Amanda VincentRace to save the seahorse
Preserving the world’s natural heritage for future generations is part of what drives Amanda Vincent in her quest for the conservation of marine fish – and seahorses in particular.
The use of seahorses in traditional medicine, as curios and in aquariums has long placed them at risk. But world-renowned marine biologist Amanda Vincent and her Project Seahorse have had considerable success in protecting them.
Make no mistake, I am fascinated by seahorses. But my job has evolved — it’s more and more about policy.
Her lobbying efforts helped to win commitments from among the 181 countries that are signatories to CITES (the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora) to protect their seahorse populations.
All of Project Seahorse’s work is based on cutting-edge research, which is then turned into highly effective conservation action in collaboration with governments, local communities and other stakeholders.
Among the many initiatives undertaken by Vincent, the iSeahorse app is being used by citizen scientists worldwide to capture images of seahorses and build an impressive international database. Vincent believes the involvement of the general public in such research is vital. Her lobbying and campaigning embrace the entire marine environment.
Professor Vincent holds the professorial chair at the Institute for the Oceans and Fisheries, University of British Columbia in Canada.
Seahorse species described as ”vulnerable” – out of the 38 species assessed so far – on the Red list of Threatened Species
Seahorses traded annually