Bust INTERNATIONAL TRADE IN Roe) sc oc Crotch Perera ass eae ae ac)Published by TRAFFIC Inesnational, Cambridge, United Kingdom with finn: cial support from WWF-UK, World Wide Fund For Nature. © 1996 TRAFFIC Internat Al rights reserved. nal ‘All material appearing in this publication is copyrighted and may be reproduced ‘with permission. Any reproduction in full or in part of this publication must exedit ‘TRAFFIC International as the copyright ‘The views of the author expressed in this publication do not necessarily reflect those of the TRAFFIC Network, WWF or IUCN ~ The World Conservation Union, ‘The designations of geographical entities in this publication, and the presentation of the msterial, do not imply the expres- sion of any opinion whatsoever on the pert of TRAFFIC or its supporting orga- nizations concerning the legal status of any country, territory, or area, oF of its authorities, or concerning the delimitation ofits frontiers or boundaries. ‘The TRAFFIC symbol copyright and Registered Trademark ownership is held by WWE. TRAFFIC is a joint pro- : gramme of WWF and IUCN. ‘The Species in Danger series is edited by Julie Gray, TRAFFIC International, ‘Suggested citation: Vincent, A.C. (1996) The internat horses. TRAFFIC Inteswational. trade in sea ISBN 1 85850098 2 Front cover photograph: Hippocampus reid Photo exedit: George Grall Printed on reeyeled paper.‘THE INTERNATIONAL TRADE IN SEAHORSES Amanda C. J. Vincent Department of Zoology University of Oxford South Parks Road Osford OX1 3PS: United Kingdom ise Hponcampue whieh wah newborn young “The research for this report was supported by National Geographic, the Whitley Award for ‘Animal Conservation (Royal Geographical Society) the Darwin Initiative (UK Department of the Environment), an the British Airways Assisting Conservation Scheme NATIONAL BRITISH GEOGRAPHIC AIRWAYS SOCIETY Foard0THE INTERNATIONAL TRADE IN SEANORSES CONTENTS ‘Acknowledgements Executivesummary Introduction Biology “Taxonomy and phylogeny Distebution and mobility Morphology, feeding and camouflage Lifespan and monality Reprodict ‘Methods and definitions Surveys and interviews ‘Trade calculations Seahorte nomenclature ‘Measures, currencies td tenminology Uses Seahorses in Buropean medicine ‘Seaborses in taditional Chinese medicine (TCM) ‘Seahorses in other Asian medi ‘Seahorses as aquarium fishes ‘Seahorses 88 Regional and country reports Inia Indonesia Malaysia Philippines ‘Thailand Vietoam China Hong Kong, Singapore ‘Taiwan Africa Australia Now Zealand and the Paitic Europe North America Latin Ametien ‘Trade in other syngnathids Discussion Current conservation Philippines Vietnam Recommendations References Appendices mu 106 108 109 109 4 us 118 m 14 134 46 146 7 148, 136 159{THE INTERNATIONAL TRADE IN SEAHORSES ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS took a great many brave souls and generous funding bodies to make this pot possible National Geographic gambled on my hunch and funded the vital 1993 study in Asia, ‘The Whitley Award for ‘Animal Conservation (Royal Geographical Society) then supported my 1995 Asian travel for a more detailed look. A grant from the Darwin Initiative forthe Survival of Species (UK Department of the Environment) also “supported this tip and now provides the means for my teams’ ongoing work on seahorse conservation. The British ‘Ainways Assisting Conservation scheme makes it possible to get to Asiaand back. 1 paticlarly hank Rick Gore, Edward Whitley, Shane Winser, Valerie Richardson, Hugh Somerville, and Caroline Bolton for their help, Tam enormously indebted to my assistants and interpreters: Marivie Pajaro (Philippines), Fox Wong (China), Mr. N.Ramamoonthy India), Sammy KuriakeB. (ndonesia), Ann Godderis-Coene (Taiwan), and Aniy Lau (Hong. Kong). Extra support came from John Virgoe and Ying Wang. “The two teams of people on the Darvin Initiative seahorse conservation projects collected important dats: Marivie Pajaro, Deliv Bub and Nelson Perante (Philippines) and Dr. Truong Si Ky, Do Hun Hoang, and Nguyen Van Long, (Vietnam), Halso thank the villagers of Handumon inthe Philippines for thir many contributions. Far more people. than {can mention here sent me information that I would never otherwise have discovered, and deserve thanks. Particularly significant contributions to this work came from: Cheisti Nozawa andthe Heribon Foundation forthe Conservation of Natural Resources (Philippines), Salud Ganaden and the Bureat of Fisheries and Aqui Resources (Philipines), David Melville and WWE Hong Kong, Professor Nguyen Tac An and the Institute of snd the Central Matine Fisheries Research Institute Oceanography in Nha Trang (Vietnam), Dr. A.P. Lipton (dia), Dr. $ Sinicatanachai and the Bangsaen Institute of Marine Sciences (Thailand), fr. J. W. Mosse and Pattinwura University Indonesia), ‘Their help is deeply appreciated, 12 Aquatic Resource Management (ICLARM) and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (Philippines), The