Global scoping documents
Countries around the world often undertake conservation assessments at the national scale in order to gauge their contribution to conservation and report on national biodiversity commitments such as the Convention on Biological Diversity. Such assessments can help a country to determine whether their environmental stewardship is adequate for the species within their borders. Although most countries follow the IUCN Categories and Criteria, others modify them based on their own needs, and some even take on their own assessments independent of IUCN protocols.
Want to learn more about national conservation assessments for Syngnathids?
Read our latest report below or check out our summary briefing document here
Stanton, L.M., Foster, S.J. and Vincent, A.C.J. (2021). Identifying national conservation status, legislation and priorities for syngnathid fishes globally. Fisheries Centre Research Reports 29(2) 43pp.
Abstract
Conservation assessments are central to determining the extinction risk of species. They help drive effective management plans and regulations to protect threatened species. The IUCN Red List has led the way in assessing over 120,000 species worldwide. Given that conservation of threatened species is the legal purview of national governments around the world, it is vital that we understand species assessments and protective measures at a national scale. However, national assessments are often lacking in many countries, particularly for marine fishes, and even more so for syngnathid fishes (seahorses, pipefishes, pipehorses, seadragons). About 40% of the 278 species of syngnathid fishes are included in the IUCN Red List, on a global scale as threatened or Data Deficient. We must, therefore, ensure that national governments are engaged with the conservation of these species. We drew on databases, expert knowledge, scientific and grey literature, and other documentation to investigate national engagement with conservation of syngnathid fishes, and to identify gaps in knowledge and action. We have thus far been able to uncover information on 64 of the 140 range states with syngnathids and determined that 28 countries had completed a total of 98 national conservation assessments for 52 distinct species (16 seahorses, 34 pipefishes and 2 pipehorses). Our study found that approximately 20% of range states had completed national assessments for syngnathids.
Focusing on priority species that are classified globally as threatened or Near Threatened, our gap analysis discovered that only 13% of range states had assessed syngnathids at a national level. No range states in Africa, the Middle East, and North America had such national assessments for priority syngnathid species. Specific regulations for the protection of syngnathids at the national level were identified for half of the 64 range states with information, but were patchy and unpredictable with many prominent gaps. Legislation, where it existed, either covered all seahorses or a few species found within their waters, and some even included all syngnathids. Measures varied from constraints on fishing and/or trade to protection of syngnathid habitats. It was notable that many assessments and protective measures had been often developed in a rather arbitrary manner, without good data or comprehensive analysis. Very few countries were found to have government-led monitoring of syngnathids. In order to determine if rules and regulations are helping the conservation status of syngnathids at the national level, laws need to be implemented and monitoring programs need to be initiated. For effective management, conservation assessments need to be grounded in data and analysis, and management-tailored accordingly.
This report is intended to serve as a living document that can be updated as and when more information is discovered and becomes available. We welcome more information and updates to help improve and expand on this information. Provided below are the tables from our report that document assessments for syngnathids as well as regulations in place for each country where we could find information. If you have any knowledge of national conservation status of syngnathids or regulations in your country, please contact us and let us know! We appreciate any input you may be able to provide.
Table 2 (from the report)
A summary of global and national assessments and national legislation for Hippocampus species. Assessments were based on three approaches: *IUCN criteria; **modified IUCN criteria; ^non-IUCN criteria. IUCN Categories are abbreviated as follows: CR = Critically Endangered; EN = Endangered; VU = Vulnerable; NT = Near Threatened; LC = Least Concern; DD = Data Deficient. Species in bold are those assessed as globally threatened on the IUCN Red List.
