Evidence of a rare colony of seahorses has been found in the River Thames, theEnvironment Agency has confirmed.
A short-snouted hippocampus seahorse was spotted during a routine fisheries survey at Greenwich ââ¬â the first sighting of its kind. The species, which can grow up to 15cm, are rarely found in the UK.
ââ¬ÅThe seahorse we found was only 5cm long, a juvenile, suggesting that they may be breeding nearby,ââ¬Â said Emma Barton, Environment Agency Fisheries Officer. ââ¬ÅThis is a really good sign that seahorse populations are not only increasing, but spreading to locations where they havenââ¬â¢t been seen before.ââ¬Â
ââ¬ÅWe routinely survey the Thames at this time of year and this is a really exciting discovery,ââ¬Â she added. ââ¬ÅWe hope that further improvements to water quality and habitat in the Thames will encourage more of these rare species to take up residence in the river.ââ¬Â
Seahorses are now protected under the 1981 Wildlife and Countryside Act. The hippocampus found in the River Thames was released back into the water.
Source: http://uk.news.yahoo.com/rare-seahorse-found-in-river-thames-could-be-part-of--colony-.html
A short-snouted hippocampus seahorse was spotted during a routine fisheries survey at Greenwich ââ¬â the first sighting of its kind. The species, which can grow up to 15cm, are rarely found in the UK.
ââ¬ÅThe seahorse we found was only 5cm long, a juvenile, suggesting that they may be breeding nearby,ââ¬Â said Emma Barton, Environment Agency Fisheries Officer. ââ¬ÅThis is a really good sign that seahorse populations are not only increasing, but spreading to locations where they havenââ¬â¢t been seen before.ââ¬Â
ââ¬ÅWe routinely survey the Thames at this time of year and this is a really exciting discovery,ââ¬Â she added. ââ¬ÅWe hope that further improvements to water quality and habitat in the Thames will encourage more of these rare species to take up residence in the river.ââ¬Â
Seahorses are now protected under the 1981 Wildlife and Countryside Act. The hippocampus found in the River Thames was released back into the water.
Source: http://uk.news.yahoo.com/rare-seahorse-found-in-river-thames-could-be-part-of--colony-.html