Celebrating 20,000 observations with iSeahorse: a milestone for seahorse conservation and community science

iSeahorse, Project Seahorse’s global community science platform that encourages ocean enthusiasts to report seahorse sightings and help fill critical research gaps, reached a major milestone with 20,000 observations.

The 20,000th observation was of White’s seahorse (Hippocampus whitei), uploaded by Mike Jones, a diver and an enthusiastic contributor to the iSeahorse project, hosted on iNaturalist.

“Of all the ocean’s tiny creatures, few spark such imagination and joy as seahorses. Delicate, beautiful, extraordinary. Finding them is a game of hide and seek. Photographing them is a test of patience and stillness. But taking that photo is also a responsibility, something to share and contribute to the scientific community and future knowledge,” said Mike Jones.

These 20,000 observations span nearly 100 countries and represent 40 of the 46 known charismatic seahorse species, all made possible by over 3,600 iSeahorse champions around the world. Together, these sightings have become the most powerful global data sets for addressing gaps in seahorse distribution, behaviour and conservation status.

“Celebrating this milestone is a powerful reminder of what community science can achieve,” said Dr. Sarah Foster, Program Leader at Project Seahorse and iSeahorse creator. “A heartfelt thank you to the thousands of citizen scientists championing iSeahorse around the world, and to iNaturalist for hosting the platform and bringing this community together. Every sighting represents a moment of curiosity and care for advancing seahorse science and conservation.”

Here are three success stories on how seahorse sightings have helped turn iSeahorse observations into data, and data into insights for conservation.

1. Advances in life-history knowledge of 35 species

   Project Seahorse researcher Elsa Camins, analysed over 7,700 iSeahorse observations from 96 countries, generating new insights into the life-history and habitat use of 35 seahorse species. Thanks to the dedication of community scientists around the world, seahorses are now being documented in previously unknown habitats, across expanded geographic ranges, and at greater ocean depths than ever recorded before.

   Today, these findings are directly informing global conservation status updates and extinction-risk assessments (IUCN Red List), helping scientists and policymakers better understand where seahorses live and how best to protect them.“Beyond the data, iSeahorse reflects a shared curiosity around these magical fishes,” said Elsa Camins, Project Seahorse research biologist and the Red List Authority Coordinator for the IUCN Seahorse, Pipefish and Seadragon Specialist Group. “That curiosity is helping generate new scientific insights while strengthening the link between people and conservation.”

   Read the full paper: Advances in life-history knowledge for 35 seahorse species from community science

2. New insights on seahorses of Tampa Bay

   In partnership with Tampa Bay Watch, a non-profit organisation based in Florida, USA, we led a five-year, community-driven initiative to monitor two local seahorse species: the lined seahorse (Hippocampus erectus) and the dwarf seahorse (Hippocampus zosterae).Through this initiative, we found new insights on seahorse population trends and reproductive behaviour.

   Findings revealed an extended breeding season for both species and documented the first recorded body-length measurements for the dwarf seahorse, filling a critical gap in scientific knowledge for one of the world’s smallest seahorse species.These insights are helping researchers better understand how seahorses use coastal habitats and how local conservation actions can support their long-term survival.

   Read the full paper: Harnessing community science for seahorse population monitoring: insights from the iSeahorse programme in Tampa Bay

3. From community science to Marine Protected Area
   
   Seahorse sightings reported through the iSeahorse project helped us identify a seahorse “hot spot” in the Philippines. We shared these findings with local community members and worked closely with them to understand what the data showed and how they could be used.

   Our discussions led to the establishment of a new Marine Protected Area (MPA) in Anda, Bohol, as well as the expansion of another nearby MPA, showing how community science can directly support local marine conservation action.

   “iSeahorse proves that community science can meaningfully shape marine conservation. These observations help ensure seahorses are considered in ocean management decisions…where it matters most,” said Prof. Amanda Vincent, Co-founder and Director, Project Seahorse.

Reaching 20,000 iSeahorse observations is both a milestone and a reminder of how much there is still to learn about seahorses. Each new sighting helps build a clearer picture of where seahorses live, how they use their habitats, and how best to protect them.

If you spot one underwater, don’t forget to snap a photo and share your sighting with the iSeahorse project on iNaturalist.

Learn more at www.iseahorse.org