Help the Seahorses by Helping the Seagrasses

The small and slow moving dwarf seahorse rely
on seagrass as a home and a source of food.
(Public domain photo from Wikipedia)

As mentioned in previous posts, there are many animals that are reliant upon our coast's seagrass beds.  The many types of seahorses are among those creatures, including the dwarf seahorse.

These slow moving creatures are already being hurt by climate change and pollution, both damaging the seagrass beds they call home. On top of this, dwarf seahorses are also captured in great numbers to be sold as pets. The most current research shows that the Deepwater Horizon oil spill is also hurting the seahorses. So much so that a scientific petition has been filed to protect the animals and their habitat. This year the National Marine Fisheries Service announced that the dwarf seahorse may warrant protection.

In response to this petition from the Center for Biological Diversity, the National Marine Fisheries Service has agreed that the dwarf seahorse may warrant protection under the Endangered Species Act. They are accepting comments before they make a decision, until July 3, that's TOMORROW! 

Dwarf seahorses are also known as habitat specialists, this means when their home (seagrass) disappears then the seahorses disappear too. And, if you've read any of this blog before, you know that Florida has lost more than 50 percent of its seagrasses since 1950.

Dwarf seahorses form monogamous pair bonds, and every morning they meet to perform a greeting dance. As with other seahorses, females place scores of eggs inside the males’ pouches, and the males then give birth to even tinier versions of adults. Boat propellers, shrimp trawlers and ocean acidification are all harming the seagrass these delicate animals need to survive.

If you would like to help by letting your voice be heard, an online petition has been started which is going to be sent to the National Marine Fisheries Service has been posted. Should you want to sign it, add a personal note and/or pass the word along to friends, please go to the website at http://www.change.org/petitions/help-protect-delicate-dwarf-seahorses.