Occurrence of Seahorses <i>Hippocampus</i> spp. in the Southernmost Part of Western Europe: A New Maximum Depth Record
2024
Ignacio Ruiz-Jarabo | Jorge Hernández-Urcera | Sira Pereira | Ignacio Sobrino | Juan A. López | Miquel Planas
Achieving sustainable resource use is a priority to meet future challenges. The Gulf of Cádiz, located in the Atlantic waters of southern Europe, is home to a significant fishing fleet due to the richness and diversity of its ecosystems. Managing this area is complex due to the diversity of variables, including social, ecological, and oceanographic factors. Therefore, multidisciplinary approaches are proposed for implementing conservation strategies. One strategy for defining area-based management measures is through the use of flagship species, such as seahorses. These emblematic animals can assist in defining such measures. However, there is currently scarce information on the occurrence of seahorses in the Gulf of Cádiz. In this study, we present the first occurrence data of two species of the genus <i>Hippocampus</i> (<i>H. hippocampus</i> and <i>H. guttulatus</i>) in this area. The Gulf of Cádiz is not only described as the southernmost region of their distribution in continental Europe, but it is also a significant landmark for the genus <i>Hippocampus</i>, as one adult was captured at a depth of up to 101 m. Five management areas based on differentiated benthic habitats are proposed. We believe that our study has the potential to significantly improve conservation of seahorses and induce a positive impact on the ecosystem.
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