Campaign for seahorse conservation starts in Ria Formosa Islands

In 15 years, the seahorse population in the Ria Formosa has decreased by more than 90%

An initiative to inform the public about the endangered population of seahorses in the Ria Formosa has just been launched by the Center for Marine Sciences of the Algarve (CCMAR), the Institute for the Conservation of Nature and Forests (ICNF) and the Almancil International Rotary Club (AIRC). 

According to CCMAR, in 15 years, the seahorse population in the Ria Formosa has decreased by more than 90% and is currently at risk.

According to Joaquim Castelão Rodrigues, regional director of ICNF in the Algarve, «if we consider that the decrease in the population of seahorses could be the mirror of the disappearance of other commercial species that use the grasslands for growth, shelter and food, and ultimately loss of biodiversity in the Ria Formosa, we are faced with a circumstance that requires measures from all citizens».

Adelino Canário, director of the CCMAR and professor at the University of the Algarve, also says that «for over 20 years, the seahorse populations of the Ria Formosa, as well as the seagrass meadows they inhabit, have been studied by scientists from the CCMAR. Today we are aware of the threats that these species face, what ecological value they represent, and what conservation measures must be implemented urgently to keep the ecosystems of the Ria Formosa healthy».

Thus, the three entities decided to implement various measures for the conservation of seahorses in the Ria Formosa, including informing the public.

This awareness campaign, as well as other measures that will be implemented in the future, is part of a conservation project supported by the Almancil International Rotary Club.

Klaus Ukens, from the team, points out that “for this project, we contacted Rotary Clubs from Europe, Africa and the United States of America, bringing together donors from around the world to support this environmental project in Portugal. It is an international recognition of the value of the Ria Formosa and the need to study and protect it. And we look forward to implementing more conservation measures supported by people around the world.”

This is the second awareness-raising campaign for the conservation of seahorses carried out with these materials and is once again part of the measures determined by the Seahorses Safeguard Plan, a plan resulting from the work of a wide range of entities.



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