Swire Insitute of Marine Sciences and The stalls), Richard Sankey and the 1am most grateful to the Intemational Centre for Li ‘University of long Kong (Hong Kong), Peter McGlone and Rudie Kuiter ( “Tropical Marine Centre (UK), Dorothy Marriott and Ann Leith, at he Department of Zoology, University of Oxford (UK), ond the many other people who have befriended and supported me all overthe world. Jane Vincent-Havelka, ‘Sandra MeCune and Peter Reffan were a wonderful back-up team in Canada and the UK, "Tho TRAFFIC Network has been very supportive from the beginning and ths facilitated this research and report, Tamespecallygratefl othe following for being so knowledgeable friendly, patent and encouraging: udy Mills ‘and Rob Pary-Jones at TRAFFIC East Asia; Jonathan Lob, Kirsty Loh and Marcus Phipps a TRAFFIC East Asia- ‘Taipet; Steven Broad and Stephen Nash at TRAFFIC Interational/ TRAFFIC Southeast Asia; Debbie Callister, Glen Sant and Colin Reynolds a TRAFPIC Oceania, TRAFFIC Bast Asia Japan and TRAFFIC Indiaalso kindly assisted with this report greatly appreciated Julie Gray's thorough and incisive editing and Melissa Bateson's help withthe figures. This report was much improved by zeaders and reviewers" insights, for which I hank themall sincerely: Ingrid Ahnesi6 ‘Steven Broad, Chen Hin Keong, Andcea Gast Rudie Kulter, David Melville, Jady Mills, Rob Parry-Iones, Mascus, Phipps, Debra Rose, Yvonne Sadovy, Glenn Sont, Dr S.Siriattanachai, Ann Thresher, snd Truong Si Ky. Yvoane Sadovy was tremendous support, My warmest thanks to Rob Parry-Jones for his exitordinary help and kindness nso many ways‘THE INTERNATIONAL TRADE IN SEAHORSES My greatest gratitude goes tothe hundreds of seahorse fishers, raders, merchants, practitioners, and associated. experts all over Asia who so generously gave their opinions and information, andoften hospitality too. Lhope this report will help seahorses without making your lives more difficult, ‘Amanda Vincent Note ilo: to 1989, the Taiwan Customs and Board of Foreign Trade used the H.S. code 18010-97 toroler mo” (eoahotses). This was mis iranslated into English as “walas (sic, ve", as has ben conkimed wit the Board of Foreign Teed. This coding was Isted In Chinese as live seahorsos bul Volumes, sources, _and compalitily with post-1989 dala for dried seahorses indicate that these eaily data rele also lo dead seahorses. Souice counites, volumes and valuos all blonded vel wih att dale for ded Seanorses, and ltonds established auving these yoars peisist i lalor yoats. Trade codes In Talvan changed in 1989, Seahorses are tereafer listed under the covect hes of Hippocampus in both Chinese and Englsh {GCC cade 05100-42003), Notes added in proot OE bine ne ee ‘wade Is laiger and more complox than we yotrealica. For oxample: ‘Conlimation of Karean involvement comes from The Koroan Phaimaceulical Traders Association, which ‘ected impor 83a of soars 1094 (we USE 00) hag ey ak 198 (woith US$70 200) (3. Keng, in tt, 17 Apa 1996). igetias now panisipatng in he uado, lh atleast one company markaing he seahorses epught in and ‘als al a price of USE460 for small and US$1160 lor largo: ee Mozsibique mis lo bn addod to tho lit of seahorse lising counties. Seahorses a6 caught by hand | ‘8 a args) catch (abou Ivo klogrammies wet weight dally pe ishet) and by bolton awl as a by-calch the goad and mackerel fishery febout one klogrammne et weight dally per boa), and thon ale sold io ‘foreigners, Cumlalvaly, is could be a large fihery ee Z ‘Japan recsives significant numbere ol seahorse rom a least one Hong Keng dealer, wno said thal much ‘ol his manthly salas of 100-2009 per manth gaos there. He was seeking access 16 a fusthe! 200k9 por ‘month in March 1995, noting thal demand was "imiless".‘THE INTERNATIONAL TRADE IN SEAHORSES EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ‘The rapidly growing trade in seahorses Hippocampus spp. for medici hitherto been investigated. ‘This report synhesises findings about the exploitation of seahorses and considers actual 5, aquarium pels, ad curios has not atives toensure ‘an possible effets on wild populations. Its goal is to promote conse 1c survival of seahorse populations, while recognising the needs of human communities that depend on them, “Material comes from the author's extensive field surveys and interviews in Asia, afew published Customs records (notably from Taiwan), and observations by biologists, Ashers, traders, and officials around the world, Seahorse jon and managem taxonomy and geographic ranges remain confused but there are probably 35 species of seahorses, most of which areexploited. “The majority of seahorses go 10 traditional Chinose medicine (TCM) and its derivatives (e.g. Japanese and Korean {taditional medicines) which have a large global consituency. Treatments including seahorses are believed to benefit a range of conditions, including respiatory disorders such as asthma, sexual