10-4-2009

‘EcoDay 2009’
WURT seahorse colouring-in competition results.

The ‘Ecoday’ seahorse colouring-in competition was won by Angys Kirman with Hellena Thompson and Sade Thompson as runners up. First prize was a Mares snorkeling package and each runner-up received a Mares gear bag – congratulations.

20-7-2009

‘Hutchwilco New Zealand Boat Show 2009’
WURT seahorse colouring-in competition results.

The ‘Hutchwilco New Zealand Boat Show 2009’ WURT seahorse colouring-in competition was won by Bradley Kinghan, with Ella Myir, Leighton Kinghan, Nathan Harding and Ben Goffin as runners up. First prize was a Mares snorkeling package and each runner-up either received a Mares snorkel kit or a Mares gear bag – congratulations.

20-7-2008

‘Hutchwilco New Zealand Boat Show 2008’

WURT seahorse colouring-in competition results.

The ‘Hutchwilco New Zealand Boat Show 2008’ WURT seahorse colouring-in competition was won by Niamh Montgomery with Erin Beattie and Andrada Matincas as runners up. First prize was a Mares snorkel kit and each runner-up received a Mares gear bag – congratulations.


5-5-2008

Survey Seahorse 2000 supporting Waikato University student Jennifer Nickel.

We are pleased to support Waikato University student Jennifer Nickel investigation to define the species and dispersal ranges of seahorses around the North Island of New Zealand. Jennifer’s field research begins this year and involves sample collecting. If you have a dried seahorse specimen (North Island) that you would like to donate to research - email Jennifer at jen2@waikato.ac.nz








10-4-2008

‘EcoDay’ WURT seahorse colouring-in competition results.

The ‘Ecoday’ seahorse colouring-in competition was won by Navnita Ram with Abigail Parr and Navneel Ram as runners up. First prize was a Mares snorkel kit and each runner-up received a Mares gear bag – congratulations.

23-7-2007

'Seahorse Protective Equipment Cases' donates cases to 'Survey Seahorse 2000'.

"It's not every day that we get such a great donation and one that we can readily use" said Mike Percy (Survey Seahorse 2000 National co-coordinator). All thanks to Donald Cronkite (Seahorse Protective Equipment Cases - Sales Manager USA) who contacted 'Survey Seahorse 2000' with the offer outlined below

"Seahorse Protective Equipment Cases' manufacturer watertight, airtight, dustproof, crush resistant carry cases. I would like to make a few of these cases available to your organisation FREE of charge, no strings attached. I like the idea of the Seahorse name for your group and it sounds like a group worthwhile to help support in some way".

The presentation of three cases was done at the 'Western Underwater Dive Club' by Ivan Zabak of 'Apix Photographic Supplies', who are a New Zealand sales outlet for 'Seahorse Protective Equipment Cases'. For more information on either visit www.Seahorse.net and www.apix.co.nz .

15-6-2007

'Rogest' print fund raiser - 'Dive New Zealand Magazine' presents a cheque to Research Team.

A number of Ron Steven (Rogest) prints were presented to individuals and organizations in appreciation for their continuing support. The last 'Rogest' print to be presented 'Looking at Extinction' was to the New Zealand Underwater Association (NZUA) at their 54th AGM held at the Western Underwater Dive Club (host club) for services to the marine environment. Also a special presentation of a cheque was made by Dave Moran (Editor of Dive New Zealand Magazine) to the Western Underwater Research Team - the cheque was the proceeds of the Ron Steven 'Rogest' print auctions. Mike Percy (Research Team's Chairperson) received the cheque and he thanked Dave and all the staff of Dive New Zealand Magazine for their wonderful support. The proceeds will go directly into supporting the Research Team's NZRDS projects. Special thanks also go to Ron Steven for his support, without which all this would not be possible.

5-5-2007

Seahorses cost New Zealand firm NZ$10,000.

A New Zealand Company has been fined NZ$10,000 for illegally importing a threatened species used to treat everything from asthma to impotence. It has been estimated that 62,000 seahorses were killed to produce a powder that made the contents of a 25kg drum imported into New Zealand by Christchurch’s RMF Nutraceuticals. The remainder was powder made from pipefish.