Last update: 9 SEPT 2021
Hippocampus species |
Global IUCN Red List status |
Country and national status for species |
H. abdominalis |
LC |
New Zealand (Not Threatened)^ |
H. algiricus |
VU |
|
H. angustus |
LC |
|
H. barbouri |
VU |
|
H. bargibanti |
DD |
|
H. breviceps |
DD |
|
H. camelopardalis |
DD |
|
H. capensis |
EN |
|
H. casscsio |
DD |
|
H. colemani |
DD |
|
H. comes |
VU |
Cambodia (VU)**, Thailand (VU)* |
H. coronatus |
DD |
|
H. dahli |
LC |
|
H. debelius |
DD |
|
H. denise |
DD |
|
H. erectus |
VU |
Belize [DD]**, Bermuda [VU]*, Brazil [VU]*, Columbia [VU]*, Dominican Republic [VU]*, Honduras [Importance for eco-tourism]^, Venezuela [VU]* |
H. fisheri |
LC |
|
H. guttulatus |
DD |
Croatia [EN]* Italy [NT]* Portugal [Undetermined]* Spain [DD]** |
H. haema |
NE |
|
H. hippocampus |
DD |
Croatia [DD] *, Egypt [DD]*, Italy [NT]*, Portugal [Undetermined]* |
H. histrix |
VU |
China [Threatened]* South Korea [VU]*, Thailand (VU)*, Viet Nam [VU]* |
H. ingens |
VU |
Columbia [VU]* |
H. japapigu |
NE |
|
H. jayakari |
LC |
|
H. jugumus |
DD |
|
H. kelloggi |
VU |
Cambodia [VU]**, China [Threatened]*, Thailand [VU]* |
H. kuda |
VU |
Cambodia [VU]**, China [Threatened]*, Singapore [VU]*, South Korea [VU]*, Thailand (VU)*, Viet Nam [EN]* |
H. minotaur |
DD |
|
H. mohnikei |
VU |
Cambodia [DD]**, China [Threatened]*, Thailand (VU)*, Viet Nam [EN]* |
H. nalu |
NE |
|
H. paradoxus |
DD |
|
H. patagonicus |
VU |
Brazil (VU)* |
H. planifrons |
LC |
|
H. pontohi |
LC |
|
H. pusillus |
DD |
|
H. reidi |
NT |
Belize [DD]**, Bermuda [VU]*, Brazil [VU]*, Columbia [VU]*, Honduras [Importance for Eco-Tourism]^, Venezuela [VU]* |
H. satomiae |
DD |
|
H. sindonis |
LC |
|
H. spinosissimus |
VU |
Cambodia [VU]**, China [Threatened]*, Sri Lanka [VU]*, Thailand [VU]* |
H. subelongatus |
DD |
|
H. trimaculatus |
VU |
Cambodia [VU]**, China [Threatened]*, South Korea [VU]*, Thailand (VU)*, Viet Nam [EN]* |
H. tyro |
DD |
|
H. waleananus |
NE |
|
H. whitei |
EN |
Australia [EN]* |
H. zebra |
DD |
|
H. zosterae |
LC |
USA [Not threatened]^ |
Table 3 (from the report)
A summary of global and national assessments and national legislation for pipefish and pipehorse species where we found at least one species/state combination. Assessments were based on one of: *IUCN criteria; **modified IUCN criteria; ^non-IUCN criteria. IUCN Categories are abbreviated as follows: CR = Critically Endangered; EN = Endangered; VU = Vulnerable; NT = Near Threatened; LC = Least Concern; DD = Data Deficient
Last update: 9 SEPT 2021
Syngnathid species |
Global IUCN Red List Status |
Country and national status for species |
Anarchopterus criniger |
LC |
Brazil (DD)* |
Bulbonaricus brauni |
LC |
Japan (NT)* |
Cosmocampus spp. |
LC |
New Zealand (DD)^ |
Entelurus aequoreus |
LC |
Germany (Rare)^ |
Hippichthys cyanospilos |
LC |
Japan (DD)* |
Hippichthys heptagonus |
LC |
Japan (EN)* |
Leptonotus elevatus |
LC |
New Zealand (Not Threatened)^ |
Leptonotus norae |
LC |
New Zealand (Not Threatened)^ |
Lissocampus filum |
LC |
New Zealand (Not Threatened)^ |
Maroubra yasudai |
DD |
Japan (DD)* |
Micrognathus erugatus |
DD |
Brazil (CR)* |
Microphis argulus |
LC |
Japan (CR)* |
Microphis brachyurus |
LC |
France (Réunion) (EN)* |
Microphis jagorii |
DD |
Japan (CR)* |
Microphis retzii |
LC |
Japan (CR)* |
Nerophis maculatus |
DD |
Croatia (DD)*, Italy (DD)* |
Nerophis ophidion |
LC |
Bulgaria (EN)*, Croatia (DD)*, Estonia (DD)*, Italy (DD)* |
Pseudophallus mindii |
DD |
Brazil (DD)* |
Solegnathus hardwickii |
DD |
Viet Nam (Threatened)* |
Solegnathus spinosissimus |
DD |
New Zealand (Not Threatened)^ |
Stigmatopora argus |
LC |
New Zealand (Sparse)^ |
Stigmatopora macropterygia |
LC |
New Zealand (DD)^ |
Stigmatopora nigra |
LC |
New Zealand (DD)^ |
Syngnathus abaster |
LC |
Croatia (DD)*, Egypt (DD)*, Italy (DD)* |
Syngnathus acus |
LC |
Croatia (DD)*, Germany (EN)^, Italy (DD)* |
Syngnathus fuscus |
LC |
Canada (Secure)^ |
Syngnathus leptorhynchus |
LC |
Canada (Secure)^ |
Syngnathus phlegon |
DD |
Croatia (DD)*, Italy (DD)* |
Syngnathus scovellli |
LC |
USA (Secure)^ |
Syngnathus taenionotus |
DD |
Croatia (DD)* |
Syngnathus tenuirostris |
DD |
Croatia (DD)*, Italy (DD)* |
Syngnathus typhle |
LC |
Croatia (DD)*, Estonia (DD)*, Germany (EN)^, Italy (DD)* |
Trachyrhamphus serratus |
DD |
Viet Nam (VU)* |
Urocampus carinirostris |
LC |
Japan (NT)* |
Urocampus nanus |
DD |