dysfunctions such as Impotence, ane general lethargy and pain, ‘China's economic growth since the mid-1980s is probably the principal agent ina surge in demand for seahorses; “FCM tracers in China and TCM suppliers elsewhere report notable increases in Chinese consumption (upto 10: fold in 10 years). In response - and in part because other matine resources are declining - subsistence and small scale fishers in Asia target seahorses and many obtain the majority oftheir annual income from these fishes. Shrimp trawl boats and other fishers a their incidental by-cateh tothe total harvest of seahorses. ‘The trade involves many fishers and consumers, each of whom catches or buys relatively few seahorses, Export routes are often through ‘unofficial channels, such as personal luggage on commercial flights. ‘Atleast 32 nations around the world are involved in trading seahorses, from Ecuador, o Taly, to the USA. The largest knoven net importers are those nations with many Chinese: China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, “The largest ‘known exporters are India, the Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam. Information obtained curing Interviews, in combination with the few published Customs statisties available, ‘suggest that annual consumption just within Asian nations may amount to 45¢ of dried seahorses annually (out 16 million individuals) ‘The largest users appear to be China (an inital estimate of 204), Taiwan (11.2 recorded imports) and Hong Kong (around 10), Totals and rankings, however, should be interpreted with great ive and because it was not possible (o investigate other nations expected 10 ‘caution because data ave silt be large consumers (c.g Jopan, Korea, Malaysia, and Singapore). “Total global consumption of seahorses wil be much greater because domestic consumption cannot yet be calculated for most counties, because many nations outside Asia also absorb cid seahorses for medicines (including TCM) ‘and curios, and becanse the aquarium trade probably absorbs hundreds of thousands of live seahorses, most for salen North Amecica, Burope Japan or Taiwan. Exiracting seahorses at current rates appears to be having a serious effect on thei populations. The impact of removing millions of seahorses can only be assessed indircetly because global seahorse numbers are unknown, taxonomic identities are unclear, geographic ranges are undefined, and Fisheries undocumented, Nonetheless, ukedly. Indeed, fishers? reporis and preliminary research indicste that seahorse numbers in sample populations from Ove countries could each have declined by even 50% over the past five years, Large seahorses are considered are now accepted for TCM, aquarium fishes ‘most paicipants in established seahorse fisheries reported that catches were din ‘increasingly sare and even less-esiable seahorses, sc as jen and curiosTHE INTERNATIONAL TRADE IN SEAHORSES “Seahorse biology is such that populations wil be particulary susceptible to overfishing: (a) pregnant seahorses must survive ifthe young are to survive; (b) lengthy parental care combined with small brood size timits reproductive rate; (€) striet monogamy means that social structure is easily disrupted: (@ sparse distribution means. that lost partners are not quickly replaced; (e) typically low rates of adult mortality mean that fishing exerts a relatively substantial selective pressure; and (Flow mobility and small home ranges restrict recolonization of depleted areas. Key parameters sich as grow rates, longevity and juvenile dispersal remain unstudied. ‘Demand for seahorses farexceeds supply, according to ahmost all those interviewed. As an example, one TCM caer in China sought to buy one tonne of seahorses (perhaps 260 000 animals) from the author immediately, stating be could not obtain that amount elsewhere. Proprietary (patent) remedies are a big growth industry in FCM, with perhaps 30% of seahorses in China now being used for general formulations, Increasing demand, combined with the artisanal nature ofthe fishery and the paucity of other livelihood options for many sechorse collectors, means thal the sealorse trade can be expected to persist even as seahorse-mumbers decline ‘Available evidence indicates that consumption of seahorses should he reduced long-term persistence of seahorse ntegrated populations iso be assured, Conservation and management of seahorses would benefit from a series o measures. ‘These include: (a) promoting much-needed biological, taxonomic and trade research; (b) mouitoring, seahorse populations, imports and exports (c) enacting national and international conservation measures; (4) ‘working cooperatively with TCM communities to reduce demand for seahorses by promoting alternative hase of searses as aquarium fishes —they do very badly {ceatments within TCM; (e) cautioning against the pa in captivity; and (F) developing community-based fisheries management and aquaculture projects in seahorse ‘extraction