Over 1,200 animals released to underwater 'hotels' along Aussie coastline
The White's seahorses were bred in captivity and released from large plastic bags near Port Stephens in New South Wales last month. In a desperate bid to boost the population, scientists even went as far as creating underwater habitats for the creatures.
These "seahorse hotels" are intentionally made using metal so the artificial structures will slowly rust away, allowing organic materials in the ocean, such as sponges, coral and algae, to take over and regenerate alongside the introduced seahorses.
"The release of 1,200 White's seahorses gives real hope for the future of this iconic species," Tara Moriatry, NSW Minister for Agriculture and Regional NSW, said.
Dr Fiona Fraser, the Australian Threatened Species Commissioner, explained the release is the "largest ever undertaken in the world" and the large-scale breeding program — funded by the federal government and led by NSW Fisheries — has also had help from more than 400 local school children. More releases are also set for later in the year in Botany Bay, with help from traditional custodians, the Gamay Rangers.
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Authorities desperately try to boost endangered seahorse population
The White's seahorse is endemic to the east coast of Australia, and as they favour shallow-water habitats, extreme weather conditions can easily damage the close-to-shore habitat. Alongside Port Stephens, the species are abundant in Sydney Harbour and Port Hacking, but have been categorised as endangered since 2020.
More than 90 per cent of soft coral and sponge habitats have declined where seahorses were once in abundance, and this is significantly impacting the species.
The seahorses are named after John White, the Surgeon General to the First Fleet, and is one of four species of seahorse found in NSW waters.
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