A digitally created underwater scene shows a large, towering pile of dried seahorses illuminated by a spotlight from above, symbolising mass wildlife trafficking. Text on the left reads: “New study exposes the tip of the illegal seahorse trade,” with “tip of the illegal seahorse trade” highlighted in yellow. Below, a caption states: “Millions of seahorses are smuggled across over 60 countries despite strict global trade regulations, a Project Seahorse and OceansAsia study finds.” The image is credited to Project Seahorse.

New study exposes the tip of the illegal seahorse trade

Rabia Mushtaq,

Millions of seahorses are illegally trafficked across over 60 countries despite strict global trade regulations, a Project Seahorse and OceansAsia study finds

An infographic titled "Seized & Exposed: Tip of the illegal seahorse trade" highlights findings from a Project Seahorse and OceansAsia study analyzing nearly 300 online seahorse seizure records from 2010 to 2021. It reveals that millions of dried seahorses are smuggled globally, despite trade regulations. Key visuals and facts include: A background image of a large pile of dried seahorses forming an iceberg shape. Bold headline stating 5 million seahorses were seized, worth over $21 million. Map showing over 62 countries involved in the illegal trade, with arrows highlighting top trade routes between Asia, Latin America, Europe, and Africa. A scale illustration showing most seahorses seized from passenger baggage (700,000) and sea cargo (2.3 million). Icons and facts: seahorses are used in traditional Chinese medicine, tens of millions may be traded globally each year, and seizures often include other wildlife products. Listed species most affected and their conservation status, such as the Hedgehog seahorse and Great seahorse, all marked vulnerable. A section titled "What’s needed to end illegal seahorse trade" urges recognition of smuggling, stronger enforcement, and stopping wildlife trade at the source. Bottom includes logos of Project Seahorse and OceansAsia, with a call to action: "Learn more at projectseahorse.org."
Infographic Source: Foster, S. J., Ascione, S. J., Santaniello, F., & Phelps Bondaroff, T. N. (2025). Using online reports of seahorse seizures to track their illegal trade. Conservation Biology, e70047.

A new study by researchers at Project Seahorse and OceansAsia, published in Conservation Biology, has revealed the alarming scope of illegal seahorse trade, despite strict international trade regulations. Drawing on nearly 300 online seizure records from 2010 to 2021, researchers found that approximately five million dried seahorses were confiscated across over 60 countries. These findings expose key trade routes and highlight an urgent need for stronger enforcement, better coordination among countries, with effective deterrents to curb illegal trade.

Seahorses, fishes known for their quirky features and male pregnancy, serve as powerful ambassadors for our oceans and for marine life that is vulnerable to overexploitation. Of 46 known species, at least 16 face the risk of extinction.

All seahorse species are listed on Appendix II of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), an agreement among 184 countries and the European Union. This listing means seahorses can be traded internationally, but only if the export has a permit certifying that it does not harm wild populations and the seahorses were legally caught. Yet unpermitted trade continues, illegally, undermining conservation efforts globally. 

The study found that most seizures of seahorses occurred in transit and/or destination countries, highlighting enforcement efforts at those points while also indicating the urgent need for strong action at the sources to halt trafficking before it starts. “We need to stop illegal wildlife trade as close as possible to where the animals live, while at the same time ensuring any permitted exports are sustainable as is required under CITES,” said lead author Dr. Sarah Foster, first author, program leader and research associate at Project Seahorse and focal point for trade and fisheries in the global expert group on conservation of seahorses and their relatives.

“Our analysis of seizures reveals new trade routes for seahorses, ones that involve Europe and Latin America,” said co-author Syd Ascione, a research biologist at Project Seahorse. “While China and Hong Kong remain major destinations, trade routes appear to be diversifying, and so must enforcement efforts.”

The study found that airports were the most common places where seahorses were seized, with passenger baggage accounting for the highest number of cases, although the largest volume seizures were found in sea cargo. Customs and other enforcement agencies made the vast majority of reported seizures, but only seven per cent of these had information on legal penalties, leaving it unclear as to how often seizures lead to punishment.

“All countries must step up with strong deterrents — good detective work, determined enforcement, and meaningful penalties — to shut down the illegal seahorse trade,” said co-author Dr. Teale Phelps Bondaroff, Director of Research at OceansAsia. “At the same time, we must continue using innovative research and investigation methods to uncover hidden networks and outpace traffickers.”

 

The seahorse research drew on seizure data obtained by online probing, supplemented by records compiled by conservation organizations Project Seahorse, TRAFFIC and OceansAsia. Piecing together this information was no easy task; the team sifted through scattered records to expose the tip of the illegal seahorse trade.

“The seizures we analyzed were based only on records we could find. Yet even this limited window reveals a global problem, showing that the true scale of illegal seahorse trade is likely much larger,” added Foster. “Consistent, transparent reporting and coordination between source and destination countries is urgently needed if we are serious about tackling illegal wildlife trade.”

Researchers also found that seahorses were often seized alongside other illegally traded wildlife products such as elephant ivory and pangolin scales—part of the broader illegal wildlife trade, which INTERPOL ranks as the world’s fourth largest transnational crime, after arms, drugs, and human trafficking.

While this study offers only a glimpse into the hidden world of illegal seahorse trade, it clearly shows that urgent government action is needed to ensure sustainable trade for thriving seahorse populations and their seas.

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