2,801Grants to

1,734(Sub)Species

Short-snouted seahorse (Hippocampus hippocampus)

Mohamed bin Zayed Species project number 182519021

The unknown European seahorses:contribution to increasing the knowledge for the classification and conservation status of the Atlantic seahorse in Portugal

Mohamed bin Zayed Species Conservation (Project No. 182519021) - Short-snouted seahorse - Awarded $13,060 on November 06, 2018

The project will contribute to the knowledge and classification / conservation status of two European sympatric seahorses (Hippocampus hippocampus and Hippocampus guttulatus) in Portugal through formal data collection and informal data collection - based on an innovative digital platform for collecting civil society data. The data collection will allow to the update the Red List category and criteria of these vulnerable species (currently listed as Data Deficient) to push for the implementation of protective measures on a national level, considering the increase of detrimental pressure factors and the dramatic decline recently documented. Underwater visual census will be used to collect biological and ecological information at six different locations in Portugal based on anecdotal information and previous studies. In addition, a literature revision will be made to compile existent data (administration, universities, etc.) and further data analysis. Moreover, a digital platform will be created and made publicly available to gather information regarding seahorse sightings, locations and other additional information. A final report will be made by cross-referencing the formal and informal data, as well as a recommendation factsheet to inform the stakeholders and decision makers. There will be a strong communication emphasis to increase the outreach of this project.

Project documents