“RMF Nutraceuticals you are the scumbags of all scumbags I’ve ever come across” You have put New Zealand to shame. Your excuse that you thought importing seahorses without a permit was legal is pathetic. Help the marine environment and jump off a cliff. – Mike Percy.

15-2-2007

Canadian artist supporting New Zealand environmental group.

Well known Canadian based artist Ron Steven (www.rogest.com) has donated artwork to raise funds for the Western Underwater Research Team (WURT). Prints will be auctioned on www.trademe.co.nz, which is being promoted and managed by Dive New Zealand / Dive Pacific magazines. All proceeds will help support the Research Team’s ‘New Zealand Recreational Diver Survey’ and ‘Seahorse Survey 2000’ national programmes.

The first print of a seahorse was successfully auctioned in December of 2005. Following the success of the ‘Trademe’ auctions we are pleased to submit another and final print titled ‘Looking at Extinction’ on ‘Trademe’ from February 16th to February 25th 2007. To view just log onto ‘Trademe’ – click on ART then PRINTS then ABSTRACT.

4-12-2006

Canadian artist supporting New Zealand environmental group.

Well known Canadian based artist Ron Steven (www.rogest.com) has donated artwork to raise funds for the Western Underwater Research Team (WURT). Six prints will be auctioned on www.trademe.co.nz, which is being promoted and managed by Dive New Zealand / Dive Pacific magazines. All proceeds will help support the Research Team’s ‘New Zealand Recreational Diver Survey’ and ‘Seahorse Survey 2000’ national programmes.

The first print of a seahorse was successfully auctioned in December of last year. Following the success of the ‘Trademe’ auctions we are pleased to submit another print of an amazing Whale Shark on ‘Trademe’ from December 4th to December 12th 2006. To view just log onto ‘Trademe’ – click on ART then PRINTS then ABSTRACT.

24-9-2006

Canadian artist supporting New Zealand environmental group.

Well known Canadian based artist Ron Steven (www.rogest.com) has donated artwork to raise funds for the Western Underwater Research Team (WURT). Six prints will be auctioned on www.trademe.co.nz, which is being promoted and managed by Dive New Zealand / Dive Pacific magazines. All proceeds will help support the Research Team’s ‘New Zealand Recreational Diver Survey’ and ‘Seahorse Survey 2000’ national programmes.

The first print of a seahorse was successfully auctioned in December of last year. The sixth print to be auctioned of an amazing Turtle on ‘Trademe’ from 2 – 12 October 2006. To view just log onto ‘Trademe’ – click on ART then PRINTS then ABSTRACT.

28-7-2006

Canadian artist supporting New Zealand environmental group.

Well known Canadian based artist Ron Steven (www.rogest.com) has donated artwork to raise funds for the Western Underwater Research Team (WURT). Six prints will be auctioned on www.trademe.co.nz, which is being promoted and managed by Dive New Zealand / Dive Pacific magazines. All proceeds will help support the Research Team’s ‘New Zealand Recreational Diver Survey’ and ‘Seahorse Survey 2000’ national programmes.

The first print of a seahorse was successfully auctioned in December of last year. The fifth print to be auctioned of an amazing Tigger Fish will be on ‘Trademe’ from 1 – 12 August 2006. To view just log onto ‘Trademe’ – click on ART then PRINTS then ABSTRACT.

23-4-2006

Canadian artist supporting New Zealand environmental group.

Well known Canadian based artist Ron Steven (www.rogest.com) has donated artwork to raise funds for the Western Underwater Research Team (WURT). Six prints will be auctioned on www.trademe.co.nz, which is being promoted and managed by Dive New Zealand / Dive Pacific magazines. All proceeds will help support the Research Team’s ‘New Zealand Recreational Diver Survey’ and ‘Seahorse Survey 2000’ national programmes.

The first print of a seahorse was successfully auctioned in December of last year. The fourth print to be auctioned of an amazing Leafy Sea Dragon will be on ‘Trademe’ from 29 May – 7 June 2006. To view just log onto ‘Trademe’ – click on ART then PRINTS then ABSTRACT.

*WURT is currently assisting with acoustic monitoring research in the Manukau Harbour of the critically endangered Maui’s dolphin. Underwater communication equipment has been purchased recently to assist scuba divers in such programmes and this was made possible by a generous grant from the ‘Portage Licensing Trust’.