areas. Recent smallscale seahorse conservation initiatives in the Philippines and Vfetnam are experiencing inital stecess ‘This report focuses on the effeets of direct fishing pressure on seahorses but conservation of their highly productive and highly valnerable seagrass, mangrove, and coral ref habitats should also be a priority if tong team preservation of seahorse populations is lobe a realistic objective. Seaborses could serveas popular flagship species around which to rally support for general concent in maine conservation, including habitat loss and declining fish populations. rather than “Seahorses represent hitherto unexplored gente of fisheries, those intended primasily for medici food. Conservation schemes devised for seahorses may be applicable to some of the many other fish species ‘employed in TCM (Tang, 1987).‘THE INTERNATIONAL TRADE IM SEAMORSES INTRODUCTION Seahorses Hippocampus spp. sre globally exploited foruse as medicines, aquarium fishes curios, and even foods, “They are also vulnerable to degradation oftheir seagrass, mangrove and coral reef habitats. Information from fishers and early findings from studies suggest that ed populations is declining rapidly, even as demand for seahorses expands, ‘The greatest pressure appears to come from accelerating conser spending in China, as a result of rapid economic growth: 14% in 1993, 11.89 in 1994 and about 109 in 1995 ‘number of seahorses in (Anon., 1996a). This surge in demand is recent enough to help explain why the trade in seahorses was not westigated until 1993. No seahorses ean be considered exempt froma exploitation; the trade in dead and live seahorses is thought 10 acing the known geographic ranges encompass atleast 32 countties and teritories in all continents - thus en cof most seahorse species - and new seahorse fisherles are appearing, ‘The IndoPacifc seahorses may be most immediately at risk because of theie proximity to major matkets for traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). Seahorses should be preserved for ecological, biological, economic and medical reasons, atleast: © Syngnathids (seahorses, pipetishes, pipehorses, and! seadragons) are the dominant family of fishes across ‘a wide range of seagrass hnbitals in diverse geographic areas around the world (Pollard, 1984) and are Important predators on benthic organisms (Tipton and Bell, 1988), so removing them could well disrupt seagrass ecosystems, Disturbing community integrity will present risks to other species and thus promote the loss oF biodiversity, now intemationaly recognized ss worthy of conservation, © Theextraordinary life history of seahorses - the male seahorse becomes pregnant and pats ae faithfully ‘monogamous - offers an unusual opportunity to explore our understanding of the evolution of sex differences. For example, seahorses allow biologists to test theories about how parental care limits reproductive rate in one sex and thus promotes greater mating competition inthe other sex (Clutton-Brock and Vincent, 1991); such competition for mates is thought to explain why one sex (usually mates) becomes larger, brighter, or more omamented, Moreover, sexval fidelity to one partner is proving sufficiently rare ‘among animal species to make the conditions favouring seahorse monogamy particularly worthy of study (Vincent and Sadler, 1995). ‘© Subsistence fishers in some exploiting nations obtain a substantial portion of their annual ineome from + resources continue to decline; Indian seahorses, Such dependence is likely to inerease as other fisher fishecs, for example, tured fo seahorses as sea cucumber Holothusoidea catches dwindled (Ma ‘hamy et cal, 1993), Exploitation may continue until seahorses disappear, no matter how poor the catch becomes, ‘because artisanal fishers often catch seaborses in conjunction with obtaining food for their Families, and ‘have few other income-ea 1g options The ‘© TCM employs seahorses to eat a range of conditions and ailments, some of them life-threaten icine) suggests that ie use in European met widespread use of seahorses in Asian medicine (and their hist these fishes should be evaluated for their biomedical compounds. ‘Among fishes, seahorses may be unusual in capturing public imagination. Indeed they could have sufficient popular appeal to provide an important focus for protection of their habitats and for conservation of other fish species, This is important because seagrasses and mangroves, which are important for seahorses, have not received sufficient conservation attention and because fishes are more commonly regarded as food than wildlife, sometimes with consequent loss of protection. ‘This report provides the first syathesis ofthe problems besetting seahorses, and i intended to promote action‘THE INTERNATIONAL TRADE IN SEAHORSES {or theix conservation, Itbegins with achapler on their biology, to provide the context forthe report. Thedeasthof biological studies on the most