Director's Foreword

This volume provides the first synthesis of information on the trade in syngnathid fishes (seahorses, pipefishes and seadragons) in countries outside of Asia.  Their consumption for use in traditional medicine, aquarium displays and curiosities is thought to threaten the persistence of many syngnathid species. The trade was originally documented in 1996, when it was shown that Asian countries contributed substantially to the international trade in seahorses. 

Project Seahorse researchers undertook a broad geographic survey of the syngnathid trade in 1998-2001 to ascertain its full international scope. The ensuing analyses for the surveyed countries outside Asia are compiled in this report, which reveals that syngnathids are (often newly) traded by nations from every continent in the world, outside Antarctica, including most non-Asian countries surveyed.

This report provides a very important tool in support of a new international instrument.  Since 2004, seahorse exports have been regulated under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). Their listing on Appendix II obliges the 175 signatory nations to limit exports to levels that will not damage wild populations. The data in this report, never before brought together in a volume, contributed to that decision and would continue to inform countries’ actions in implementing CITES.

I congratulate the authors of the report for this important piece of work.

U. Rashid Sumaila

Director and Associate Professor

UBC Fisheries Centre

CONTENTS

Director’s Foreword
Executive Summary
Introduction
Methods
Results
Chapter 1. Trade in seahorses and other syngnathids in Africa
Abstract
Background for Kenya and Tanzania
The seahorse trade in Kenya
Seahorses catches in Kenya
Dried seahorse trade in Kenya
Live seahorse trade in Kenya
Other syngnathid species in Kenya
Conservation concerns about syngnathids in Kenya
Conclusions for Kenya
The seahorse trade in Tanzania
Seahorse catches in Tanzania
Dried seahorse trade in Tanzania
Live seahorse trade in Tanzania
Economic importance of the seahorse fishery in Tanzania
Other syngnathid species in Tanzania
Conservation concerns about syngnathids in Tanzania
Conclusions for Tanzania
The seahorse trade in Mozambique
Seahorse catches in Mozambique
Dried seahorse trade in Mozambique
Live seahorse trade in Mozambique
Other syngnathid species in Mozambique
The seahorse trade in South Africa
Background for South Africa
Dried seahorse trade in South Africa
Live seahorse trade in South Africa
The seahorse trade in other African countries
Conclusions for the seahorse trade in Africa
References
Chapter 2. Seahorse trade in the USA and Canada
Abstract
Background for the USA and Canada
Seahorse catches in the USA and Canada
Dried seahorse trade in the USA and Canada
Live seahorse trade in the USA and Canada
Other syngnathid species in the USA and Canada
Conservation concerns about syngnathids in the USA and Canada
Conclusions
References
Chapter 3. Seahorse trade in Mexico
Abstract
Background for Mexico
Seahorse catches in Mexico
Dried seahorse trade in Mexico
Live seahorse trade in Mexico
Other syngnathid species in Mexico
Conservation concerns about syngnathids in Mexico
Comparison to 1996 survey findings
Conclusions
References
Chapter 4. Seahorse trade in Central America
Abstract
Background for Central America
The seahorse trade in Belize
Seahorse catches in Belize
Dried seahorse trade in Belize
Live seahorse trade in Belize
Conservation concerns about syngnathids in Belize
The seahorse trade in Costa Rica
Seahorse catches in Costa Rica
Dried seahorse trade in Costa Rica
Live seahorse trade in Costa Rica
Conservation concerns about syngnathids in Costa Rica
The seahorse trade in Guatemala
Seahorse catches in Guatemala
Dried seahorse trade in Guatemala
Live seahorse trade in Guatemala
Conservation concerns about syngnathids in Guatemala
The seahorse trade in Honduras
Seahorse catches in Honduras
Dried seahorse trade in Honduras
Live seahorse trade in Honduras
Conservation concerns about syngnathids in Honduras
The seahorse trade in Nicaragua
Seahorse catches in Nicaragua
Dried seahorse trade in Nicaragua
Live seahorse trade in Nicaragua
Conservation concerns about syngnathids in Nicaragua
The seahorse trade in Panama
Seahorse catches in Panama
Dried seahorse trade in Panama
Live seahorse trade in Panama
Conservation concerns about syngnathids in Panama
Other syngnathid species in Central America
Comparison to 1996 survey findings
Conclusions
References
Chapter 5. Seahorse trade in South America
Abstract
Background for South America
The seahorse trade on the Atlantic Coast: Argentina
Seahorse catches in Argentina
Dried seahorse trade in Argentina
Live seahorse trade in Argentina
The seahorse trade on the Atlantic Coast: Brazil
Seahorse catches in Brazil
Dried seahorse trade in Brazil
Live seahorse trade in Brazil
Other syngnathid species in Brazil
Conservation concerns about syngnathids in Brazil
Conclusions for Brazil
The seahorse trade on the Atlantic Coast: Surinam
Dried seahorse trade in Surinam
The seahorse trade on the Atlantic Coast: Venezuela
Dried seahorse trade in Venezuela
The seahorse trade on the Pacific Coast: Bolivia
Dried seahorse trade in Bolivia
The seahorse trade on the Pacific Coast: Chile
Dried seahorse trade in Chile
The seahorse trade on the Pacific Coast: Ecuador
Seahorse catches in Ecuador
Dried seahorse trade in Ecuador
Live seahorse trade in Ecuador
Other syngnathid species in Ecuador
Conservation concerns about syngnathids in Ecuador
Conclusions for Ecuador
The seahorse trade on the Pacific Coast: Peru
Seahorse catches in Peru
Dried seahorse trade in Peru
Live seahorse trade in Peru
Other syngnathid species in Peru
Conservation concerns about syngnathids in Peru
Conclusions for Peru
Comparison to 1996 survey findings for South America
Conclusions for South America
References
Chapter 6. Seahorse trade in Europe
Abstract
Background for Europe
Seahorse catches in Europe
Dried seahorse trade in Europe
Live seahorse trade in Europe
Other syngnathid species in Europe
Captive breeding of Syngnathidae in Europe
Conservation concerns about syngnathids in Europe
Conclusions
References
Chapter 7. Syngnathid trade in Australia
Abstract
Background for Australia
Seahorse catches in Australia
Dried seahorse trade in Australia
Live seahorse trade in Australia
Economic importance of the seahorse fishery in Australia
Pipefish, pipehorse, and seadragon trade in Australia
Pipefish, pipehorse, and seadragon catch in Australia
Dried pipefish and pipehorse trade in Australia
Live pipefish and seadragon trade in Australia
Economic importance of the pipefish, pipehorse, and seadragon fishery in Australia
Conservation concerns about syngnathids in Australia
Comparison to 1996 survey findings
Conclusions for the syngnathid trade in Australia
References
Chapter 8. Syngnathid trade in New Zealand
Abstract
Background for New Zealand
Syngnathid catches in New Zealand
Dried syngnathid trade in New Zealand
Live syngnathid trade in New Zealand
Conservation concerns about syngnathids in New Zealand
Comparison to 1996 survey findings
Conclusions
References
Chapter 9. Syngnathid trade in the South Pacific
Abstract
Background for the South Pacific
Syngnathid catches in the South Pacific
Dried syngnathid trade in the South Pacific
Live syngnathid trade in the South Pacific
Economic importance of the syngnathid fishery
Conservation concerns about syngnathids in the South Pacific
Comparison to 1996 survey findings
Conclusions
References