Millions of seahorses seized as global demand grows

Species spotlight: A decade’s worth of wildlife seizures reveals the vast scale of illegal seahorse trafficking, driven by demand for traditional medicine

The illegal trade in seahorses could be worth well over £1m a year, according to a new study by Canadian researchers. The study, which analysed wildlife seizure records from 62 countries between 2010 and 2021, sheds light on the scale and scope of this illicit market.

The team from Project Seahorse at the University of British Columbia found records showing that nearly five million dried seahorses were confiscated during this period. Each animal can sell for around £4 on the black market, making the estimated value of the seizures £15.5m.

However, the researchers caution that the real figure could be significantly higher. Because their analysis was limited to reported seizure data, they believe it likely represents only a fraction of the actual trade.

Dried seahorses are a commonly-used healthcare supplement in China. Credit: Todd Mecklem

Dr Sarah Foster, the study’s lead author, said: “The nearly 300 seizures we analyzed were based only on online records and voluntary disclosures including government notices and news stories. This means that what we’re seeing is just the tip of the iceberg.”

The full study was published in the journal Conservation Biology.

Why seahorses?

Dried seahorses are commonly used in traditional Chinese medicine. They are ground into powders and included in soups and teas.

A 2012 study noted that practitioners of traditional healthcare techniques have used dried seahorses for “time immemorial” and that they are believed to “have the potential to cure infertility, baldness, asthma and arthritis”. Although the study said there is evidence that they could be useful in treating arthritis, it concluded that more “authentic” research is needed.

However, this usage comes at a cost. Rising demand across the world has pushed some species towards extinction.

But this demand has come at a cost. Overharvesting, driven by rising global demand, is pushing some species toward extinction.