Volunteer divers have discovered a huge influx of seahorses off the south coast of England in Studland Bay.
In one survey alone, 33 seahorses were counted – a monumental finding, considering it used to be rare to even spot a single seahorse in the area.
- It has no scales, swims upright and grips with its tail – so why is the seahorse considered a fish?
- Why do seahorses look like horses?
- How and why do seahorses change colour?
Conservationists have focused their attention on this Dorset bay over the last couple of decades, protecting the seagrass and introducing almost 100 “eco-moorings” that don’t ham the habitat. The Seahorse Trust launched the Studland Seahorse Project in 2008 to boost the number of seahorses in the area, which is a key habitat for both the spiny seahorse and the short-snouted seahorse. In 2019, Studland Bay was designated a Marine Conservation Zone.
Much of the pressure on seahorses and seagrass stems from the bay’s popularity as a boat mooring spot, thanks to its sheltered nature. Traditional anchors tear out the roots of the seagrass, which takes a long time to recover. In response, eco-moorings were introduced – moorings fixed to the seabed in a way that avoids scouring. These were installed by the Seahorse Trust, Boatfolk, and the Studland Bay Marine Partnership, at a maintenance cost of around £100,000.
Top tips for seahorse spotting
- When you see one, don’t take your eyes off it – you’ll likely lose it.
- Don’t distress the seahorse. Key signs of discomfort include darkening colour or turning away.
Top image: pair of spiny Seahorses (Hippocampus histrix) (credit: Getty Images)