heavily fished IndoPacife seahorses froesa reliance on data from captive work and from field research on Austrian and Caribbean species, A chapter on methods follows, pointing out that most 1 research, Then follows a chapter on uses of seahorse, reM, ings inthe report emerge from the author's or noting historic Buropean medical use of seahorses but emphasizing the role of seahorses st of seahorse exploitation, Information is presented on "The core ofthe report isa country-by-countey assessn species, uses, Fishing methods, trade routes, volumes, values, eeonomic role, and conservation problems. By necessity, mich of the material Is anecdotal or comes fom informal sources. ‘These chapters lead into the ‘general Diseu countries, according tothe information available, It fecuses on those Asian regions thatthe author visited (China, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, the Philippines, Taiwan, Thailand, and Vietnam) and provides only n section. A caveat isin order: this report is very unequal in its Weatment of different ‘minimal information on other nations that may be important seahorse exploiters andor consumers (such as. Japan, Korea, Malaysia, and Singapore). The focal countries in this report are certainly among the lager and rmore-established players, but a precise assessment of relative roles will await further investigation. In pattcular, the regular references to Toiwan are owing to its detailed trade staistis and are not intended to imply {that it dominates the trade. ‘The scanty information provided for most non-Asian nations should be considered her than a synopsis of their involvement; further ative research isneeded in all countries, in order to complete a definitive analysis of tae Other members of the same family (Syngnathidee) - the pipetises, pipehorses and seadragons - are also. exploited as medicines and aquarium fishes. Aspects of ther trade are briefly presented here, as an alert that they to0 need to be monitored. “The concluding sections of the report include a general summary discussion ofthe global trade in seahorses, tatives, These seek to formation on conservation action currently underway, and recommendations for Fut 40-S0kg/month Jandayan Is, (Bobo!) Ikg/wveek (x 2 buyers) Batasan s. (Bohol) Tegfweek (x 1 buyer) Zamboanga 700.800 10 active exporters: (2) 10kg/month (ax, 30kp/mont) (6) 10-20kg/an0nth 8, 100kpmonth) ‘A sample of wo exporters provided by (a) and (0) ‘Souree: Author's research (© 120kg from Puerto Princesa (© 3200kg from just two of 20 Cebu exporters. (© 300g from just woof 10 Zamboanga exporters, “Those figures substantially exceed the total published annual export volumes for 1993 for Cebu (964kg) (Table Philippines 2). For Zamboanga, there are no 1993 records, but BPAR accounts of 16.5kg in 1992 and 56.0ke in 1994 would seem tobe improbably small amounts “Trade data for 1994 (Tabs Philippines 2 and 3) show that a tora of 2458kg of dred seahorses were exported from (Cebu and Zamboanga (2402kx plus S6kg). In 1995, there were about 300-450 deed seahorses per kilogramme in the central Viseyas and 800-1000 per kilogramme in Zamboanga, soa minimum of 765 400-1 136 900 dried seahorses were reportedly exported from the Philipines in 1995, This is far from the complete story, however, as the figure for Zamboanga is certainly too low, the Cebu figure sezms unreliable, and other areas ofthe country are ncluded inthis calculation. Itis possible that national exports could exoved 11t (4:7 million seahorses), extrapolating from the 1993 field surveysby @) applying the lower volume estimate of 40kg monthly to all 20 Cebu exporters, al 375 seahorses per ‘ilogramme (s of September 1995) and (i) applying the lower volume estimate of 10kg monthly o all 12 known seahorse exporters in Zambosnga at 900 seaborses per kilogramme (as of September 1995). Such acaleuation ‘would sill not inchade exporters elsewhere, such as Puctto Princesa, Values of dled soahorsos In tho Philippines Prices were Found to vaty acoss the country (Table Philippines $). Collectors were pad foreach dead seahorse. whereas buyers were paid by the logramme, Where seahorses were large and smooth in the central Philippines, fishers eared PS-10 per dead seahorse, In contrast, where live seahorses were the farget commodity, in Palawan, 50‘THE INTERNATIONAL TRADE IN SEAHORSES fishers got less than PI for adead seaborse. Buyers inthe central and southern Philippines were also paid at least ‘509% more per kilogramme for seahorses than those in Palawan, even though it took many more seahorses to ‘accumulate one kilogramme in Palawan (perhaps 800-1000 seahorses per kilogramme in Palawan ond Zamboanga in he central Philippines in 1993). Im the Philippines In April 1999 ee cer Lecation ‘ear aye " Baperter S Wan wea | (rd) Manila, Luzon 1000 Bolingo, Luzon 1000 Puerto Prineeso, Palawan 1 each 1200-1400 ‘Tagburos, Palawan Teach 120.1400 Roxas, Palaway OS each Leach buyers must travel