3-4-2005

Canadian artist supporting New Zealand environmental group.

Well known Canadian based artist Ron Steven (www.rogest.com) has donated artwork to raise funds for the Western Underwater Research Team (WURT). Six prints will be auctioned on www.trademe.co.nz, which is being promoted and managed by Dive New Zealand / Dive Pacific magazines. All proceeds will help support the Research Team’s ‘New Zealand Recreational Diver Survey’ and ‘Seahorse Survey 2000’ national programmes.

The first print of a seahorse was successfully auctioned in December of last year. The third print to be auctioned of an amazing Eagle Ray will be on ‘Trademe’ from 8 – 17 April 2006. To view just log onto ‘Trademe’ – click on ART then PRINTS then ABSTRACT.

Canadian artist supporting New Zealand environmental group.

Well known Canadian based artist Ron Steven (www.rogest.com) has donated artwork to raise funds for the Western Underwater Research Team (WURT). Six prints will be auctioned on www.trademe.co.nz, which is being promoted and managed by Dive New Zealand / Dive Pacific magazines. All proceeds will help support the Research Team’s ‘New Zealand Recreational Diver Survey’ and ‘Seahorse Survey 2000’ national programmes.

The first print of a seahorse was successfully auctioned in December of last year. The second print to be auctioned of an amazing octopus will be on ‘Trademe’ from Friday 24 February to Sunday 5 March 2006. To view just log onto ‘Trademe’ – click on ART then PRINTS then ABSTRACT.

*WURT is currently assisting with acoustic monitoring research in the Manukau Harbour of the critically endangered Maui’s dolphin. Underwater communication equipment has been purchased recently to assist scuba divers in such programmes and this was made possible by a generous grant from the ‘Portage Licensing Trust’.

24-2-2006

Pygmy Seahorse found at the Poor Knights Islands – New Zealand.

It was by accident investigating an interesting sea slug amongst some red algae that Ann Gilmore discovered a female pygmy seahorse (length 60mm) not known to New Zealand waters. The Poor Knights Islands where Ann found the seahorse (Middle Arch, at approximately 20m), were named by Captain James Cook on this first voyage of discovery (1768-1771). They are bathed by a warm northern current and often see marine visitors from warmer tropical waters. Many speculations have already been made as to what species of seahorse it is, but for the time being ‘Seahorse Survey 2000’ is referring it as Hippocampus gilmore.

23-4-2005

Seahorse Surgery.

A very unusual patient visited the American Ryan Hospital on April 23. A six-inch, two-year-old female seahorse was brought to the Hospital by veterinarians from the National Aquarium in Baltimore. The seahorse had a pea-size growth on its pectoral fin, near the gills. “Last October we removed a mass by conventional surgery,” said Dr. Caryn Poll of the National Aquarium. “But the mass grew back and we are here to have it removed by laser surgery.”

Chick Weisse, lecturer in surgery, enjoys working with marine animals and has performed numerous surgeries on fish. The little seahorse was his first patient of the Hippocampus variety.

The animal was anesthetized in water; it took about five minutes for it to become unconscious. Then it was removed from the water and placed on the table, and Dr. Poll carefully syringed water over the gills while Dr. Weisse used the tiny laser probe to remove the tumour. He then used the laser to ablate the tumour bed in the hope of removing any remaining cancer cells that could regrow. “Seahorses have a bony layer within the skin, called osteoderm, so one can’t just cut away the tumour without leaving a large defect,” said Dr. Weisse. “The laser removed the layer of cancer cells while sealing the blood vessels, nerves, and lymphatics.”

The surgery lasted only minutes, and that same day, the Hippocampus reidi was safely back in her tank at the National Aquarium, swimming around. In lay language she is called a longsnout seahorse, and her natural home is the Western Atlantic.

6 -11-2004

Drawing on that experience, Project Seahorse is seeking the assistance of the world's underwater photographers. The Seahorses of the World photo competition is open to all amateur and professional photographers. The entries will be used both as educational tools and for scientific study. All you have to do is send in a print or digital photograph of a seahorse in its natural habitat taken since January 1, 2000. Entries will be accepted until April 1, 2005.

Remember that Survey Seahorse 20000 has on its web site a seahorse picture gallery, which is always on the lookout for more pictures of seahorses, pipefish and spiny seadragons taken in New Zealand waters.

