2012. Review of Significant Trade - Cites

Hippocampus kuda
A clear understanding of life history and ecology was considered essential for the
management of Hippocampus spp. (Curtis et al., 2007), with robust monitoring required to
assess conservation actions (Martin-Smith and Vincent, 2005).
Overview of trade and management: H. kuda was listed in CITES Appendix II on
15/05/2004. International trade 2004-2010 consisted primarily of live animals and bodies,
with smaller quantities of specimens and derivatives also reported. Trade was principally
wild-sourced and captive-born. The vast majority of trade was for commercial purposes,
and the main range State involved in trade was Viet Nam. There was also trade recorded at
the genus level (Hippocampus spp.), particularly by importers, including 8738 live specimens,
22 811 bodies, 1425 kg bodies, 28 998 derivatives and 133 kg derivatives.
A voluntary minimum height limit of 10 cm for international trade in wild Hippocampus
specimens was recommended by the Animals Committee at its 20 th meeting (CITES
Notification 2004/033; CITES Notification 2005/014). Curtis and Vincent (2008)
recommended a precautionary minimum size limit of 14 cm, pending socioeconomic and
management evaluation. No export or re-export permits are required for up to four dead
specimens of Hippocampus spp. per person for personal or household effects, as per CITES
Resolution Conf 13.7. (Rev. CoP 14).
H. kuda was considered valuable for traditional medicine purposes, curios and aquaria
(Perry et al., 2010). Actual global trade in Hippocampus spp. was thought to be significantly
higher than the legal trade reported (Nijman, 2010; Vincent et al., 2011).
Koldewey and Martin-Smith (2010) reported that demand for Hippocampus spp. could not
yet be met though aquaculture, but noted that H. kuda was among the seven species
accounting for more than 99 per cent of international trade in live captive-bred specimens
(Koldewey and Martin-Smith, 2010). Survival of H. kuda to maturity in captive breeding
operations was reported to range between 30-70 per cent (Koldewey and Martin-Smith,
2010); the rearing of young to adulthood and until they reproduce was considered difficult
(Lourie et al., 1999a).
C. Country reviews
AUSTRALIA
Distribution in range State: The species distribution ranges across the northern waters,
from the Northwest Cape to the North Coast of New South Wales and including Christmas
Island (The Australian CITES Scientific Authority for Marine Species, in litt. to UNEP-
WCMC, 2011). The species was reported to occur in Cairns, Cooktown, Daintree, Gulf of
Carpentaria, Lizard island, Moreton Bay, Noosa Heads, Russell River, Southport, Swain
Reefs, Torres Strait, Townsville, [Queensland], Dampier Archipelago and Monte Bello
Islands, [Western Australia] (Lourie et al., 1999a).
The Australian H. kuda specimens were thought possibly to be distinct from H. kuda, but
further research was required to determine the taxonomy (Casey, S. undated, in litt. to
Lourie et al., 1999a). Martin-Smith and Vincent (2006) noted taxonomic uncertainties with
H. kuda from Australia. Kuiter (2001) considered H. kuda to only range from the Andaman
Sea to southern Japan, with records east of the Wallace’s Line representing H. taeniopterus,
which he reported to occur in Queensland and the Northern Territory; Lourie et al. (2004)
however considered H. taeniopterus a synonym of H. kuda.
Population trends and status: Australian populations were thought to provide a refuge for
H. kuda, as levels of exploitation, including trawl by-catch, off northern Australia were
considered to be low (Martin-Smith and Vincent, 2006). Limited information was reported to
be available on the status of the species within Australia (CITES MA and SA of Australia,
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