Japan (Locally Threatened Population)* |
Table 16 (from the report)
Countries with syngnathid-specific legislation, regulation or other rules independent of their commitments under regional/global accords and agreements such as CITES, the Bern Convention or the Barcelona Convention.
Last update: 9 SEPT 2021
Country |
Legislation |
Argentina |
Hippocampus patagonicus declared a “National Monument” in the Municipality of General Pueyredón in Buenos Aires Province and the Municipality of San Antonio Oeste in Rio Negro Province. Based on Argentinean legislation the declaration of National Monument is the maximum conservation category that a species can have. Both declarations also change the status of seahorses from “fish” to “natural fauna” which “prohibits any act or omission that directly or indirectly involves abuse, harm, capture, or captivity of the species, except in the case of individuals collected for scientific purposes” (Ordinance 19692/2010). |
Australia |
Nationally, all species within the Family Syngnathidae (seahorse, pipefish, pipehorse, and seadragons) are included in the list of marine species under Part 13 of the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Act. As a result of this listing, it is an offence to “kill, injure, take, trade, keep or move a member of a listed Marine Species if it is in or on Commonwealth area.” Export permits will only be granted where syngnathid species: (1) have been obtained from an approved aquaculture operation; (2) are a product of an approved captive breeding program; or (3) have been taken from the wild under an approved harvesting regime under the EPBC Act”. (Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act, Part 13, 1999) https://www.legislation.gov.au/Details/C2005C00338 Specific State Regulations South Australia New South Wales: Complete protection for the Endangered H. whitei in New South Wales stating it is illegal to catch and keep, buy, sell, possess, or harm White’s Seahorse. Significant penalties for causing damage to the habitat of a threatened species without approval through actions such as boat anchoring, dredging, construction, and maintenance Works (New South Wales Fisheries Management Act, 1994; New South Wales Department of Primary Industries, 2019). |
Bermuda |
Hippocampus erectus and H. reidi are listed under Level 1 of the Protected Species Act (2003). Offences include: (1) A person who, unless authorized under section 8 or 8A- wilfully damages, destroys, removes or obstructs the habitat or nest of any protected species; (2) Or wilfully damages, destroys or injures, disturbs, uproots, fells, or kills a Level 1 protected species; (3) or takes, imports, exports, sells, purchases, or transports a Level 1 protected species” (Protected Species Act, 2003; Department of Environment and Natural Resources Bermuda, 2016). |
Brazil |
“All seahorse species figure in the Brazilian National Red List as ‘Vulnerable’ (through decree 445, issued in 2014 by the Brazilian Ministry of Environment – MMA, 2014). After its final alterations (in March 2018), it is forbidden to capture, trade, transport, and keep seahorses, excepting for research or conservation measures (under specific authorisation), unless a specific action/recovery plan or specific fishery regulations for seahorses are published by the Brazilian government. The prohibition does not apply to captive-bred specimens, and there “have been no specific legislation on seahorse aquaculture protocols in Brazil so far” (Ministry of Environment (MMA) Decree 445, 2014). |
Cambodia |
Seahorses are classified as an Endangered Fisheries Resource by the Sub-decree No. 128 (2009). Under proclamation 571 MAFF (2010), The Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries prohibits catching, selling, buying, transporting collecting, processing, and stocking of these species from natural water unless a permit is obtained for scientific purposes. Accidental catches must be released immediately and fishers must not harm or kill them (Ministry of Agriculture, Forest and Fisheries, Sub-Decree No.128, 2009; Ministry of Agriculture, Forest and Fisheries, Proclamation 571, 2010). |
China |
