Seahorses are sold in liquid, or ground into a powder or incorporate in capsules and pills to treat everything from asthma to sexual dysfunction. Dry seahorses are also sold as souvenirs or aquarium pets.

Trade in recent years appears to be increasing at around 10 percent per year. Last year there were 24 millions dried seahorses traded among 77 countries for traditional medicine and souvenirs. Hundred and thousands went to aquarium trade. Many seahorse species are now designated as endangered or vulnerable and so measures have to be taken to reduce pressure on the wild populations.

Seahorse is a special and lovely marine creature. Most species are monogamous – windowed animals do not reproduce until they find a new partner and lost partners are not quickly replaced. The males play an integral and unique role in reproduction – the female supplies the eggs, but then transfers them to the male which gestates them. Male pregnancy means that young depend on parental survival for far longer than in most fish.

On 15 May 2004, 32 species of seahorses have been added to Appendix II of Convention on the International Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). That means a CITES PERMIT is required to bring in any form of seahorses or any traditional Chinese medicine that contains seahorse ingredients. Without the permit, all items will be confiscated. For further enquiries, please call Department of Conservation 09 307 9279 or CCET’s Chinese hotline 09 307 4863.