A Seahorse CSIC researcher describes to Efe that seahorses face threats from climate change, overfishing, and illegal trapping. More than sixty million specimens are reported to be caught annually for use in traditional Asian medicine.
The principal investigator in the CSIC Ecology and Marine Resources group notes that some seahorse species may be confined to regions like the Netherlands or Great Britain as ocean temperatures rise, pushing populations further north because of warming waters.
The CSIC researcher highlights that traditional Chinese medicinal practices include a range of recipes attributed with health benefits. Some of these benefits have scientific backing, while others do not.
Action of the mafia
Criminal networks operate in areas with significant seahorse populations. Seafront regions such as Peru and southern Portugal have seen samples seized illegally, underscoring the scale of illicit activity surrounding these fish.
Thousands of seahorses have been captured in Spain, especially around Malaga, found in illegal hunts and packed for shipment to Asia for traditional medicine use.
Habitat destruction from human activity represents another major risk, with macroalgae-dominated zones and marine plants such as posidonia or seagrass disappearing and degrading seahorse habitats.
Thousands of illegally caught seahorses have been captured in Spain, especially in Malaga.
Planas notes that large swaths of seagrass ecosystems worldwide are disappearing, sometimes within the span of mere hours as coastal habitats degrade.
Protecting this species involves efforts by NGOs and researchers. The Oceanids project Save Little Big Seahorse, guided by Miquel Planas, seeks to maintain healthier seahorse populations through a Sea Vigilante Network of more than 2,000 divers.
Andalusia and Galicia
The Mediterranean region shows particular sensitivity to the appearance and persistence of these animals, according to the researcher involved with Oceanids in Andalusia and the Galician Atlantic coast.
A specimen of the species and its distribution continuer to be a focal point for study, even as observations in the Bay of Biscay remain limited. There is a recognition that current data does not fully reflect the status of seahorses in Spain, with ongoing efforts to fill gaps in knowledge about populations and trends.
The two species expected in Spain are the Hippocampus hippocampus and Hippocampus guttulatus. Although there are more than fifty seahorse species globally, most reside in the Indian and Pacific Oceans, and Spain hosts only these two native species.
These seahorses typically inhabit shallow waters, often under ten meters deep, though they can be found much deeper in some regions, including Australian waters where sightings reach around a hundred meters. An interesting feature of their biology is the male role in reproduction. The male carries eggs and embryos, while the female continuously produces eggs for new clutches, sharing responsibilities in the care process.
Andalusian and Galician coastal habitats host these creatures as well, where their unique life cycle blends with the local ecosystems. The species’ year-to-year cycle typically spans spring to autumn, which constrains their reproductive output to roughly 350 eggs per event. This limited output, combined with their specialized habitat needs, contributes to their vulnerability.
Seahorses swim in an upright posture and often rely on seagrass beds for camouflage. Their vertical swimming style is part of what helps them elude many predators, adding another layer to their ecological story.
The environment department continues to monitor population numbers and habitat conditions to better understand the trajectory of seahorses in Spain and nearby regions. Efforts aim to improve data collection and strengthen conservation measures for both species.