Molecular tools against the illegal exploitation of the threatened Pacific seahorse Hippocampus ingens Girard, 1858

Marín, Alan; Alfaro, R.; Villegas-Llerena, Claudio; Reyes‐Flores, Lorenzo E.; Alvarez-Jaque, Irina B.; Robles, Christian; Ingar, Claudia; Yzásiga-Barrera, Carmen G.; Calado, Leonardo Luiz; Zelada‐Mázmela, Eliana

doi:10.1016/j.jnc.2021.126030

Cited by 7 publications

(6 citation statements)

References 35 publications

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“…National and international regulations have led to significant seizures of whole dry seahorses; Given this, different evasion measures have been reported, such as exporting pulverized individuals (which includes different species like H. ingens , H. erectus , and H. reidi ) (Marín et al 2021). This could represent a great opportunity for local communities to legalize the practice and implement seahorse aquaculture programs, since the requirement of size, morphological characteristics and coloration that are requested on whole individuals is eliminated.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Local Ecological Knowledge and Use of the Pacific Seahorse (Hippocampus ingens) by Residents of the State of Sinaloa, Mexico

Nájera-Medellín

Quiñónez-Martínez

Narchi

et al. 2023

Journal of Ethnobiology

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The Pacific seahorse ( Hippocampus ingens) is an important cultural and economic resource for coastal communities in the state of Sinaloa, Mexico. However, the conservation of this species is threatened by overfishing, habitat loss, and lack of awareness about its ecological importance. In this study, we examine the local ecological knowledge and use of the Pacific seahorse by residents of Sinaloa. Through ethnographic interviews and participant observation, we document the traditional knowledge and practices associated with this species, including its habitat, behavior, and uses. We find that local ecological knowledge has played a crucial role in the management and conservation of the Pacific seahorse, and that community-based approaches are necessary to address the conservation challenges facing this species. Our study provides important insights into the role of traditional ecological knowledge in marine conservation and highlights the need for more collaborative and participatory approaches to marine management and conservation in Sinaloa and other coastal regions.

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Local Ecological Knowledge and Use of the Pacific Seahorse (Hippocampus ingens) by Residents of the State of Sinaloa, Mexico

Nájera-Medellín

Quiñónez-Martínez

Narchi

et al. 2023

Journal of Ethnobiology

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“…Marín et al (2021) reported that seahorse shipments require large space for storage and transportation, and argue that sometimes they are hidden among other dried shellfish or animal parts (e.g. cattle hide), and chilli peppers have even been used to mask the odour (Rosen & Smith, 2010).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…cattle hide), and chilli peppers have even been used to mask the odour (Rosen & Smith, 2010). However, seizures of seahorse powder have been reported, which could involve new strategies used by traffickers to store and transport seahorses and avoid detection by customs officials (Marín et al, 2021). In relation to the preferred morphological characteristics (particularly for local Chinese medicine), large size, lacking body spines, and with a pale colour are the most preferred specimens (Chen et al, 2021; Vincent, 1996) when they are consumed whole.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…However, recent seizure cases (PROFEPA, 2016;PROFEPA, 2017;PROFEPA, 2018;PROFEPA, 2019) and evidence provided in this investigation highlight the important role that illegal Mexican exports play in the international seahorse trade. Marín et al (2021) reported that seahorse shipments require large space for storage and transportation, and argue that sometimes they are hidden among other dried shellfish or animal parts (e.g. cattle hide), and chilli peppers have even been used to mask the odour (Rosen & Smith, 2010).…”

Section: Capture Of Seahorsesmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Understanding fishing and conservation of the Pacific seahorse (Hippocampus ingens) in Sinaloa, Mexico, through local ecological knowledge

Najera‐Medellin,

Quiñónez‐Martínez,

Narchi

et al. 2023

Aquatic Conservation

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The Pacific seahorse (Hippocampus ingens) is a teleost fish native to the Pacific Ocean. In Mexico they are protected by national legislation; however, there are no studies regarding their commercial use or population status. From a conservation perspective they are a threatened fish and from a socio‐economic aspect they represent a source of income for many fishing communities. The integration of these two points of view requires, among other things, the recognition that fishers have knowledge and skills that can help implement conservation strategies and management plans for seahorses and their habitats. The objective was to document the knowledge of fishers from Sinaloa about the fishing status and current commercialization of wild populations of H. ingens. For this, semi‐structured interviews and participatory observation were carried out with 112 participants in the two main ports of the state of Sinaloa (Mazatlán and Topolobampo) from July to August 2021. The data obtained were coded and then, through content analysis, systematized results were obtained that allowed a qualitative and quantitative analysis. The species was found to be caught using six different fishing gears (catch per unit effort, CPUE = 0.07–1.24 seahorses per boat per day) and have an important financial value. Most fishers catch seahorses incidentally, but three of them mentioned targeting them directly. Fishers perceive a decrease in catches and in the size of the Pacific seahorse, as well as an increase in prices. The information analysed indicates that seahorse populations in Sinaloa are exploited and have economic value, despite current regulations. This study shows that the exploitation of seahorses in Sinaloa is unsustainable and requires the implemention of collaborative management strategies (e.g. stakeholder management, the establishment of marine protected areas, sustainable harvest practices, community‐based enforcement efforts, educational campaigns, research, and conservation partnerships) that fully take into account the knowledge and practice of local fishers of Sinaloa and Mexico.

