Advancing marine conservation
Project Seahorse recognizes that a sustainable trade in syngnathids for the public aquarium market has a role to play in the conservation of seahorses and pipefishes (syngnathids). All consumers of syngnathids need to be mindful of the considerable pressures being placed on wild populations through habitat change, incidental capture in non-selective fishing gear, and direct …
Project Seahorse encourages the careful management of captive syngnathids so as to ensure that casual releases into natural habitats do not occur. Syngnathid populations are threatened in some parts of the world and the release of captive-bred or captive-held animals is often viewed as a useful method of bolstering these threatened wild populations. The prospect …
Project Seahorse supports environmentally and socially responsible syngnathid aquaculture. Syngnathid aquaculture has received much attention recently both as a potentially lucrative commercial venture and as a tool in the conservation of wild populations. From a conservation perspective, cultured syngnathids could serve to reduce the current exploitation rates of wild syngnathids and to meet any future …
Project Seahorse cautions against mating across different species (hybridization) of seahorses and pipefishes (syngnathids). Trade in hybrid offspring of such matings may compromise captive breeding programmes and release of hybrids poses high risks to wild populations. In order to reduce the potential for hybridization we recommend that anyone currently holding or intending to hold syngnathids: …