far to Puerto Princesa buyers} Basuange, north Palawan 1000 (8) 2000 (M1) SantaRose, Cebu 05 each(s) 800 27300-2600 Seach (ML) Jandayan Is, Bohol teach 2300-2600 Batasaa I, Bobo! Seach teach 9300-2600 Zamboanga 1900-2000 (s) 2200-2500 (MAL) Sowrce: Aubor's research Prices inthe central Philippines have increased markedly since 1987 (Figuce Philippines 4, apparently along the same trajectory in all areas. “Giant” seahorses from Negros are valuable, wosth P3500 (USS140) for one. kilogramme (50-70 animals) in Cebu in 1993, Live sahoree exploitation In tho Philippine Trade routes for live seahorses in the Philippines Live seahorses are the target of mos fishers around Palawan, Bohol and Cebu, ‘They sel the fishes immediately tobvyers, who cither hold seahorses in cages in the sea, or keep them in bags. Most buyers supply oxygen and are «quite careful in shipping the seahorses, ifonly because a dead seahorse intended for aguacium sale generally means ‘loss of profit, Seahorses generally survive transport (perhaps two percent mortality) only to die on reaching their {oreign destinations, partly from the effects of poor handling and starvation (feeding them is usualy judged too. stale water with no air for days dificult during the export process. Some buyers ae negligent and hold the fish in great heat, with consequent increased mortality; then one sees strings of seahorses drying ahove the bags ofiving. sionals ‘Along some tae routes, secondery buyer vist the village purchase seahorses From the first buyer, in which case the latter makes very litle profit (eg, PO.S (US80.02) per seahorse.on Bohol). Otherwise the first buyer must‘THE INTERNATIONAL TRADE IN SEANORSES Figuro Phitippin 3000 2500 za i a= ceee B 16004 | 4 Zamboanga & © Puerto Pinoasa ° E1000 = 500 ° 1960 1965 «1070 ~=««1975=«t080= 198519001005 Yoar Source: Author's research take the seahorses o the exporter. ‘This wil be done every few days (c.g, rom Roxas on Palawan) or every fow weeks (eg. Busuangn), depending on local conditions and distance to the exporter, fish exporters in Manila to be sold in ‘Most live seahorses appear tobe traded through the 30 oF so ag Austcolia, Canada, Berope, Hong Kong, Japan, Singapore, Tawan and the USA. Markets fluctuate seasonally with greater demand for aquarium fishes in general during the northern hernisphere’s winter. Volumes of live seahorses traded In tho Philippines “The few volume estimates available allow only very crude judgements of total live seahorse exports, but some consistency emerges: ‘© Busuanga was a major source of aquarium seahorses, with collectors there each getting 30. on a good day. The three buyers interviewee in 1993 got 200-800 each per week, from about 15-50 collectors. Ifthey each sell an average of 500 seahorses weekly, the eight buyers could sol total of 16 000 seahorses monthly. Fishers suggest si good and six poor months, which leads fo an estimate of well over 100 000 live seahorses sold annually by this region ‘© Palawan collectors coutd get $0.60 seahorses per day if hand picking, or 120-150 per day if trawling in peak season, Fishers working as a group could even manage dally catches of 250 seahorses per person. The main focal buyer in Roxas could obiain 6000-8000 seahorses per month, although many died, Thenext level buyers in Puerta Princesa (levels 2 and 3) sent 4000-10 000 live seahorses per week to Manila, Even the lower estimate would amount to 200.000 seshorses annually, without including the oer known buyer from Puerto Princesa,‘THE INTERNATIONAL TRADE IN SEAHORSES {@ _Livescahorses fom most collectors in Bohol and Cebu are sold to buyers on Santa Rosa (Cebu). One “below 14500 per week from November to average” buyer estimated he got 100 per week in March to October: February, making an annual total of about 11 600 seahorses. Given that there are about 20 buyers in Santa Rosa, then this region may deal in over 200 000 seahorses annually. ‘Such estimates indiate that possibly half a million live seahorses each exporters in Manila every year from just these three regions, This does not take account of the many aquarium fish collectors from the large island of Luzon (e.g, Bolinao fishers could obtain about 40-50 seahorses daily iftargeting them) and the southern Philippines. ‘These calculate figures, high as they seem, are consistent with exporters’ own estimates, which jaicae that those i Manila (rom where most seahorses appear to be exported) dispatch well over halfa milion seahorses annally “There ar limits to how maay seahorses the live trade needs, and buyers are somelimes asked not to bring more, in \hich case the fish re killed for'TCM and curios. Values of live seahorses traded In the Philippines Inthe aquarium trade, “yell ‘more (Table Philippines 6). Most live “yellow” seahorses were worth PS-9 (US$0.20-0.36) to the collector, although the smallest seahorses earned only about PI-2 (US$0.04-0.08), Distance to market played a role, ‘The main