Saving Seahorses

Reported February 2008

NEW HAVEN, Conn. (Ivanhoe Newswire) -- They're mesmerizing to watch, but seahorses may go the way of dinosaurs. One researcher concerned about their depletion is studying ways to help them survive.

They are unique and mysterious. But did you know these creatures mate for life? They must eat constantly to stay alive … did you know wild seahorses are disappearing?

Aspiring marine biologist, Katherine Bernabeo is concerned about their survival. They're being traded on the black market, made into Asian medicine, kept in aquariums, pollution is killing them off and their costal habitat is disappearing.

"Twenty million seahorses are being traded globally each year and they're depleting the natural stock and this is a huge strain and I just want to make sure we are not having a huge gap in the ecosystem," Bernabeo told Ivanhoe.

That's why Bernabeos goal is to breed a sustainable supply of the seahorse native to long island sound as an alternative to depleting seahorses in the wild. With the high school students she mentors, Bernabeo carefully monitors the sea horses

"I have to make sure they are always full, they're happy and let nature take its course," Bernabeo said.

Seahorses are unique because the male gives birth. Bernabeo wants to breed more seahorses, hoping to save this animal from extinction.

Click here to Go Inside This Science or contact:

Julie Winkel, Director of Media Relations
University of New Haven
(203) 932-7246
jwinkel@newhaven.edu

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