From South America to Asia, seahorses vanish into trafficking pipeline

Mongabay
Mongabay
3M ago
88 views
Ecuadorian police seized nearly 3,000 seahorses destined for illegal trade, highlighting the severe threats these species face from trafficking and habitat destruction.
From South America to Asia, seahorses vanish into trafficking pipeline
A What happened
In June 2025, Ecuadorian police discovered a package containing 2,970 dead seahorses, suspected to be trafficked to Colombia and then to Southeast Asia. Seahorses are in high demand for traditional Chinese medicine and as aquarium pets, leading to their capture as bycatch in fishing nets. Peru serves as a key transit country for this illegal trade, with millions of seahorses caught annually. All seahorse species are threatened, facing habitat destruction and overfishing. Despite CITES regulations aimed at protecting them, illegal trafficking continues due to high market demand and inadequate enforcement. The Ecuadorian government has prohibited seahorse capture, yet enforcement remains weak, allowing the illegal trade to flourish. Experts emphasize the need for stronger protections to ensure the survival of these unique marine species.
★

Key insights

  • 1

    High Demand for Seahorses: Seahorses are sought after for traditional medicine and as exotic pets.

  • 2

    Illegal Trafficking Routes: Peru to China and Southeast Asia is a major trafficking route for seahorses.

  • 3

    Threats to Seahorse Populations: Overfishing and habitat destruction are critical threats to seahorse survival.

  • 4

    CITES Regulations: International trade of seahorses is regulated under CITES, yet illegal trade persists.

  • 5

    Need for Stronger Protections: Experts call for enhanced enforcement to protect vulnerable seahorse species.

Takeaways

The ongoing illegal trade of seahorses underscores the urgent need for effective conservation measures.

Topics

Climate & Environment Wildlife Pollution Conservation