Seahorse Smuggling Soars

By Mata Press Service

Nearly five million illegally traded seahorses—valued at an estimated CAD$29 million—were seized globally over a 10-year period, according to a new international study that exposes a vast and largely hidden wildlife smuggling operation.

The study, published in Conservation Biology and led by researchers at the University of BC’s Project Seahorse, analyzed 292 online seizure records from 2010 to 2021. It found that seahorses, mostly dried for use in traditional medicine, were intercepted in 62 countries, typically at airports in passenger baggage or concealed within sea cargo.

“Our data set almost certainly underrepresents actual volumes and values of seahorses being smuggled, and likely reflects only the tip of the iceberg,” the study states.

“What we’re seeing is just the tip of the iceberg,” said Dr. Sarah Foster, lead author and research associate at Project Seahorse.

“The nearly 300 seizures we analyzed were based only on online records and voluntary disclosures, including government notices and news stories.”

The study found that seahorses were frequently trafficked alongside other high-value illegal wildlife products, such as pangolin scales and elephant ivory, highlighting their inclusion in organized smuggling routes.

“Seahorses are being moved through the same illicit networks as iconic terrestrial species,” the authors wrote, noting that enforcement often focuses more on charismatic land animals, leaving marine species like seahorses more vulnerable.

“Patterns of seizure location and origin/destination countries suggest increasing diversification of trade routes,” the paper noted, with Europe and Latin America joining China and Hong Kong as major trade hubs.

Syd Ascione, a co-author and research biologist at Project Seahorse, said: “Trade routes appear to be diversifying, and so must enforcement efforts.”

While international trade in seahorses is permitted under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), permits are contingent on proving that the trade is not harmful to wild populations. That’s a high bar many traders avoid, pushing the commerce underground.

“Most reported seizures were made in destination and transit countries, reinforcing the value of well-organized enforcement efforts in such locations,” the study said.

Airports were the most common seizure points, with smuggled seahorses found in luggage. However, the largest hauls by volume occurred in sea cargo shipments—another blind spot for many enforcement agencies.

Despite these interceptions, the paper notes a troubling lack of follow-up:

“Only 7% of seizures provided information on legal consequences, leaving it unclear how frequently seizures lead to meaningful enforcement action.”

Dr. Teale Phelps Bondaroff, director of research at OceansAsia and senior author of the study, emphasized the urgent need for more accountability:

“All countries must step up with strong deterrents—good detective work, determined enforcement, and meaningful penalties,” he said. “At the same time, we must continue using innovative research and investigation methods to uncover hidden networks and outpace traffickers.”

The study also reveals the high economic value of the illicit trade.

Based on records with monetary data, the average value per seahorse was estimated at CAD$7, totalling approximately CAD$29 million across all seizures analyzed.

But curbing the illegal trade requires more than tough penalties. For many small-scale fishers, seahorses represent an essential income stream.

“We need to make sustainable, legal trade viable enough that people obey the laws,” said Dr. Foster. “And ensure that we also have sufficient deterrents to stop illegal activity.”

She noted the importance of aligning conservation with cultural values.

“We’ve done work with traditional medicine traders in Hong Kong, and when we ask them, ‘How long do you want seahorses around?’ they say, ‘Forever, they’re really important!’ And we agree.”

Key Findings

1. Large-Scale Smuggling

• Nearly 5 million seahorses were seized between 2010–2021 across 62 countries.
• Estimated black market value: CAD$29 million.

2. Sophisticated Trafficking Methods

• Most seizures occurred at airports (in luggage) and seaports (in cargo).
• Seahorses were trafficked alongside ivory and pangolin scales.

3. Expanding Trade Routes

• Traditional destinations include China and Hong Kong, with Europe and Latin America increasingly involved.

4. Weak Legal Follow-Through

• Only 7% of cases included information on legal penalties.
• Enforcement focused more on land species than marine wildlife.

5. Socioeconomic Realities

• Seahorses are a critical income source for many fishers.
• Sustainable trade options are needed to balance conservation and livelihoods.

6. Call to Action

• Researchers urge stronger international cooperation, improved enforcement, and new investigative tools to dismantle trafficking networks.