Jocal buyer in Roxas had to transport her seahorses to Puerto Princesa by means of afong and rough bus ride, and she paid her local collectors very litle, Herown profits would have been limited by seahorse mortality and als by the Fact that it takes many Roxas seahorses fo produce one kilogram eahorses were always worth a least as much a5 “black” seahorses, and usually Pay to collectors and buyers apparently reflects supply and demand to some extent, but exporters will sometimes ‘minimize price fluctuations n oder tokeep suppliers loyal. Prices increased about five. to six-fold between 1979) and 1993, which is greater than @ compounded inflation re of 109%, ‘The prices paid (o Batasan fishers were ike most collectors Bohol and Cebu, sold only the smaller seahorses othe Hive paticulady high, given that they, For wih tis Banca, BainesTHE INTERNATIONAL TRADE IN SEAHORSES Philippines 6 fr live Hyollow" {¥) and *black" (B} 1993. Pree Oper seaorse eceledy: Lacation Muaoreat allie Beyer ayer porter [ee cs as veut) dod} way) | deasen Manila price up 10% 15.180) 25-40) (Luzon) from 1992.93, 14-15(B) | [USS1.0-1.6] 12-40 (8) 1012] (Uss05-1.6) (smmed Y) 15 dg¥) 7-8 (sm-med B) 10g) Bolinao prices have. 3-44) 12-16%) (Luzon) doubled since 8:16 (8) 1979 Puerto Princesa | collectors got 650%) 18.200) Palawan) PI in 1979 658) 12148) 9. (in 1292) 24 (Fin 12192) “Tagburos 5M 8 (Palawan) 3@) 5@) 2Gm¥)} — 2@mY) Roxas t 1 Gm) 5¢sm) (Palawan) 25 (med) 740) 3d) 890g) Busuanga collectors got 780 1218.0" (N. Palawan) P0308 and 5-78) 10-12(B) bayors got Pa fiom 1973-1979 Santa Rose Lem) 10 (sm¥) (Cebu) S (ened) 15 (med ¥) 2(v. sm B) 8 (mB) 10-15 (med B) Jandayan Is. collector got 5 58 Boron 3 in 1983-1985, Batasan Is, 710 Is Bobo!) | * may get-# P2 according to Nuetuations in supply and demand + trade involves lengthy travel (o Puerto Princesa Source: Author's research ry small; sm = small; med = mediuny; Ig = large. 69‘THE INTERNATIONAL TRADE IN SEAHORSES Export prices (FOR) for most seahorses In 1993 were US$1.00-1,60, but eculd reach US$2.00-2.50. One ‘exporters lai to be paying his fishers US$2.80 (P70) per seahorse seems improbable. Economic importance of the seahorse fishery ners of seahorse collectors “The seahorse fishery is economically important to thousands of people. Known m and buyers in 1993 were at least 100 on Palawan, 150 on Busuanga, 35 in just one village on Bohol, 75 on one {sand near Cebu, and 80 in just thre villages in Jolo, To these totals one musta all he oer villages on Bohol and in Jolo and the many seahorse fishers in Leyte, Samar, and Mindanao. In addition, there are those people employed in aquarium fish exporters’ shops, marino product exporters and shell eraft dealers. Aquarium fishers «argeting other animals often gain incidental income from seahorses, Bach participant willbe likely to contibute to ng village being studied on Bohol {sce Current Conservation section) has a mean of four dependents per housetol. {he income ofa large family in his practising Catholic country: the seahorse fis ‘Most people engaged in targeting seahorses are subsistence fishers; for example, these in Bohol use seahorse income first to buy ice. Collectors and buyers in Busuanga estimated they earned S0.80% of their annual income, from seahorses, ‘The fishers and buyersin Palawan andthe central Philippines who offered any estimate thought ‘hat seahorses contibuted about 30.40% oftheir annual income, with a maximum of 80% annually, and up to 90- 100% during seahorse season, Seahorse fishers turned to other activities in the short term wien these were more economically rewa ind dead seahorses vatied fron “The relative importance of trade in iv region fo region, and in time. Fishers in ‘Bohol had been totally dependent on the deed seahorse trade wen it began (around 1966) but then benefited from the developing tado in lve trade seahorses, By 1995, however, they were again relying more on dried seahorses, ‘beeause’TCM offered higher prices and steadier demand Conservation concerns about seahorses with respect to the Philippines valuations of the status of seahorses in the Philippines must be undestaken in the context of secious habitat the Philippines remain in good condition, ‘destruction; one study found that only five percent of coral reef Certainly destructive fishing techniques, including the use of dynamite and eyanide, abound (pers. obs.) ‘Current rehabilitation projects include ambitious mangrove replanings in order to reverse large-scale clearing, ‘often for fish ponds, All hose traders interviewee agreed that supply of seahorses did nol meet demand, and that buyers frequently asked fishers for more, Yet fishers and buyers from Palawan, to Cebu, 1o Zamboanga also reported that seahorse catches were declining, Seahorses in the Roxas area of Palawan hd previously been targeted by smal boat trawlers, bt seahorse numbers had decreased enough by 199% that avers were directing theirefforts to crabs