CITES makes a measurable difference to the trade in live marine fishes: The pioneering case of seahorses

Seahorses set precedent as the first marine fishes added to CITES Appendix II and taken through CITES processes. Although the vast majority of seahorses are traded dead for traditional medicine, the live trade for ornamental display was the main pressure on some populations. We investigated changes in the international trade in live seahorses over time, exploring the influence of CITES listing and its compliance process (called Review of Significant Trade or RST). Globally, reported exports of live seahorses from key trading Parties declined notably in the first years after the CITES listing, and yet more after RST, to just 7 % of historic levels. These changes are explained first by a decline in wild sourcing after the listing and then by a decrease in the number of captive born seahorses (from wild-sourced parents) after RST. Almost all live seahorses in international trade are now captive bred (F2 generation or more). Consequently, there are now fewer wild sourced species in trade, from fewer countries and more tank-raised species, from more countries. In summary, the CITES listing for seahorses appears to have reduced pressure of international trade on some wild populations - those involved in live trade. This gain is, however, tiny in the context of the vast trade in dried seahorses, most of which are now smuggled across borders. The difference probably lies in the small volume and relatively high value of the aquarium trade. CITES Parties still need to determine how changes in live trade are affecting wild seahorse populations.

Automated summary

This study investigates the changes in the international trade of live seahorses after their inclusion in CITES Appendix II. The results show a significant decline in the reported exports of live seahorses, with almost all trade now consisting of captive bred seahorses. This reduction in pressure on wild populations involved in the live trade is, however, insignificant compared to the vast trade in dried seahorses, most of which are smuggled.