Tropical seahorses a big hit with students

Students at a local training provider are unlocking the secrets of one of the world’s most intriguing sea creatures as part of their research for an innovative program.

A group from the Kimberley Training Institute’s Broome Aquaculture Centre and the Hook, Line and Thinker program purchased a small number of endangered tropical seahorses earlier this year for their breeding program and to discover the creatures’ unique habits.

Six adult Kuda seahorses arrived from Indonesia last month and were an instant hit with staff and students. The creatures were placed in tank systems designed and built by the students where they will be monitored for research.

Aquaculture co-ordinator Jeff Cooper said seahorses were on the endangered list because of a high level of global fishing pressure for the purposes of Chinese medicine and marine ornamental aquaculture in Australia and abroad.

“The global pressure has reduced the wild seahorse population to a critical level,” he said Mr Cooper said projects like this at KTI provided an innovative way for students to learn abut aquaculture.