SEAHORSE experts gathered at Chester Zoo as part of the Native Seahorse Focus Group, organised by Anglesey Sea Zoo.
The native seahorse, hippocampus hippocampus (short-snouted seahorse), is mainly found around the south coast of the UK, with a large population in Studland Bay.
The majority of native specimens in aquaria today were caught accidently by fisherman off the coast of Hastings in 2007 – before both species were given protection under the Wildlife and Countryside Act in 2008.
Aquarium experts study the native seahorses for education and husbandry research. The Deep and ZSL were among the experts who attended the meeting.