The Lined Seahorse Hippocampus erectus, the only seahorse species native to New York (NY), is listed as “vulnerable” on the Red List of Endangered Species (IUCN 2018). NY’s native seagrass, eelgrass Zostera marina, provides vital habitat for seahorses and other species. Unfortunately, eelgrass acreage in NY’s estuaries has suffered an 89% loss since records began in 1930 (NYS Seagrass Taskforce Final Report). Recent legislative measures were taken to help protect and conserve seahorse populations in NY (S13-0310, En Con L), prohibiting the collection of seahorses for commercial purposes, but further measures are needed to understand seahorse population dynamics and to increase available habitat in order for the species to persist.

Cornell Cooperative Extension (CCE) has been restoring eelgrass for over 30 years, and launched a community-based initiative to enhance eelgrass restoration efforts known as the “Marine Meadows Program” (MMP) back in 2011. Since that time, citizens have prepared thousands of shoots of eelgrass for planting by CCE SCUBA divers. CCE has also been involved in education about seahorses and their relationship with eelgrass since 2008 through camp curricula, school programming and outreach education.

Seahorses are the perfect ambassador species for CCE’s eelgrass restoration work, as they are habitat dependent and eelgrass is considered their preferred habitat in NY. With great public interest and concern about seahorses, in June 2018, the Seahorse Conservation Initiative was born, starting with a small number of seining events for the public and CCE’s summer camp attendees in the eelgrass meadow near our Tiana Facility in Hampton Bays, NY.

Our main goal is to expand the newly initiated Seahorse Conservation Initiative by implementing both professional as well as citizen-science based research and education about Long Island seahorses. All data collected by or submitted to the initiative will be inputted into an global database to help with conservation efforts, called “iSeahorse”. In-situ research would greatly increase our scientific knowledge of this species, and if we can demonstrate that seahorses are relying on specific habitat types in NY, this information can be passed onto government officials who could take further measures to protect seahorses.

Using citizen volunteers, we would also like to increase seahorse habitat through eelgrass plantings as well as creation of an artificial reef known as a “Seahorse Hotel” off of our Tiana Bayside Facility in Hampton Bays. Having two different habitat types for seahorses adjacent to each other will not only benefit seahorses but all types of marine life, and this area could serve as an educational and scientific research site for the future. By getting people in the water to look for seahorses, we will help foster stewardship of our marine habitats and the species that rely on them.

People who want to help but aren’t interested in getting in the water can participate in other events that will benefit seahorses, including a Marine Meadows workshop, an “ArtSea” Paint and Sip event or even purchase jewelry that supports the initiative!

In order for this more advanced research and restoration work to be possible, we are asking for donations for our Seahorse Conservation Fund. Your tax-deductible donation will directly support seahorse habitat creation and public workshops. Please consider this important cause.