2012. Review of Significant Trade - Cites

Hippocampus kuda
Management: Syngnathids were listed on Schedule I of the Indian Wildlife Protection Act
(A. K. Srivastava, in litt. to UNEP-WCMC, 2011) in 2001 (Notification S.O. 665(E)), effectively
banning all trade in Hippocampus spp. (Chapter VA, Indian Wildlife Protection Act, 1972).
While the implementation of the ban was found to have led to considerable declines in
syngnathid fishing, directed exploitation was observed to have re-gained momentum in
mid-2002 in some areas (Lipton and Thangaraj, 2002) and exports were reported to continue
illegally (Murugan et al., 2008; Vincent et al., 2011). As trade in sygnathids was banned in
India, no non-detriment findings or population assessments were being conducted
(A. K. Srivastava, in litt. to UNEP-WCMC, 2011).
Murugan et al. (2011) reported that H. kuda was being bred by the National Institute of
Oceanography, in order to conserve the species.
JAPAN
Distribution in range State: The species was reported to occur south of Izu Peninsula
(H. Takahashi in litt. to UNEP-WCMC, 2011) and its presence was reported from Yudomari
[Yakushima Island, southern Japan] (Motomura et al., 2010) and the Ryukyu Islands
[southern Japan] (Kuiter, 2000), where it was noted to occur in Okinawa (Lourie et al.,
1999a).
Population trends and status: H. kuda was not included in the Japanese Red List (Ministry of
the Environment, undated) and the population status of the species was considered to be
poorly known (Project Seahorse in litt. to UNEP-WCMC, 2011; H. Takahashi in litt. to UNEP-
WCMC, 2011).
Threats: The CITES Management Authority of Japan confirmed that Hippocampus spp. was
not targeted by directed fishery, and by-catch was considered low (H. Takahashi in litt. to
UNEP-WCMC, 2011).
Trade: According to data in the CITES Trade Database, the only reported trade in H. kuda
originating in Japan 2004-2010, was the import of 30 live, captive-bred specimens for
educational purposes by the United Arab Emirates in 2008. However the CITES MA of Japan
noted that they were not aware of this export and that steps were being taken to clarify this
report (H. Takahashi in litt. to UNEP-WCMC, 2011). No indirect exports of H. kuda
originating in Japan were reported 2004-2010. Annual reports from Japan have not yet been
received for 2009 and 2010.
Japan entered a reservation for this species in 2004.
Hippocampus spp. was reported to be used for traditional medicine as well as aquarium
fishes in Japan, with many specimens likely to originate from imports (Vincent, 1996). While
Japan was reported to have exported dried Hippocampus spp. in the 1990s, it was not clear
whether the specimens originated in the country or whether they consisted of re-exports
(Vincent, 1996).
Management: The species is not subject to any population monitoring or management,
although fisheries in general were reported to be under the control of Prefectural Governors
(H. Takahashi in litt. to UNEP-WCMC, 2011). No information on legal protection was found
for Japan.
KENYA
Distribution in range State: Occurrence in Kenya reported by Dawson (1986, cited in
Fishbase, 2010), although noted to be questionable. Specimens from Kenya were later
considered to represent H. fuscus and Kenya was therefore not considered to be a range State
for H. kuda (Lourie et al., 2004; Lourie, 2011).
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