Seahorses in the Solent

08/07/2007 00:00:00 Following several recent discoveries of seahorses within the Solent, another two have been found by local fishermen. This brings the total up to eight since September, breaking previous Wildlife Trust records of just one or two sighting in the region at this time of year. Vicky Swales, Marine Officer for the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust said ‘This is really exciting news for the Solent. Seahorses are nationally rare within the UK and it’s great to be getting confirmed sightings such as these from local fishermen’.

Seahorses generally live in seagrass meadows, and the coast of Hampshire and the Isle of Wight is fortunate to be one of a few places within the UK where seagrass meadows still exist. The Wildlife Trust has set up the Solent Seagrass Project to monitor seagrass meadows and record sightings of species such as seahorses.

‘We are asking for help from local divers and the public to let us know if they see any seahorses or seagrass’ said Vicky. ‘We are also advising fishermen to return live seahorses to the area where they were caught as soon as possible and to forward their observations to the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust’.

For further information please visit www.hwt.org.uk or to report your sightings, contact the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust on 01489 774 400 or by email at feedback@hwt.org.uk.