Underwater News

iSeahorse: Saving seahorses through citizen science

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Have you ever spotted a seahorse during one of your dives?
\r\nThen youve experienced the exhilaration these incredible animals can bring you, just by being in their presence. Seahorses are such intriguing and charismatic creatures. Yes, they are fish, but they sure don?t look like it. They are masters of camouflage and are biologically unique given that the males give birth. The more you learn about seahorses, the more fascinating they become.
\r\nAs a diver, you probably also know that seahorses are challenging to find. Unfortunately, their remarkable camouflaging capabilities and their vast geographical range make it difficult for scientists to study them in the wild.

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Why do we need to study seahorses?
\r\nAs amazing as these amazing animals are, they are also at risk. Seahorses are threatened by overfishing and habitat destruction, as they mainly inhabit shallow, coastal waters that are highly influenced by human activity. Additionally, millions of seahorses are caught and traded globally each year for use in aquarium displays, traditional Chinese medicine, and curios.
\r\nTo date, 11 seahorse species are listed as threatened on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, while 26 species are listed as ?Data Deficient?, meaning we don?t even know enough about them to assess their conservation status. Moreover, some species haven''t even been assessed yet.
\r\nIf we want to protect and preserve the world?s seahorses, we desperately need more data. With only a handful of scientists studying seahorses in the wild, this is a real challenge. This is where you and iSeahorse come in.

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iSeahorse: become a seahorse citizen scientist today
\r\niSeahorse is a project initiated by Project Seahorse, a marine conservation group dedicated to the conservation and sustainable use of the world''s coastal marine ecosystems. It is a tool that harnesses the power of "citizen science" to expand our understanding of seahorses so we can better protect them. Basically anyone, anywhere in the world can contribute to seahorse science and conservation. Whether you''re an amateur or an expert, or somewhere in between, if you?ve seen a seahorse in the wild, you can help make a difference.
\r\nIf you spot a seahorse during one of your dives, snap a photo if possible, and report your sighting on http://iSeahorse.org or through the iSeahorse smartphone app. All you have to do is register for an account, add your observation data and photos, and submit it. Once uploaded, your observations become part of a growing global database that is accessible to scientists and conservationists around the world.

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In case you can''t identify the seahorse species you saw, there are some great free ID guides available on the iSeahorse website to help you. Other users and seahorse experts are also able to view your observation and can support you with your species identification.

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iSeahorse isn''t just a database, it''s a community of citizen scientists, conservationists, experts and more, all working towards a common goal: to expand our knowledge and protect seahorses, and the marine ecosystems they call home.
\r\nSign up today, spread the word and make a difference.

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Want to become more involved?
\r\nIf you dive regularly in areas where there are seahorses, you could become an underwater population trends monitor for Project Seahorse. As a population trends monitor, you''ll be helping experts learn where wild populations are, what threats they face, and whether they are growing or shrinking.
\r\nProject Seahorse has also created a PADI Seahorse Distinctive Specialty. Interested divers can contact Lindsay Aylesworth (l.aylesworth@projectseahorse.org) for more information.

\r\n\r\nFollow @ProjectSeahorse on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram

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Photos'' Credits : EG. Rob de Vries/Guylian Seahorses of the World.

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By Jasmine Wei\r\n

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Photos'' Credits : Jim Chen - Adam Hew - Roberto Strafella

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