Conservation
Project Seahorse
Seahorses represent the coming together of all the world’s marine problems: neglected environments, destructive fishing practices, desperate fishing communities and the need for protected areas. Saving seahorses means saving the seas.
In 1998, Shedd became a key partner in Project Seahorse — an international network of 200 professionals and 75 institutions devoted to seahorse conservation. Project Seahorse supports community-based programs in regions where seahorses are threatened. In the Philippines, for example, partners work with villagers to develop safe fishing methods and create ways to earn money other than by fishing for seahorses — including making crafts now sold in the Shedd Aquarium store.
Through Project Seahorse’s tireless efforts, seahorses are now included in the Convention on International Trade of Endangered Species of Flora and Fauna (CITES). This global protection and management plan has been adopted by more than 160 countries. The addition of seahorses to CITES was the first time that an international agreement had been put into place to manage a commercial marine fish.
Shedd created a tremendously popular special exhibit in conjunction with Project Seahorse. Seahorse Symphony featured many species of seahorses as well as sea dragons and other seahorse relatives. It opened in 1999 and enjoyed an amazing four-and-a-half-year run. The exhibit carried a strong conservation message while providing a unique opportunity to see these enchanting animals up close.
An estimated 25 million seahorses are fished from the wild every year for traditional Asian medicines, preserved souvenirs and pets.
