Guidance

Seahorses

Updated 13 June 2023

Section 9 of the protects both species of seahorse native to the UK: spiny or long-snouted seahorse (Hippocampus guttulatus) and short snouted seahorse (Hippocampus hippocampus). The offences are listed in Table 1. Seahorses are also protected by . 

You must have a wildlife licence if you are diving or snorkelling and intending to do something likely to disturb seahorses. This could be taking photographs or filming. Intentionally disturbing seahorses without a wildlife licence could lead to enforcement action. 

MMO may issue a wildlife licence for specific reasons, this may include activities which are completed for scientific or educational purposes. 

MMO will consider applications for wildlife licences to allow seahorses to be photographed using flash photography on a case-by-case basis only. An concluded that flash photography at high levels can disturb seahorses, especially when combined with other activities. It may be possible to reduce the effects using conditions on licences issued. MMO will update advice if new evidence and scientific knowledge becomes available. 

If you incidentally encounter a seahorse whilst swimming or diving, to reduce any potential disturbance: 

• Do not spend more than five minutes observing a seahorse; 

• Never move or touch a seahorse, it is common to find seahorses lying motionless on the seafloor; 

• Do not crowd a seahorse with multiple persons surrounding it; 

• Do not pursue a seahorse if they swim away; 

• If a seahorse displays signs of stress, you must retreat slowly to at least 5 metres away, avoiding sudden movement; 

• Ensure your equipment (such as hoses and gauges) is tucked away and your arms and legs do not dangle down onto or drag across the seabed.  

The following list describes typical behaviour displayed by stressed seahorses: 

• A seahorse may swim away or make erratic movements; 

• A seahorse may rise up into the water column above the seabed or into surrounding area and swim with its tail curled up; 

• A seahorse may hold its head in a downward, chest hugging posture; 

• A seahorse may turn its back, curl up, lie flat or move away; 

• A seahorse바카라 사이트™s colouring may darken, especially in the squares amongst the body ridges. 

MMO recommends following the seagrass and seahorse diving guidance note when diving or snorkelling in areas of seagrass or known seahorse locations. 

0.1 Stranded seahorses  

Seahorses can sometimes be found washed up on the shore. If you find a live seahorse, return it to the sea immediately.  

0.2 Reporting seahorse sightings 

Records of seahorse distribution are vital for their conservation. Any sightings of seahorses whether in the sea, or stranded, should be shared with Natural England by emailing the Seahorse Team, at:바카라 사이트¯seahorses@naturalengland.org.uk.  

Please include when and where the seahorse sighting occurred, and, where possible (without disturbance occurring), a photograph.  If possible, location on a map, GPS coordinates, a grid reference or What3words to give more precise location are particularly helpful.  

You can also report your sightings to to help with thei

1. Seahorse Offences under Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981

Offences	Short snouted seahorse (section 9)	Spiny seahorse (section 9)
Kill or injure	X	X
Capture	X	X
Possess or keep	X	X
Damage or destroy place of shelter or protection	X	X
Disturb	X	X
Transport or possess for sale or offer or expose for sale or advertise for sale	X	X
Use prohibited method to take or kill	X	X

2. Further information

3. Contact information

Marine Conservation Team

0300 123 1032

conservation@marinemanagement.org.uk