2012. Review of Significant Trade - Cites

Hippocampus spinosissimus
although the proportion of the population affected was not clear (Project Seahorse, 2003b).
A clear understanding of life history and ecology was considered essential for 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 in the species: H. spinosissimus was listed in CITES
Appendix II on 15/05/04. Trade from the selected range States 2004-2010 consisted
primarily of wild-sourced bodies, with smaller quantities of live specimens, traded for
commercial purposes. The main range State involved in trade in bodies was Thailand, with
all the live specimens originating in 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.
In 2004, 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. spinosissimus was reported to be traded in large numbers (Koldewey and Martin-Smith,
2010), with specimens sold into the aquarium, curiosity and traditional medicine trades
(Project Seahorse, 2003b). 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 considered H. spinosissimus suitable for aquaculture and
the species was reported to be bred by a commercial operation in one non-range-State. The
majority of aquaculture facilities surveyed were reported to supply the live aquarium trade,
with only two also providing specimens for traditional medicine and curios (Koldewey and
Martin-Smith, 2010).
C. Country reviews
CAMBODIA
Distribution in range State: The species was reported to occur near the provinces of
Kampot, Kampong Saom [southern Cambodia] (Lourie et al., 2005) and Koh Rong Samloem
island (MCC, 2011c).
Population trends and status: Hippocampus spp. numbers were reported to have declined
drastically and although considered abundant in the past, some of the seven species
previously recorded in Cambodia have not been recorded recently (MCC, 2011a). In Koh
Koun (island north of Koh Rong Samloem), H. spinosissimus was abundant and dominated
the Hippocampus spp. composition, while other Hippocampus species had declined
substantially since 2007, due to trawling activities (MCC, 2011c).
Threats: Targeted fishing, large scale by-catch and habitat destruction were considered
threats to Hippocampus spp. in Cambodia (MCC, 2011a), with cyanide or dynamite fishing
and by-catch listed as further threats to marine life (MCC, 2011b).
Trade: According to data in the CITES Trade Database, no trade from Cambodia was
reported 2004-2010. Annual reports have not been received from Cambodia for 2009 or 2010.
Management: Capture, killing or trade of Hippocampus spp. was reported to be prohibited
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