All Hippocampus species are listed as the national, second class protected animals of China. These species could be captured only under licence from provincial governments. Exploitation and trade require permits. Imports and exports must be declared. (Ministry of Agriculture, 1999; Wildlife Protection Act; NPC, 2018) China’s laws prohibit fishing of seahorses for all but special uses such as research, artificial breeding, teaching, exhibition, donation, monitoring pharmaceutical production, etc. (Chapter 2 Articles 8 & 9) under the Regulations of the People's Republic of China on Concession for Utilization of Aquatic Wild Animals. Artificial breeding of seahorses by research institutions for conservation purposes is encouraged and breeding seahorses for commercial purposes is allowed but subject to permit regulation. (Chapter 3, Article 15). It is forbidden to sell, buy, and use seahorses and their products. However, use of seahorses and their products are allowed for medical and health purposes but need to be approved with a permit. (Chapter 4, Article 22, 24, 26) (Ministry of Agriculture, 1999; revised in 2017). |
Columbia |
The prohibition on Marine Ornamental Species which includes H. erectus, H. ingens, and H. reidi includes 1) The extraction of native marine ornamental species from the natural environment within national territory, except those that are the object of research and/or breeding; 2) The introduction to the country of parents, eggs, species, subspecies, races, or foreign varieties that have been declared or deemed invasive by the Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development; or those potentially invasive; 3) The introduction to the country of parents, eggs, species, subspecies, races, or foreign varieties that have reported invasion in other countries, such as the IUCN invasive species database, among others. No export of Marine Ornamental species is allowed unless a breeding process and requirements have been approved. (Article 6, Prohibition on Marine Ornamental Species). |
Croatia |
Hippocampus hippocampus and H. guttulatus are included in the Regulation of Strictly Protected Species under the Law of Nature Protection. Fishing, catching or any kind of disturbance of these species, as well as trade in parts or derivatives or any kind of commercial activity is prohibited (Nature Protection Act OG 80/2013; Ministry of Environment and Nature Protection). |
Guatemala |
Hippocampus species within the Family Syngnathidae are included in the list of threatened species (National Council of Protected Areas, Resolution SC. No. 01/2009). |
Hong Kong |
Permits are required for the export of CITES Appendix II listed species (e.g. dried seahorses) and import permits are required for Appendix II listed species from wild origins (e.g. live seahorses)(Government of Hong Kong, 2006). |
India |
All Hippocampus species included in Schedule 1 of India's Wildlife Protection Act of 1972: “Prohibited to acquire, receive, keep in his control, custody or possession, sell, offer for sale, or otherwise transfer to transport. Permits are required for export (Indian Ministry of Environment and Forests 1972; 2001). |
Indonesia |
Indonesia declared an export ban on wild seahorses in response the CITES Review of Significant trade: “ban on all harvest/export quota of all Hippocampus species since the beginning of 2009” (AC25 Doc. 9.5 Addendum – Review of Significant Trade, Species selected following CoP15). |
Jamaica |
Hippocampus reidi is a protected species. The National Environment and Planning Agency established guidelines for protected fish species which advises the public to “not use poison, explosives or unauthorized traps for fishing; not trap immature fish and; not dispose of waste in any national body of water containing live fish. The act also prohibits buying, selling or has in possession fish taken, killed or injured in contravention of the Act or Regulations” (The Wildlife Protection Act, 1945; Amended 1991). |
Malaysia |
Malaysia declared an export ban on wild seahorses in response the CITES Review of Significant trade (RST): “an administrative suspension of all seahorse exports” (AC25 Doc. 9.5 Addendum). |
Malta |
Hippocampus hippocampus and H. guttulatus are strictly protected and collection of species and destruction of their habitat is strictly prohibited. Permits are only granted to carry out studies on these species for the advancement of scientific knowledge to further protect the species (Flora, Fauna and Natural Habitats Protection Regulations, 2006). |
Mexico |
