Big-belly seahorse  (Hippocampus abdominalis)

The main global threats to the big-belly seahorse are habitat loss, incidental by-catch in commercial fisheries and over-exploitation (7). Although this species is sold locally and internationally for the aquarium trade and collected and dried for use in the oriental medicine trade, typically as a tonic and as an aphrodisiac, such exploitation is strictly controlled in Australia (5). Similarly, while it has been recorded as by-catch, numbers are generally low and many core habitats are not fished with trawl gear (7).

A pressing requirement to assist in the conservation of this species is the need for further research on the big-belly seahorse. In order to effectively conserve a species, its biology, ecology, range and abundance must be fully understood and the threats facing it must be known (11). In addition, Marine Protected Areas need to be established to provide areas in which the species is protected (3). In November 2002 all seahorses were listed on Appendix II of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES); this means that the massive trade in seahorses must be regulated to ensure that the survival of wild populations is not threatened. However, Indonesia, Japan, Norway and South Korea have opted out of the listing for seahorses (4).