The project has been set up by Angela Stefany and is making a big difference to our knowledge of seahorses in Peru. We are understanding more about their location, numbers fished and behaviour.
“Project Seahorse Peru is a research project whose main objective is to learn more about the bycatch and knowledge of fishermen and to understand about the Pacific Seahorse (Hippocampus ingens) in Peru, as well as educating the coastal population and students about the conservation of seahorses”.
Like with so many projects around the world, The Seahorse Trust works with Angela and the team at Proyecto Seahorse Peru and we share ideas and thoughts on seahorses and their conservation. We have been advising the team on databases and methods of surveying, not just underwater but amongst the fishermen and local communities as well.
Pacific Seahorse
Hippocampus ingens
The Pacific Seahorse (Hippocampus ingens) is a large seahorse up to 19 centimetres from the top of the head on the coronet (crown) down to the end of the tail.
It is most often found in deep water, as far down as 60 metres, and thrives in the cooler waters off Peru and from as far north as San Diego, California, USA.
The colours of this stunning seahorse vary from dark grey to yellow and they are a distinct solid looking seahorse that seldom grows appendages (cirri) on their bodies, due to the type of habitat they live in.
They belong to the Kuda complex of seahorses and are very similar to the Slender Seahorse (Hippocampus reidi) found on the other side of the South American continent.
It is fished in large numbers and this is of concern to Proyecto Seahorse Peru and The Seahorse Trust. By working together they hope to ensure the future of this species in the wild.
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