A RECORD 1200 White’s seahorses have been released in Port Stephens as part of an effort to save the endangered species.
They are Australia’s only threatened seahorse and the second most endangered worldwide.
The Minns Labor Government is committed to saving the species.
“[This takes] our total to 3500 of these endangered small and delicate seahorses released back into waters, due to the success of our world class breeding program,” Minister for Agriculture and Regional NSW Tara Moriarty said.
“The natural habitat of White’s seahorse in Port Stephens has been severely impacted by recent flood events, which underscores the importance of our recovery efforts.”
The seahorses were released into “seahorse hotels”, which were installed at sites in Port Stephens in 2024, in shallow water Posidonia seagrass meadows.
The hotels start as artificial habitats, but are rapidly covered in algae, sponges and corals.
Over time they transform into a natural habitat and serve as homes for seahorses.
Four hundred primary school students from 15 schools across the Hunter helped deploy an additional 15 hotels.
“The Port Stephens community welcomes more baby White’s seahorses being released into our stunning waterways, safeguarding the future of this exceptionally cute endangered species,” State Member for Port Stephens Kate Washington said.
“Thanks to the very clever team at the Port Stephens Fisheries Institute, the baby seahorses were born and bred locally and are now being released to boost the local populations on the back of recent flood events.”
By Cosette DE LORENZO
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