h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Hi,
Having read your article on sea horses raised a question after my last visit to god-daughters. We went to a garden centre and were looking around the aquarium they had and they had several large tanks with sea horses for sale. I forgot to note what types they were but I'm assuming there must be certain types/breeds that are able to be sold. What would these be and where would they originate from?

Hi, ST,

One species the Knysna seahorse, Hippocampus capensis, from South Africa, is formally recognized as Endangered. The remaining species are listed as Vulnerable and Data Deficient (i.e. Not enough known about them).

They are listed on Appendix II - species not necessarily threatened with extinction at present, but may become so unless trade in specimens of the species is controlled.

Permits must be sought for trade. Domestic policy in some countries may prohibit trade in Appendix II species.

Just a few of the countries exporting seahorses: Latin America (particularly Brazil), South Africa, Australia, Vietnam, India, the Philippines and much of SE Asia.

The listing took effect in May 2004, although four nations (Indonesia, Japan, Norway, and South Korea) took out reservations to the listing, effectively withdrawing from CITES for the purposes of seahorse trading. Obviously for aquariums captive bred are preferable, but there is still a massive trade in wild caught.

Project Seahorse proposed -- and won the approval of the CITES Animals Committee -- a minimum size limit of 10 cm for all seahorses in international trade.

Hippocampus abdominalis; Hippocampus algiricus; Hippocampus angustus; Hippocampus barbouri; Hippocampus bargibanti; Hippocampus borboniensis; Hippocampus breviceps;
Hippocampus camelopardalis; Hippocampus capensis; Hippocampus comes; Hippocampus coronatus; Hippocampus denise; Hippocampus erectus; Hippocampus fisheri; Hippocampus fuscus; Hippocampus guttulatus; Hippocampus hippocampus; Hippocampus histrix; Hippocampus ingens; Hippocampus jayakari; Hippocampus kelloggi; Hippocampus kuda; Hippocampus lichtensteinii; Hippocampus minotaur; Hippocampus mohnikei; Hippocampus reidi; Hippocampus sindonis; Hippocampus spinosissimus; Hippocampus subelongatus; Hippocampus trimaculatus; Hippocampus whitei; Hippocampus zebra; Hippocampus zosterae.

Seahorses have been imported illegally in hand luggage and have even been sent through the mail!! They should be sent officially with all the relevant papers and permits.

Catches have dropped by as much as 50% suggesting considerable overfishing, not to mention the degradation of habitat. If things continue to get worse I suspect seahorses may well be raised to Appendix l in the future. Of course the trade is essential for the survival of some small fishing communities, the real money being made by importers/exporters as per usual. CITES tries to find a balance.

Have you any recollection of what they were charging for the seahorses at that garden centre? I would be most interested.

Websailor

I've asked god-daughters mother to pop in to that centre for me. I can't honestly remember the cost or type. I know they had several tanks with various types and sizes. I'll let you know soon as I hear from them.

ST, that would be most interesting. We have an aquaria store not too far away but it is a to get to without a car, and much too far to walk.

Websailor

ST, I have just found this. No wonder there is such a demand, if captive bred can command these figures

http://www.simplyseahorses.co.uk/id1.html

You can see why there would be such a huge illegal trade. I will be interested to know what a garden centre is selling for!

Websailor

Hiya, no news as yet. As the older god-daughter has just had an operation her mother is standing in for her at work to safeguard her job so could be a week or two before I hear anything.
I'm hoping to go visit again 1st week in June as well so if I don't hear before then I'll check it out while I'm there.

Thanks. No problem. It would be interesting.

Websailor

*'s in*
Hi Webby, I didn't know it was your birthday. Hope you've had a great day.

Thank you ST,

I have had so many lovely messages all over hoo-too. It is so nice to have so many friends on here. I have had a lovely day, following a nice weekend, and some lovely s. I am shattered now,the visitors have worn me out, including the two badgers

Nite nite and thanks again,

Websailor