All Hippocampus species in Mexico are subject to special protection. Intentional capture of wild seahorses and their trade is illegal. Recovery and conservation of species and their populations are promoted through this legislation (NORMA Official Mexicana NOM-059-SEMARNAT, 2010). |
Monaco |
Special measures are in place for species listed in Annex II of the Barcelona Protocol (1995) relating specifically to protected areas and biological diversity, including seahorses. It is prohibited to intentionally disturb, capture, import, detain, kill, trade, transport, exhibit for commercial purposes for seahorses, eggs, parts, or their derivatives. (Code of the Sea Article L.230-1, Article O.230-1) |
New Zealand |
No fishing permit authorising the taking of fish, aquatic life, or seaweed of a stock or species listed under Schedule 4C (including Hippocampus abdominalis) shall be issued unless under a set of listed exceptions (Fisheries Act, 1996; Schedule 4C, 2004). It is unlawful to target seahorses in commercial fisheries, but they may be retained and sold to Licensed Fish Receivers as regulated incidental bycatch (Pollom 2017). https://www.legislation.govt.nz/act/public/1996/0088/latest/whole.html?search=sw_096be8ed81ae1f1c_seahorse_25_se&p=1#DLM396933 |
Panama |
The capture and export of ornamental fishes is illegal (Autoridad Marítima de Panama (AMP), 2000). The extraction of coral reef fishes is regulated and includes, Hippocampus ingens (Ministry of Agriculture’s decree 19.450). |
Peru |
According to a report completed by the Peruvian Sea Institute (IMARPE) Hippocampus ingens is considered “Endangered” and vulnerable to capture and exploitation. The extraction of Hippocampus ingens is prohibited in marine waters of the Peruvian jurisdiction until corresponding studies determine that the resource can be exploited without putting its survival at risk (Marine Resolution No. 306-2004-PRODUCE). Any persons who extract, disembark and/or transport, retain, transform, commercialize, or use seahorses will be sanctioned in accordance with the provisions of the General Fishing Law and its regulations. Despite the provisions seahorse extraction activities continue, mainly due to incidental fishing by artisanal fishers. Training actions for fishers, merchants, transporters on species declared closed, protected, minimum size restrictions are offered to generate change in behaviour to contribute to the sustainability of the use of hydrobiological resources. A “Responsible Fishing and Consumption” platform was created to present relevant information on protected species and management measures for species of commercial interest including seahorses. (https://pescayconsumoresponsable.produce.gob.pe/especies-protegidas.html ; https://www.minam.gob.pe/diversidadbiologica/wp-content/uploads/sites/21/2014/02/Afiche-de-Caballito-de-mar.compressed.pdf) |
Philippines |
|
Portugal |
Seahorses are protected under Decree Law No. 92/2019 where the conservation of wild flora and fauna and their habitats and exploitation are regulated. The capture or slaughter, holding, sale, purchase for public display, transportation, destruction of habitat, disturbance, collection of seahorses is prohibited unless a license is obtained (Decree Law No. 92/2019; Decree Law No. 50/2006). |
Singapore |
Syngnathids (seahorses and pipefishes) are listed under the Endangered Species Act making it an offence under section 4(2) for anyone to possess or have in its control, sell, offer, or expose or advertise for sale, or display to public any specimens that were imported or introduced from the sea. (Endangered Species (Import and Export) Act, Chapter 92A, 2006, 2008; National Parks: Illegal Wildlife Trade, 2020). Hippocampus species are protected under the Wildlife Act that states: (1) A person must not intentionally kill, trap, take or keep any wildlife in any place unless the person has the Director General’s written approval to do so; (2) A person must not offer for sale, sell or export any wildlife (whether alive or dead), or any part of a wildlife, unless the person has the Director General’s written approval to do so; (3) A person must not import into Singapore any living wildlife unless the person has the Director General’s written approval to do so; and (4) Permits are required for import, export, killing, taking, possessing, and offering for sale of wildlife. (Wildlife Act 2000, 2020). |
Slovenia |