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“…Actualmente en Perú está prohibida la comercialización de H. ingens; no obstante, sus poblaciones naturales han descendido drásticamente debido a la sobreexplotación, las disposiciones que prohíben la captura, comercialización y tráfi co nacional e internacional han estimulado la pesca clandestina y promovido el desarrollo o consolidación del tráfi co ilegal, pese a fi gurar en la lista roja de la UICN categoría de Vulnerable (VU) y CITES, Apéndice II con repercusiones signifi cativas en las poblaciones locales de las zonas tradicionales de pesca. Su captura involucra una seria afectación a su hábitat y un riesgo adicional para su conservación (Vincent, 1996;Baum & Vincent, 2005;Morgan & Bull, 2005;Perry et al, 2010;IUCN, 2017;Vite-García et al, 2017;López, 2019;Marín et al, 2021;Alfaro-Shigueto et al, 2022).…”

Section: Introductionunclassified

Análisis morfológico y morfométrico de Hippocampus ingens Girard, 1858 “caballito de mar” en estado de deshidratación

Madrid-Ibarra,

Acosta-Reyna,

López-Illanes

et al. 2023

Biotempo

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Esta investigación analiza una población de 1760 Hippocampus ingens Girard, 1858 “caballito de mar” deshidratados, procedentes de un decomiso de pesca ilegal en el norte del país a una embarcación de procedencia china en el año 2016 y donados a la Universidad Ricardo Palma, Lima, Perú por el Ministerio de la Producción (PRODUCE) del Perúsegún acta de entrega N° 06-005565-2016, para fines de investigación. Se analizaron las características morfológicas y se establecieron los parámetros morfométricos de esta especie. Se determinó la relación del dimorfismo sexual (1:1,32) basándose en caracteres morfológicos como la presencia de bolsa de incubación en los machos y ausencia de ésta en las hembras. Mediante el análisis de correlación de Pearson se estableció que existe proporcionalidad directa entre el peso que fluctuó entre 0,53 y 5,37 g y la talla de captura entre 56 y 219 mm, mientras que el número de anillos se estableció en 11 como promedio en el tronco y en la cola el rango fue de 31 a 41, observando relación entre estos. Al realizarcomparaciones de los valores morfométricos, se demostró que la longitud total es independiente del género, por lo que las diferencias entre machos y hembras no fueron significativas. Se considera que los caballitos de mar fueron capturados y deshidratados antes de llegar a su máximo desarrollo. La sobreexplotación y demanda de este recurso los convierte en vulnerables a la depredación por pesca ilegal, (VU) por la Unión Internacional para la Conservación de la Naturaleza (UICN) y apéndice II en la Convención sobre el Comercio Internacional de Especies Amenazadas de Fauna y Flora Silvestres (CITES), declarándose en veda permanente. Se espera que esta investigación genere alternativas de solución para su conservación como el desarrollo de la acuicultura y, al conocer la estructura poblacional, predecir su viabilidad en el futuro para mejorar los esfuerzos de conservación de esta especie amenazada, cumpliendo el Objetivo 14 de DesarrolloSostenible (ODS) “vida submarina”.

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Molecular tools against the illegal exploitation of the threatened Pacific seahorse Hippocampus ingens Girard, 1858

Cited by 7 publications

References 35 publications

Local Ecological Knowledge and Use of the Pacific Seahorse (Hippocampus ingens) by Residents of the State of Sinaloa, Mexico

Local Ecological Knowledge and Use of the Pacific Seahorse (Hippocampus ingens) by Residents of the State of Sinaloa, Mexico

Understanding fishing and conservation of the Pacific seahorse (Hippocampus ingens) in Sinaloa, Mexico, through local ecological knowledge

Análisis morfológico y morfométrico de Hippocampus ingens Girard, 1858 “caballito de mar” en estado de deshidratación

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