Seahorse Threats and Conservation Efforts
CSIC researcher Miquel Planas told Efe that seahorse species face serious threats from climate change, overfishing, and poaching. He noted that more than 60 million individuals are captured each year for use in traditional Asian medicine.
Planas, the principal investigator in CSIC’s Marine Ecology and Resources group, pointed out that rising ocean temperatures could push these animals toward extinction. Some species already seem to be losing their footholds, with ranges shrinking northward toward northern Europe as conditions change.
A researcher from the Supreme Scientific Research Council emphasized that the main dangers to seahorses include exploitation for traditional medicine and habitat loss. Depending on the species, some claims are supported by science while others remain unverified.
Forces Behind the Trade and Illegal Harvest
Mafias operate in regions with abundant seahorse populations, including areas in Peru and southern Portugal, where specimens have been seized illegally. This illegal activity continues to threaten wild populations and disrupt local ecosystems.
Thousands of seahorses were seized in Spain, notably in Malaga, where illegal catches are packed and shipped toward markets in China for traditional medicine, according to Planas.
Another major threat is habitat destruction caused by human activity. Key habitats include macroalgal patches and seagrass meadows such as Posidonia and Zostera, which are crucial for feeding, breeding, and shelter.
Spain’s Seahorse Seizures Highlight Illicit Trade
Planas notes that vast swaths of seagrass ecosystems are disappearing every half hour, underscoring the urgency of protecting these habitats.
To safeguard seahorses, Oceanidas supports the Save the Little Big Seahorse project. The initiative aims to preserve existing populations through the Marine Observers Network, which coordinates more than 2,000 divers and incorporates guidance from Planas.
Andalusia and Galicia as Key Hotspots
The Mediterranean is especially sensitive to seahorse emergence, according to the researcher, who adds that up to six seahorse colonies have been reported in Andalusia and the broader Mediterranean region, with sightings also noted along the Atlantic coast near Galicia.
Continued research is emphasized to map current distributions, since sightings in the Cantabrian Sea remain limited. This knowledge gap hampers conservation planning and species status assessments.
According to conservation assessments, Spain currently does not show seahorses in its official threatened species catalog due to data gaps. Available information indicates that the population has nearly halved over the last fifty years, underscoring the need for comprehensive monitoring.
Two Seahorse Species Found in Spain
Globally, more than 50 seahorse species exist, predominantly in Indian and Pacific regions. Spain hosts two native species: Hippocampus hippocampus and Hippocampus guttulatus. These fish are typically found in shallow waters up to roughly 10 meters deep, though Australian observations note depths of up to 100 meters in some cases.
A remarkable trait of these syngnathids is that the males carry the eggs and embryos. Females begin producing a new batch of eggs while the male incubates the previous brood, creating a unique reproductive pattern in which both parents are actively involved in early development.
Seahorses are characterized by a short lifespan of four to five years, with breeding peaks in spring and autumn limiting overall production. They lay around 350 eggs per cycle. They are also notable for swimming vertically, a trait believed to aid camouflage among seagrass meadows and to help avoid predators more effectively.
Additional notes on species behavior and habitat emphasize that, despite their small size, seahorses rely on specific vegetated habitats for survival and must be protected for future generations to thrive.
For ongoing research and conservation updates, official communications continue to stress the importance of protecting marine plant communities and the habitats that support seahorses in European waters.