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In response to media enquiries on the record of the spotted seahorse (Hippocampus kuda), a spokesman for the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) responded today (October 26) as follows:
For the record of the spotted seahorse found in Hong Kong waters, in addition to drawing reference from the book "Reef Fishes of Hong Kong", the results of the annual reef check jointly conducted by the AFCD and the Reef Check Foundation showed that from 2001 to 2012, a total of 103 spotted seahorses were recorded in the waters off Yan Chau Tong, Hoi Ha Wan, Kat O, Sharp Island, Ninepin, Tung Ping Chau, Port Island and Bluff Island. According to AFCD's record in 2012, the spotted seahorses were mostly found in the eastern waters of Hong Kong such as Hoi Ha Wan and Tai Mei Tuk within Tolo Habour, Tap Mun, Port Island, Kat O, Kau Sai and Sharp Island.
Seahorses face the threat of overfishing for their qualities for traditional medicine and aquarium purposes. Currently, the trading of all seahorse species is regulated under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). Seahorse is included by the International Union for Conservation of Nature in its Red List of Threatened Species and its wild population is declining. The CITES aims to protect endangered species from over-exploitation by regulating their international trade including the export, re-export and import. The CITES is not applicable to the Tai Po Lung Mei Beach works project as it is not related to the international trade of the spotted seahorse. There are no target seahorse commercial fisheries in Hong Kong. With the implementation of trawl ban in Hong Kong waters at the end of this year, we believe the problem of by-catch could be eliminated. It is reasonable to define the spotted seahorse as "moderately abundant" in Hong Kong waters.
Ends/Friday, October 26, 2012
Issued at HKT 22:55
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