Our project

Seeking sustainability of fisheries and trade of seahorses in Peru

© Joshua Feingold / Guylian Seahorses of the World

Project Seahorse research has revealed a major conservation challenge in Peru: an estimated 17.3 million Pacific seahorses (Hippocampus ingens) were caught in 2022, mainly as bycatch in non-selective fisheries, and at least 4.7 million entered illegal trade. This is happening despite Peru’s national ban on seahorse capture and trade.

We are now moving from documenting the problem to finding practical solutions. Working with fishers, government agencies, scientists and conservation organisations, we are seeking to identify measures that can reduce seahorse mortality and illegal trade while working within the realities of Peru’s fisheries.

Goal

Identify conservation and fisheries management measures that can reduce seahorse mortality and illegal trade and can realistically be implemented in Peru.

Who

The research is led by Project Seahorse PhD candidate Marta Flotats, in collaboration with Peruvian researchers, government agencies and conservation organisations. The project began at the invitation of the Peruvian Government.

What we’re doing

Identifying the pressure: documenting where seahorses are caught, which fisheries are responsible, and how they enter trade.
Understanding the species: carrying out the first underwater field study of Peru’s only seahorse species, H. ingens.
Identifying what could work: gathering the perspectives of fishers, government, scientists and conservation organisations on management and conservation options that could support Peru’s wild seahorse populations.
Testing potential solutions: modelling the likely effects of measures such as where and when different fishing gears are used.
Supporting decision-making: translating new evidence into practical options for Peruvian fisheries and wildlife authorities.