroundings, seahorses turn bright colors.

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Seahorse - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

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The Seahorse Trust - YouTube

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Threats

Seahorses are under threat worldwide for three main reasons:

The Traditional Chinese Medicine Trade takes in excess of 20 million seahorses a year from the wild and these are used for all types of medicine.

The Curio Trade takes approximately one million seahorses from the wild. Along with shell and star -fish, they are deliberately taken from the sea and left to die in the boiling sun. They are then sold as souvenirs.

The pet trade takes an estimated one million seahorses. It is thought that less than 1,000 [survive (?)-ed.] more than six weeks, very often suffering a slow and possibly painful death.

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Seahorse Facts | The Seahorse Trust

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Seahorses: Freaky Fish | Nat Geo Wild

Cross the globe to find the reasons for the decline of the seahorse and see what hope there is for the future of these unique ocean dwellers.

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Marine Conservation Organizations

UNDER CONSTRUCTION (initial partial list)
- more later

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The Seahorse Trust

Seahorses are a very unique fish species that occupy the coastal areas of most of the world and it is these very areas that are most under threat, being vulnerable to human and natural interference they suffer badly and by working together we can make a difference to their futire and the future of these fragile eco-systems.

The Seahorse Trust is a charitable organisation for:

Research into Seahorses and the environment worldwide

Education about Seahorses, marine conservation and the environment worldwide
The enjoyment of Seahorses and the natural world

This site is for everyone who cares about the welfare of Seahorses and the environment.

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Seahorse Links

British Seahorse Survery http://www.theseahorsetrust.org/research.aspx
Project Seahorse seahorse.fisheries.ubc.ca
Save Our Seahorse www.sosmalaysia.org
hippocampus-info www.hippocampus-info.com
Fused Jaw www.fusedjaw.com
Seahorse Aquariums www.seahorseaquariums.com
BMAA Forum www.bmaa-forum.co.uk
Projects Abroad Cambodia http://www.projects-abroad.co.uk/volunteer-projects/conservation-and-environment/cambodia/
Marine, Conservation and Natural History Links

Sea Life www.visitsealife.com
Weymouth Sea Life Park www.visitsealife.com/weymouth
British Marine Life Study Group
http://www.facebook.com/groups/

112629298750125/336869989659387/

Marine Conservation Society www.mcsuk.org
Care for the Wild International www.careforthewild.com
National Marine Aquarium www.national-aquarium.co.uk
BBC Autumn Watch www.bbc.co.uk/autumnwatch
Torbay Coast and Countryside Trust www.countryside-trust.org.uk
Natural England www.naturalengland.org.uk
Devon Wildlife Trust www.devonwildlifetrust.org
Marine Management Organistaion www.marinemanagement.org.uk
African Conservation Experience www.conservationafrica.net/

Patrons
Nick Baker www.nickbaker.tv
Kate Humble www.katehumble.com
Chris Packham www.chrispackham.co.uk
Kirsty Jones www.kirstyjones.com
Mark Carwardine www.markcarwardine.com

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The Seahorse Trust | Links

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GulfBase - Seahorse Key Marine Laboratory (SHKML)

In 1951 the University of Florida established the Marine Laboratory at Seahorse Key. The SHKML is a field station committed to providing (a) support for research by students, faculty, and visiting scientists, (b) an outstanding teaching program in coastal and marine related subjects, and (c) support for public education related to marine, estuarine and coastal biotic resources. Because Seahorse Key is part of the Cedar Keys National Wildlife Refuge and is near to diverse and extensive coastal biotic resources, programs associated with the field station are viewed broadly in contexts of coastal and estuarine ecology, wetlands research, wildlife management and conservation, in addition to the marine sciences.

The oceans are downstream of everything. And they don't have an endless capacity to absorb waste. In fact, every year people dispose of 161 million gallons of used motor oil improperly—an amount greater than the Exxon Valdez oil spill. Much of this oil ends up in waterways and the oceans, where it takes a tremendous toll on aquatic life. By being careful about oil and other substances, you can help keep ocean waters clean. - Ocean Conservancy

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Species-specific Marine Conservation Organizations - MarineBio.org

MarineBio is deeply committed to marine conservation and founded on the concept that, by sharing the wonders of the ocean and marine life, people will be inspired to protect it.

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Species-specific Marine Conservation Organizations - MarineBio.org

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