and food ish instead, A fisher and buyer in Lapu Lapunear Cebu noted tha he could get 100 per night in 1977-78, but 1988, commented that it ‘only 205n 1993, An official involved in running an aquaculture project setup in Flo, ‘vas setup fo “address the problem of seahorse numbers dindling through indiscrimite fishing”: this is just one ‘example of one ofthe many testimonies offered tothe effet that seahorses were in shoct supply. “Thelong-term consequences of eatching pregnant seahorses were obvious o many fishers (although most thought these were female) and some acted accordingly. For example, one collector near Bohol started “culturing” seahorses by holding pregnant males in cages in the sea until they had given birth, then releasing the young and killing the male, This idea is being pursued on Bohol where a seahorse conservation project is underway (see Current conservation section). Box I presents acase study of conservation-telated problems.{THE INTERNATIONAL TRADE IN SEAHORSES Box 4 Bohol case study on conservation related Iesies ‘Seahorse (ching began in nolorn Bctoleround 1966, elaled Intervons of 26 seahorse shes in village on Bohol (Barangay Handumon) vere conducted by a Filipino bilogiet (Vincent otal. in prop). ‘These inclcaled that tne seahoreoe catch had decreased 68% over the 10 yoars from 1965, 54% during ‘tho five years from 1890, and 26% inthe year liom 1993. Modal calches vere {6-20 seahorees por night _duting 8 1993 pilot vis, but had decreased to 6-10 pes night by, 1995. The main buyer ol dead seahorses ‘on this island confimed that che could obian onl hall as many seahorses as ten years ago; come wacks cho oblained loss than one kkogramme insload of her previous live Klogrammes. Sho buyo tom all fishocs, 60 this indicated that total ealch had docroacod and not just catch pr lisher. Catches of probably afi tltoton of soahereo population size and sluctue because fishers scan al areas and are ‘expert al poling and colpcing seahorses. Cvotihing ad uncer sing ae lo ao for declining soaoro popilns I ho opion of potolshers, he numba of colecloslctsing on seaharees increased Hom 1015, i 885, 1620.0 0 1995._ Fishers acknowledged that catching pregnant males has probably contfibuted to the decline. One olectoutye sa 1999 hath coleced ony 20 per righ han toa of i formo 100 per ng {077-1970 because “ho eon a giao bang havesid” Fishers sperute ia ishing possum ave cauned a bonita! shi soahases on Botl are now cave mony lla, were ey coud te obtained by day 10-1 years ago. Toy alo convmonted thal hoy ust val anger bots ening 12 ‘a previously-lishod area. Although. acknowledging mismanagement, fishers also mentioned that three: Celones nth pest en jours nad seins daaged local ens, thus worsening ho problem. Fiehote on Bono! noted hal ey ware taking smal sea?orees nov. a 6th onal ofan equation trate lo Wo seaorss, ne ate 19705, ey had elt seahoreos lee han 00mm tong Bu ve eng tithing longer tha Bam n 1806, Tor avec upped by he fal hal a Klograme comping 230 pahoros i198, ba 200.450 1685 : Captive breeding seahorses In the Philippines “The Department of Agriculture embarked on seahorse culturing in Marunggas Island, just off Jolo, in 1988, but ally funded under its this was not a success (J-R. Gurail, pers. comm, September 1995). ‘The work was Rainfed Resources Development Program (RRDP) with further support from the US Agency for Intemational Development (AID), but funding ceased in 1992, ‘The project essentially involved capturing pregnant males and rearing the young in floating cages, but only about 12% of young survived even a week. Problems with disease and feeding were exacesbated by algal blooms which caused water quality (o deteriorate, This seahorse turing attempt was subsidiary to other cultures in the same project (fr sea cucumbers, seaweeds, abalones, seashells and groupers), which may have diainished its effectiveness. Fishers i Joo still sometimes use cages ‘as “fltening pens” to hold adults so they may gain weight before sae, and thus be worth more, New research into seahorse culturing has been proposed by a biologist at Mindanao State University, ia May 1995, The Bohol seahorse conservation project (see Current conservation section) currently uses cages only t0 hold captured pregnant males until they release young to the wild, prior to sale, but small-scale culturing fs anticipated, Conclusions for the Philippines ‘he eight or more species of Philipines seahorses are vulnerable to two trades, dead for'TCM and curios, and five saquorium fishes. The former are exported largely from the central and southem Philippines while the aquarium trade s centred on Palawan and Busuanga, The target fishery for seahorses has become economically important to thousands of fishers. Published statistics and extensive interviews combine to allow export estimates for died seahorses ranging from a canservative 3.6¢ (5 million seahorses) toa more tentative 1 (47 million seahorses).