Seahorses
Updated 13 June 2023
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This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/protected-marine-species/seahorses
The offences and protections listed for seahorses are under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981. Seahorses are also protected by CITES.
If you are considering looking for seahorses or wish to photograph them – be aware!
Both species of UK seahorses - spiny (Hippocampus guttulatus) and short-snouted (Hippocampus hippocampus) are protected under Section 9 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 for the offences listed in Table 1 below.
You must have a wildlife licence if you are diving 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.
The MMO can issue a wildlife licence for specific reasons, for example, if activities are completed for scientific or educational purposes.
MMO will consider applications for licences for scientific or education purposes to allow seahorses to be photographed using flash photography on a case-by-case basis only. An independent scientific review 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 their advice if new evidence and scientific knowledge becomes available.
If you incidentally encounter a seahorse, to reduce any potential disturbance:
- Do not pursue seahorses if they swim away.
- If a seahorse displays signs of distress you must retreat slowly to at least 5 metres away, avoiding sudden movement.
The following list describes typical behaviour displayed by stressed seahorses:
- A seahorse will rise up into the water column above the seabed or into surrounding area and swim with its tail curled up;
- A seahorse will hold its head in a downward, chest hugging posture.
- A seahorse will turn its back, curl up, lie flat or move away.
- Seahorse’s colouring will darken, especially in the squares amongst the body ridges; and
- The pupils in the eyes of the seahorse will dilate/fluctuate.
MMO recommends following diver protocols to reduce the likelihood of committing an offence as a result of incidental encounters with seahorses. See the divers’ protocol (available from The Seahorse Trust) for seahorses and sea grass and the Wildlife Safe (WiSe) guidelines for taking part in research or filming.
If you are snorkelling & diving around seagrass beds it’s important that users ensure seagrass and seahorses are not harmed or disturbed. Ensure your diving equipment (such as hoses and gauges) is tucked away on you and your arms and legs do not dangle down onto or drag through the seagrass.
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
Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981
3. Contact information
Marine Conservation Team
0300 123 1032