Seahorse distribution and aquaculture in Korea

Abstract

This report serves the information on population characteristics and culture of seahorses in Korea. Currently, five species were identified in southern coastal waters of Korea, Hippocampus coronatus, Hippocampus histrix, Hippocampus kuda, Hippocampus mohnikei, and Hippocampus trimaculatus. The occurrence of seahorses exhibited the seasonal patterns, with variation in temporal abundance being significantly correlated with water temperature. There are not caught for commercial use, but fish trawling activity and seagrass beds loss by urban development are the potential threats. Seahorse aquaculture had been conducted since the mid-2000s. Now, it has the capability to produce 50,000 seahorses per year for use in traditional Chinese medicine. It is expected that seahorse aquaculture in Korea can contribute to reducing pressure on natural populations in the world while bringing economic benefits.ippocampus mohnikei, and Hippocampus trimaculatus. The occurrence of seahorses exhibited the seasonal patterns, with variation in temporal abundance being significantly correlated with water temperature. There are not caught for commercial use, but fish trawling activity and seagrass beds loss by urban development are the potential threats. Seahorse aquaculture had been conducted since the mid-2000s. Now, it has the capability to produce 50,000 seahorses per year for use in traditional Chinese medicine. It is expected that seahorse aquaculture in Korea can contribute to reducing pressure on natural populations in the world while bringing economic benefits.