Collaborative monitoring of the ornamental trade of seahorses and pipefishes (Teleostei: Syngnathidae) in Brazil: Bahia State as a case study

Abstract

Many species of seahorses and pipefishes (family Syngnathidae) are traded for medicinal purposes and aquaria; some are also sold as souvenirs or curiosities. Brazil is one of the main suppliers of seahorses for the international aquarium trade, nevertheless, little is known about the magnitude of that trade in the country. With regards to pipefishes, virtually nothing is known about their captures for ornamental purposes in Brazil. The present study assesses the magnitude of captures and trade of seahorses and pipefishes, based on data obtained through a collaborative monitoring program established with the main retailer of marine ornamental organisms in the State of Bahia. The syngnathid fishery is conducted in shallow waters never exceeding 7 m, generally by breathhold diving. Both seahorses and pipefishes are mostly caught by hand, and only rarely hand-nets or plastic bags are used. Muitas espécies de cavalos-marinhos e peixes-cachimbo (família Syngnathidae) são comercializadas para fins medicinais e de aquarismo; algumas são também vendidas como suvenires ou curiosidades. O Brasil é um dos maiores fornecedores de cavalos-marinhos para o comércio aquarista internacional, porém pouco se sabe sobre a magnitude das capturas no país. Com relação aos peixes-cachimbo, praticamente nada se conhece acerca das suas capturas para fins ornamentais no Brasil. O presente estudo avalia a magnitude das capturas e do comércio de cavalos-marinhos e peixes-cachimbo para fins ornamentais, a partir de dados obtidos através de um programa de monitoramento desenvolvido em colaboração com o principal comerciante de organismos ornamentais marinhos no estado da Bahia. A pesca de cavalos-marinhos e peixes-cachimbo é realizada em águas rasas, nunca excedendo 7m de profundidade, geralmente em apnéia. Tanto cavalos-marinhos como peixes-cachimbo são coletados manualmente, e apenas raramente redes ou sacos plásticos são usados.

Trade of Seahorses, <I>Hippocampus</I> Spp. (Actinopterygii: Syngnathiformes: Syngnathidae), on the East Coast of the Gulf of Thailand

“…The majority of seahorses constituting the excess number were probably imported from other countries. A similar estimate of the numbers of live seahorses, i.e., 9800 seahorses per year, were traded in Bahia (Brazil) within 1997-2005 (Rosa et al 2006).…”

Native species exploited by marine aquarium trade in Brazil

“…Some authors mention the aquarium trade of certain fish that could not be identified further than the genus level, but that comprise species listed in decree MMA 445/14: Micrognathus (M. erugatus -CR), Scarus (S. trispinosus -EN and S. zelindae -VU), Sparisoma (S. axillare -VU, S. frodosum -VU and S. rocha -VU), Stegastes (S. rocasensis -VU, S. sanctipauli -VU and S. trindadensis -VU), Dasyatis (D. centroura -CR and D. colarensis -VU) and Rhinobatos (R. horkelli -CR and R. lentiginosus -VU) (Monteiro et al 2003, Nottingham et al 2005a, Sampaio & Rosa 2005, Rosa et al 2006), thus, it is possible that other threatened species have been exploited by the Brazilian marine aquarium industry.…”

Fisheries and trade of seahorses in Brazil: historical perspective, current trends, and future directions

“…The following harvesting methods were recorded, applicable to both types of trade (domestic or export): in most cases, seahorses were hand-picked in shallow estuarine waters; they were also harvested through the use of a throw net dragged along the margins of the estuary, or by self-taught divers, who only rarely (7.1%, in the state of Bahia) made use of surface-supply breathing apparatus (see Rosa et al 2006). Following collection, -Means ''no information'' specimens of live seahorses passed through up to four trade levels, from fishers, to middleman, wholesalers, retailers and exporters.…”