The seahorses’ biology makes them particularly susceptible to over-fishing due to their unusual method of procreation (the male gives birth, after fertilizing eggs transferred from the female and carrying the developing young in its pouch), their small brood size, low population density, limited adult mobility and restricted home ranges. Seahorses also tend to be monogamous. Replacing a partner lost to a fisher or damaged habitat can be a lengthy process.

In 1996, a group of biologists and development specialists formed Project Seahorse. Working around the world, they seek to conserve seahorses and their habitats by studying their biology, monitoring the seahorse trade, establishing community-based marine protected areas, managing subsistence fisheries, and making local villagers and governments partners in the conservation effort. Some of the Philippine’s poorest fishers catch seahorses for a living, but thanks to Project Seahorse, they now also are helping vulnerable seahorse ecosystems recover from decades of illegal and destructive fishing practices.

Gift Donations to Benefit Project Seahorse

$10 Donation Seahorse Beanbag This delightful beanbag seahorse can be used as a paperweight or a child’s toy. Seahorse is 4” tall. $25 Donation Project Seahorse Gift Bag Filipino villager are changing their fishing practices and making crafts, which they can sell for more cash than they earn trading seahorses. These gift bags make great holiday gift packaging. Bag is 15” high and 3” in diameter. $250 Donation Hand Carved Painted WWII Shoes Souvenir shoes, or Bahaykubo were made in the Phillipines in the 1940’s and brought home by soldiers who served there during the war. These wild shoes are carved by the same families who had been making them since the 1930’s, and were hand-painted by volunteers for Project Seahorse. Choose green or red. Sizes 6–10 run slightly small. Size 6 Red Size 7 Red Size 8 Red Size 9 Red Size 10 Red Size 6 Green Size 7 Green Size 8 Green Size 9 Green Size 10 Green

KANAGMALUHAN Project In the village of Handumon, where families are heavily dependent on decreasing populations of seahorses, Project Seahorse helped establish the local people’s organization, KANAGMALUHAN. Their most successful program uses the fronds of locally grown romblon plants to weave mats, bags and handicrafts. Through contacts developed by Project Seahorse, these products are sold through the London Zoo and several aquariums in the U.S. and the U.K.

NOTE: Click art photos for larger view.