SEAHORSES

In Australia there is more demand than supply for both the national and international market for ornamental Seahorse.

The demand for different species of Seahorse as pets is likely to increase as fads change. The demand for seahorse in the Traditional Chinese Medicinal (TCM) herb market is high internationally, and there is an additional demand for curios. Exports go to America, Japan, Canada, Germany, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Korea, China and Indonesia.

It is predicted that supply will increase in 10-15 years time as more people become aware of the 'breeding in captivity' business and conservation opportunities. The majority of Seahorses are currently being harvested from the wild. The threat of extinction is high - therefore cultivation of Seahorse is necessary to sustain wild populations.

The volume of Seahorse harvested for TCM is high and unsustainable. Forty million seahorses per year are exported to Asian markets. Dried seahorse is highly prized in Chinese medicine; retail ranges from US $900 - US $2000 per kilo. TCM is recognised by the World Health Organisation as a viable healthcare option, playing a curative role in many ailments. As western societies seek out alternative methods of medicine for general health and well being, the demand for seahorse is likely to rise. Common species used include H. kelloggi (Kellogg's seahorse), H. histrix (thorny seahorse), H. kuda (yellow seahorse), H. trimacullatus (low-crowned seahorse).

The second most popular hobby today is fish-keeping, and the market for Seahorses as aquarium pets is growing. Currently only 10% of the aquarium market is held by marine life. Experts predict that marine aquarium and live coral reefs are a trend of the future and the seahorse family (sygnathidae) is listed as one of the species becoming increasingly popular. A majority of seahorses currently supplied to aquarium trade are wild-caught. Due to mishandling, stress in shipment and being fed incorrectly, of the five million that are sold each year, fewer then one thousand survive the first six weeks. Aquarium markets demand of bright colour, larger size and possessing ornate features, like the H. baubori with spikes. Additionally H abdominalis and H kuda are also very popular.

Because Seahorse longevity ranges from 1-10 years a consistent demand for Seahorse is predicted. The curio market consumes more then one million seahorses per year. Some have died of natural causes and have been found washed up on the beach, but most are captured and hung or laid out to dry to be hung from pendants and framed.

Meeting the demands of the market through Seahorse cultivation is currently an aquaculture in its early stages. It is very unique from most. It is the 'male' Seahorse who plays the role of incubating the embryos and enduring the labour of the birth. The female transfers the eggs into the male's pouch. Gestation occurs in some species for 21-24 days. Some species of Seahorse will reproduce less then ten offspring per pregnancy, however other species can produce up to fifteen hundred per pregnancy. Additionally, seahorse have an appetite for live food and are prone to manifold bacterial, fungal and parasitic ailments, when fish veterinary science is still in its infancy. Seahorse breeding seasons vary. For example, the H whitei will be pregnant for three weeks and will be continuously pregnant throughout the breeding season. Its breeding season is in warmer water periods as it moves location in winter months, returning when the water is warm to breed once again. It is therefore probable that if water temperature is controlled in a captive environment and seahorse were susceptible, breeding could take place all year round.

The following statement was taken from a landline radio program and confirms the conservation concerns in the industry.

"How much more growth is in the Australian market? Well unfortunately all the operators feel that as a result of overfishing in the northern hemisphere, it won't be long before seahorse farms in Australia will be supplying dried seahorses for the Asian medicinal trade."

Legislation, Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Flora and Fauna (CITES) now include all seahorse Genus Hippocampus, effective from May 15, 2004, which will reduce current black market sea-captured seahorse and encourage captivity bred seahorse. Seahorse cultivation is necessary for the ongoing supply of the high demand market ensuring a superior animal in terms of quality, feeding and survival which will entice consumers to demand cultured animals and therefore conserving current endangered wild species.

-Simone