2012. Review of Significant Trade - Cites

Hippocampus kelloggi
Range State
Thailand
United
Republic of
Tanzania
Viet Nam
Provisional
category
Urgent
Concern
Least
Concern
Least
Concern
Summary
H. kelloggi was categorised as Vulnerable in the Thai Red Data Book and
Hippocampus spp. was considered to be threatened by overfishing,
particularly through bycatch. While the export of live Hippocampus spp.
is not permitted, this does not appear to apply to dried specimens.
International trade in wild specimens (bodies, reported in kg) was high
2004-2010, potentially representing several million specimens. The
impact of trade is not known and available information indicates that
exports are occurring without a scientifically based non-detriment
finding, therefore categorised as Urgent Concern.
In January 2012, as this report was going to press, the Thai Management
Authority submitted additional information on population surveys and
management of Hippocampus spp.. This information will be presented at
the Animals Committee.
Status poorly known, with no species specific information available,
although declines in the genus were reported. However no international
trade reported 2004-2010. Therefore, on the basis of no anticipated trade,
categorised as Least Concern.
H. kelloggi was reported to be abundant but declining. By-catch and
localised overharvest were considered threats, and illegal trade also
reported. Trade was moderate to high until 2006, with no reported trade
in wild-sourced specimens since 2007. Viet Nam published a quota for
7000 captive-bred specimens in 2011, and confirmed that trade in wild
specimens would not be permitted until a non-detriment finding had
been made. Therefore, on the basis of no anticipated trade in wild
specimens, categorised as Least Concern.
B. Species overview
Biology: Hippocampus kelloggi occurs in areas with soft bottom sea floor in depths over 20 m
(Kuiter, 2000), where it prefers slopes with strong currents (Kuiter, 2009). It is associated
with gorgonian corals and sea whips (Lourie et al., 2004).
H. kelloggi is one of the largest Hippocampus species (Lourie et al., 2004), with a maximum
recorded adult height of about 28 cm (Kuiter, 2000; 2009) and a height at first maturity of
15 cm (Lourie et al., 1999). Its life history is poorly known (Lourie et al., 2004).
The sex ratio in Hippocampus spp. populations is equal (Lourie et al., 1999) and animals are
monogamous within a breeding cycle (Foster and Vincent, 2004). The reproductive rate of
Hippocampus spp. is considered to be limited, due to the combination of small brood sizes
and lengthy parental care (Lourie et al., 1999).
Hippocampus spp. have small home ranges, low mobility and low natural adult mortality
(Vincent, 1996). They were thought to live between 1-5 years (Vincent and Koldewey, 2006),
but data on survival rates and other life history parameters was considered limited (Foster
and Vincent, 2004).
Taxonomic note: Several taxonomic revisions of the genus Hippocampus have taken place,
including revisions to H. kelloggi (Lourie et al., 1999; 2004). All non-spiny Hippocampus used
to be traded as H. kuda, prior to the isolation of H. barbouri, H. borboniensis, H. comes,
H. fisheri, H. fuscus and H. kelloggi as distinct species (Lourie et al., 2004). Lourie et al. (2004)
considered H. suezensis to be a synonym, while Kuiter (2009) referred to specimens from
Oman and Egypt as H. suezensis rather than H. kelloggi. DNA analysis of the Tanzanian
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