2012. Review of Significant Trade - Cites

Hippocampus kuda
2011).
The species was not included in the list of threatened species within the Australian
Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act (DSEWPC, 2009).
Threats: By-catch, habitat alteration and loss, harvest for marine aquarium trade and
traditional medicine are potential localised threats to the species (The CITES MA and SA of
Australia, 2011). International trade was not considered to be a major threat in Australia, as
the number of Hippocampus spp. caught in target fishery or as by-catch was not considered
to be large; habitat degradation and loss were reported to be the greatest threat to
Syngnathids in Australia (Martin-Smith and Vincent, 2006).
Trade: According to data provided by the CITES MA and SA of Australia (2011), exports of
H. kuda between 2004 and 2011 comprised 7 312 live specimens and 50 bodies, all captivebred
(Table 1). Exports increased between 2008 and 2011.
Table 1. Direct exports of H. kuda specimens 2004-2011, as reported by the Management and
Scientific Authorities of Australia. All trade was reported as captive-bred and for commercial
purposes.
Term 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 Total
live 30 100 46 676 306 911 3707 *1536 7312
bodies 50 50
*Up until April 2011
(Source: CITES MA & SA of Australia, 2011)
Trade recorded within the CITES Trade Database over the period 2004-2010 (Table 2) is
largely consistent with the trade information provided by the Management and Scientific
Authorities of Australia; however, as annual reports have not yet been received, data for
2010 and 2011 are not yet included within the CITES Trade Database.
Reported re-exports of H. kuda originating in Australia between 2004 and 2010 consisted
exclusively of captive-bred, live specimens traded for commercial purposes.
Table 2. Direct exports of Hippocampus kuda from Australia, 2004-2010. All trade was in live
specimens. The species was listed in Appendix II on 15/05/2004.
Source Purpose Reported by 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 Total
W S Exporter
Importer 15 15
C T Exporter 30 100 46 676 276 911 2039
Importer 50 20 169 30 764 30 1063
Z Exporter
Importer 18 18
Source: CITES Trade Database, UNEP-World Conservation Monitoring Centre, Cambridge, UK
In the mid 2000s, the Hippocampus spp. fishery and aquaculture were considered to be of
limited economic importance in Australia (Martin-Smith and Vincent, 2006).
Live specimens of the species were found to be offered for sale within Australia, either
originating from other countries or from Australian captive breeding operations (Martin-
Smith and Vincent, 2006). Domestic trade levels in Hippocampus spp. were estimated at 9-
350x10 3 kg dried specimens and 3.7-29.6x10 3 kg live specimens per year (Martin-Smith and
Vincent, 2006).
Management: H. kuda was included in the Environment Protection and Biodiversity
Conservation Act 1999 as a protected species, therefore prohibiting the killing, injuring,
taking, trading, keeping or moving of the species without a permit (CITES MA and SA of
Australia, 2011). State legislation applies in State waters, when the species is harvested for
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