Abstract
Seahorses are iconic charismatic species that are often used to ‘champion’ marine conservation causes around the world. As they are threatened in many countries by over-exploitation and habitat loss, marine protected areas (MPAs) could help with their protection and recovery. MPAs may conserve seahorses through protecting essential habitats and removing fishing pressures. Populations of White's seahorse, Hippocampus whitei, a species endemic to New South Wales, Australia, were monitored monthly from 2006 to 2009 using diver surveys at two sites within a no-take marine protected areas established in 1983, and at two control sites outside the no-take MPA sites. Predators of H. whitei were also identified and monitored. Hippocampus whitei were more abundant at the control sites. Seahorse predators (3 species of fish and 2 species of octopus) were more abundant within the no-take MPA sites. Seahorse and predator abundances were negatively correlated. Substantial variability in the seahorse population at one of the control sites reinforced the importance of long-term monitoring and use of multiple control sites to assess the outcomes of MPAs for seahorses. MPAs should be used cautiously to conserve seahorse populations as there is the risk of a negative impact through increased predator abundance.
Highlights
Human uses of the marine environment have caused declines in species worldwide [1]
Mean monthly abundance of H. whitei in the sanctuary zone was significantly less than the non-sanctuary zone (18.860.9) (Table 1, Figure 2) the hypothesis that seahorse abundance differed between the sanctuary and non-sanctuary sites was supported
The significant year x site(MPA) interaction occurred because mean seahorse abundance differed between the two nonsanctuary zone sites in some years but not all years and did not differ between the two sanctuary zone sites in any year (Table 1(a))
Summary
Over-fishing, pollution, introduction of invasive species, climate change and habitat loss continue to threaten marine species [2]. The seahorses (Hippocampus spp.) of the family Syngnathidae, have 11 species assessed as threatened on the IUCN Red List. In several countries they have been over-harvested for traditional medicines, curios and the aquarium trade and several species face population declines as a result of loss of essential habitats and over-fishing [5,6]. Appendix II still allows trade in Hippocampus spp.; exporting countries must be able to certify that export of seahorses is not causing a decline or damage to wild populations
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