Seahorses extinct in 30 years, or maybe not?

[oldharry]

Seahiorse extinct in 30 years claimed NGM a few weeks ago. Just how rare are these creatures in UK waters? NGM gleefully reported this week on his FB page that a Poole fisherman reports having found 31 in one location in about 45ft of water this week. These were Short snouted Seahorses which "tend to live in deeper water unlike the Spiney Seahorses which were wiped out at Studland bay" (NGMs own words). The actual location is of course being kept secret.

Most of those found this time were reported as juveniles, or sub adults, and a mixture of male and female. Seems to me that far from failing, the UK seahorse population is doing pretty well. In the five years I have been doing BORG I have had numerous reports from fishermen (who will have nothing to do with NGM, and refuse on principle to report seeing them) of their presence all along the S Coast. Many claim it is not unusual to see half a dozen at a time on their gear. They are regularly seen throughout the Solent, including Chichester, Langstone and Portsmouth harbours.

With just one man doing the research throughout the UK, it seems unlikely that there can be any realistic picture of the location and whereabouts of a species who are masters at camouflage, and because of their diminutive size are extremely difficult to spot. particualrly if that one 'expert' insists on looking in one place, and has scared them away, exactly as predicted by other seahorse experts.

 

[Nicholas123]

I'd be more concerned about human beings going extinct the way we are going."Conservationists" seem to be intent on ignoring the bigger picture.Which makes me think they know sod all & are just nurturing their own little private kingdoms.

The way things are going with incoming migrants flooding into this area & the destruction of the whole natural environment.I should think in thirty years time much more than just seahorses will be a fond memory of the past. :disgust:

 

[doug748]

I was wondering what the National Marine Aquarium were doing about Seahorses. About 15 years ago they announced they were very interested in the lovable creatures but all has gone quiet. I found this:

https://secure.thebiggive.org.uk/projects/view/9555/saving-seahorses

They have no idea about Seahorse populations in the Sound (which washes around their doorstep) but plan to find out. It could be that the recent popularity of the subject has woken them up. I am sure there will be no bad Science of the "we have no idea - but things are bad" variety. And as yet here is no evidence that they intend to do anything silly; the talk is of "consultation and multi- user group participation"

However, looking at the list of people involved in this fine initiative we see:

- Neil Garrick-Maidment - our friend from the Seahorse Trust.

Given that one very old anchorage has recently been restricted in Plymouth Sound:

http://www.ybw.com/forums/showthrea...e-anchorage-lost&highlight=plymouth+anchorage


.....we will need to keep an eye on this project.

 

[Nicholas123]

It's NGM that needs to go on the endangered species list.Where is seajet & his legendary bazooka when you need him!

 

[Grumpybear]

I was wondering what the National Marine Aquarium were doing about Seahorses. About 15 years ago they announced they were very interested in the lovable creatures but all has gone quiet. I found this:

https://secure.thebiggive.org.uk/projects/view/9555/saving-seahorses

They have no idea about Seahorse populations in the Sound (which washes around their doorstep) but plan to find out. It could be that the recent popularity of the subject has woken them up. I am sure there will be no bad Science of the "we have no idea - but things are bad" variety. And as yet here is no evidence that they intend to do anything silly; the talk is of "consultation and multi- user group participation"

However, looking at the list of people involved in this fine initiative we see:

- Neil Garrick-Maidment - our friend from the Seahorse Trust.

Given that one very old anchorage has recently been restricted in Plymouth Sound:

http://www.ybw.com/forums/showthrea...e-anchorage-lost&highlight=plymouth+anchorage


.....we will need to keep an eye on this project.

And his colleague at the SHT, Mr Gibson, was until very recently director of the NMA. No idea why he left, but the aquarium seems to me to have become rather down at heel looking of late, with fewer fish than it used to have.

As a regular visitor to the NMA I have noticed that their heavily anti boater (Barbie doll on a model jet ski dropping a grapnel anchor on a seahorse) message has been toned down of late.