Seahorse Welfare in Wild and Captive Environments

Seahorses face significant welfare threats from targeted fishing for traditional medicine, bycatch mortality, and habitat degradation of the seagrass and coral reef ecosystems they depend upon.

Key Facts

Seahorses (Hippocampus spp.) are the only vertebrates where males carry and give birth to young
Over 20 million seahorses are estimated to be traded annually, primarily for traditional medicine in China
Seahorses are poor swimmers and easily stressed by handling; they can die from acute transport stress
They are site-faithful, often mating for life and returning to the same anchor points daily
Seagrass meadow degradation directly impacts seahorse populations through habitat and food source loss
Project Seahorse estimates populations of several species have declined by over 50% in recent decades
Captive breeding programmes can supply the traditional medicine market but face significant husbandry challenges

Welfare Considerations

Wild-caught seahorses suffer high mortality rates during capture, transport, and drying for medicine or display. Stress during handling causes acute physiological distress and immune compromise. Seahorses in poorly maintained aquaria suffer from inadequate flow rates, inappropriate temperatures, and incorrect diet leading to starvation and disease. Bycatch in shrimp trawls causes widespread mortality. Marine protected areas encompassing seagrass habitats and coral reefs provide the most effective protection for wild seahorse welfare.

What You Can Do

Never purchase dried seahorses or traditional medicine products containing seahorse
Avoid buying wild-caught seahorses for aquaria; choose captive-bred specimens from reputable breeders
Support seagrass restoration projects and marine protected area networks
Learn about Project Seahorse and their work on sustainable seahorse trade and fisheries management
Reduce fertiliser runoff from gardens and farms that contributes to seagrass bed decline