5 -7-2004

Tissue from at-risk species offers hope for future:

Hippocampus kuda (Yellow seahorse) listed by the World Conservation Union (IUCN) as vulnerable, was chosen from a handful of Earth’s rarest species as part of a ‘Frozen Arc’ project to freeze their DNA. The ‘Ark’ project is being run by some of Britain’s top scientific institutions, including London’s National History Museum, the Institute of Zoology and Nottingham University’s Institute of Genetics. The ark’s DNA collection will focus initially on animals expected to disappear in the next five years – welcome to ‘Jurassic Seahorse Park’.

1-6-2004

Another seahorse species named - Hippocampus colemani:

Australian photographer, author and naturalist Rudie H. Kuiter discovered the seahorse near Lord Howe Island in Eastern Australia making it the 34th known species of seahorse. Named after Neville Coleman, who discovered and photographed the species and then later returned to Lord Howe Island specifically to collect material.

1-5-2004

Winners of the children’s seahorse colouring competition:

Many thanks to all those who entered the ‘Survey Seahorse 2000’ seahorse colouring competition and congratulations to the winners – well done. Each received a book ‘Seahorses Down Under’ and a seahorse bookmarker.

Winners: James Adams (8yrs – Stewart Island), Georgia Rose Cook (5yrs – Thames), James Daken (12yrs – Christchurch), Liam Kissing (Waiheke Island), Christopher King (6yrs – Whangarei)

15-9-2003

Athens 2004 Paralympics mascot:

The Athens 2004 Paralympics mascot is a seahorse. Its creators claim that, as is well known, seahorses are a symbol of strength, pursuit, inspiration and celebration. Of course they are - we knew that.

09-5-2003

World’s Smallest Seahorse Discovered:

Marine scientists have discovered the world’s smallest seahorse, after realising it was not the offspring of a species they already knew about. The pygmy seahorse averages 16mm in size and lives in coral in the waters of the Western Pacific. The pygmy seahorse is extremely well camouflaged which has probably helped to protect it from over exploitation. Before this discovery there were 32 known species of seahorses, but some marine scientists believe their could be as many as 50 species world wide.

01-12-2002

New Zealand seahorse monitoring site:

The ‘Western Underwater Research Team’ has started monitoring seahorses at a site at Kawau Island in the Hauraki Gulf. It will be the start of an ongoing monitoring survey programme to study seahorse ecology. Over the next two years the Research Team will map the area and take note of any seahorse observations. Once the survey area has been properly established the Research Team will then look at studying individual seahorses that are found in the area.

Seahorses become first commercial marine fish to be managed by 160 countries:

The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) agreed on 13 Nov by a 75 percent majority to list all 32 species of seahorses on Appendix II of the Convention. The United States led the proposal to list seahorses. This listing is the result of ten years work by Project Seahorse, an international marine conservation organisation based in Vancouver, British Columbia “Seahorses often set precedent. After all, only the male seahorse gets pregnant,” said Dr. Amanda Vincent, director of Project Seahorse. “This listing is a call to action. The challenge now is for countries to regulate the vast international trade so well that seahorse populations begin to recover. Such an ambitious endeavour will require all possible collaborations. The CITES decision certainly marks a good beginning for the future of the world’s seahorses.”

This major development in marine conservation means that, beginning in mid-2004, 160 countries around the world will begin controlling the trade in seahorses to ensure that use is compatible with their continued survival in the wild. Seahorses are the first fully marine fish species of commercial importance to be listed on CITES and the only fish to be moved under international trade controls as the result of this meeting of the Conference of the Parties in Santiago, Chile. Of all wildlife trade issues under international conservation management, seahorses will represent the greatest trade volume with more than 25 million animals a year moving among at least 75 nations.

Seahorses are fished for traditional medicines as well as the aquarium and curiosity trades. These direct threats, along with incidental catch by trawlers and habitat destruction; have led to severe population declines in many regions. Out of 32 species of seahorses, 20 appear on the 2002 World Conservation Union (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species (one as Endangered, nineteen as Vulnerable to the risk of extinction.) Too little is known about the other species to assess their status with confidence. Project Seahorse carried out the first field surveys and analyses of the seahorse trade, is responsible for IUCN Red List assessments of seahorses, established the first conservation programs and produced the identification guide that helped convince CITES that trade management would be viable. Project Seahorse also chaired the CITES working group that recommended listing on Appendix II.

