Over 37 million seahorses are traded annually for traditional medicine, aquariums, and curios. They are captured alive and dried, and live transport mortality is extremely high. The trade is largely unregulated and threatens wild populations globally.
Seahorses captured in trawl nets experience the same barotrauma and mechanical injury as other bycatch species. Live seahorses targeted for the aquarium trade face transport mortality from stress and poor water quality. The drying process for traditional medicine begins while fish are still alive. Seahorses in captivity have specific welfare requirements including live food provision that is frequently unmet in retail and home aquarium contexts.