All syngnathids are protected from exploitation and disturbance. It is illegal to hunt, prepare, trade, export, collect, disturb, or keep in captivity (Protection of Threatened Animal Species Act, 1993). |
South Africa |
In South Africa, all syngnathids are classified as Threatened or Protected Species (TOPS) and protected under the National Environmental Management: Biodiversity Act 10 of 2004. This means that all syngnathid species within South Africa cannot be collected, handled or disturbed in any way (The National Environmental Management Biodiversity Act, 2004). The National Environmental Management: Biodiversity Act, 2004 (Act no. 10 of 2004) and the NEMA: Integrated Coastal Management Act no 36 of 2014, protect both H. capensis and S. watermeyeri from being collected, disturbed by either pollution, human interference or development (The National Environmental Management Biodiversity Act, 2004). |
South Korea |
Hippocampus histrix, H. kuda, H. trimaculatus are considered protected species under Decree No. 345 of the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries – Violations for a person who has captured, collected or damaged marine protective organisms using explosives, nets, trap fishing gear, or use of poisonous materials or current to capture or damage marine protective organisms, those who have transplanted, processed, distributed, or store marine protected organisms or those who have obtained permission to capture or collect marine protected organisms by false or other illegal means (Conservation and Management of Marine Ecosystem Act, Decree No. 345, 2019A; Conservation and Management of Marine Ecosystems ACT, Act No.16516, 2019B). |
Spain |
Hippocampus species are included in the List of Wild Species in Special Protection Regime and in the Spanish Catalogue of Threatened Species. It is forbidden to intentionally kill, injure, annoy, or disturb. Species included in the catalogue require active management of populations, implementation of specific measures in conservation strategies and action plans in addition periodic evaluation of their conservation status (Royal Decree 139/2011). |
Thailand |
Thailand declared an export ban on wild seahorses in response the CITES Review of Significant trade: The Department of Fisheries issued “interim measure to cease the issuance of export permits for seahorses (Hippocampus spp.) …. shall come into force starting from 1 January 2016 onwards, until further notification.” Export of live seahorses has been prohibited since 1988. (CITES SC67 Doc. 15 Annex 2 – Implementation of recommendations of the Animals and Plants Committees; CITES SC63 Doc. 14 – Review of Significant Trade). |
United Kingdom |
Both seahorse species found in UK waters – long snouted (Hippocampus guttulatus) and short snouted (Hippocampus hippocampus) – are listed under Schedule 5 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 as a Species of Principal Importance. This means that it is an offense to kill, injure, capture, possess or keep, damage, or destroy place of shelter, breeding or protection, disturb, transport or possess for sale or offer or expose for sale or advertise for sale or use prohibited method to take or kill (Wildlife and Countryside Act, 1981). |
USA |
No national legislation or management measures for seahorses, as they are not currently listed on the U.S Endangered Species Act. In State of Florida, “Marine Life” rule regulates tropical ornamental species, including seahorses, and extends to federal waters of the Exclusive Economic Zone adjacent to State of Florida waters. Measures include recreational and commercial bag limits, large areas of quality habitat are closed to commercial and recreational harvest and limited-entry fishery for commercial harvest (FWC rule 68B-42, Florida Administrative Code, 1991). |
Viet Nam |
Seahorses species in Viet Nam are listed on government Decree no. 26/2019/NĐ-CP as protected marine species (requiring harvesting and trade domestically and internationally to be regulated with reporting and permitting system). In support of this law, Viet Nam has initiated regulations for seahorses catches in national waters, effective March 15, 2019 – including fishing seasons and minimum size limits (Decree no. 26/2019/NĐ-CP). https://chinhphu.vn/?pageid=27160&docid=196438&classid=1&typegroupid=4 |
Banner image of Pontoh's seahorse (H. pontohi) by Tom van Hout / Guylian Seahorses of the World
[Updated 10 Feb 2023]