To reflect the concern for the dependent fishers the CITES listing has been deferred to come into effect in 18 months, the longest delay ever given to a listing implementation, to enable governments to ensure good implementation that is respectful of the fishers and traders.

15-10-2002

CITES conference ends with strong decisions on wildlife conservation:

The trade in seahorses will also now be regulated for the first time. Seahorse populations seem to have declined dramatically over recent years owing to commercial trade, by-catch in fisheries, coastal development, destructive fishing practices and pollution. To meet the growing demand for traditional medicines, aquarium pets, souvenirs and curios, at least 20 million seahorses were captured annually from the wild in the early 1990s, and the trade is estimated to be growing by 8-10% per year. All 32 seahorse species will now be listed in Appendix II.

10/8/2002

Stockholm, Sweden:

The Royal Swedish Navy said it has discovered an underwater mystery shipwreck with skulls littering its centuries-old wooden decks. The sailing ship, which marine archaeologists think is more than 200 years old, was found standing upright on the bottom of the Baltic Sea. The reason for why it sank is so far an enigma, because its hull and masts remain perfectly intact. "We don't have any clues whatsoever right now on what made it sink. We don't have any hints whatsoever," marine archaeologist Bert Westenberg of the Swedish National Maritime Museum in Stockholm told United Press International.

The Swedish rescue ship HMS Belos was searching for a lost dredger in the middle of the Baltic Sea when a sonar sweep picked up signs of a wreck more than 300 feet down in early 2002. The crew then deployed a remote controlled robot Sjöugglan -- Swedish for "sea owl" -- to check out the murky sea floor. Their TV monitors revealed a beautifully preserved 85-foot-long ship, with twin 65-foot-tall masts standing upright and a gilded seahorse on its prow -- a pony's head with human hands instead of front hooves clasped under its belly and instead of rear legs, a fish's tail. "Everything's in mint condition," Westenberg said. "It must have went down very fast. Everything looked the way it did when it was sailing. Perhaps it met some bad weather, or it started leaking and then went down very fast."

Seahorse rescued from ferry engine:

A tiny seahorse, which became trapped in the engine of a Channel ferry, was taken to a marine wildlife centre to recover. The short-snouted seahorse was spotted in a cooling system filter of a Condor Ferry’s engine during a crossing from Weymouth, Dorset, to St Malo in France.

Engineer Martin Woods spotted the 4 centimetre long seahorse tangled in seaweed in the filter and gave it to cabin manager Tony Pack who kept it alive in a drinking cup filled with seawater. Mr Pack gave her to staff at Weymouth Sea Life Park, where the seahorse has been named ‘Vitesse’ after the name of the ferry it was found on. The park’s seahorse specialist Kelly Basso said the species – Latin name Hippocampus hippocampus, was common on the French coastline but rarely visited British waters.

22/8/2000

Public catch first glimpse of Zebedee the seahorse:

A zebra-snouted seahorse, believed to be the first of its kind to be bred in captivity, made its public debut at a aquarium in Weymouth (UK). Zebedee was one of several of the species born at the centre, but was the only one to survive.

Experts at Weymouth Sea Life Park, Dorset, have been working on a breeding programme for several years.

The Times reports zebra-snouted seahorses are getting close to extinction. Zebedee is less than one inch tall, but is expected to grow to more than five inches. Park aquarist, Kelly Travers, said: "They are beautiful creatures and we are thrilled that we have been successful in breeding them."

12-04-2000

Trade in Seahorses:

On Wednesday, 12 April, the US introduced a document on seahorse trade (Doc. 11.36). A working group was established to discuss the issue and the Animals Committee met on Thursday, 13 April, to present a draft resolution directing the Secretariat to assist in obtaining funds to support a technical workshop on seahorse conservation. On Wednesday, 19 April, the Plenary adopted a resolution on the conservation of seahorses (Com. 11.8), requiring Parties to provide all relevant information concerning the status of the species; encouraging scientific research to promote long-term conservation and sustainable use; and convening a technical workshop. It also directs the Animals Committee to prepare a discussion paper on the biological and trade status of seahorses and other members of the Syngnathidae family for COP-12.