The plight of the Seahorse of the Pulai River Estuary, Johor
Invitation to the Exhibition
The plight of the Seahorse of the Pulai River Estuary, Johor
Background:
The spotted seahorse, Hippocampus Kuda, is one of the seven seahorse species in Malaysia . It is the only species primarily found in estuaries. Unfortunately, estuaries are subjected to extreme human impact and are among the most degraded coastal habitat in the world.
Less than a decade ago, Pulai River Estuary was still in a pristine state. The mangroves, sea grass, birds and fishes were abundant, and these included the seahorse. However, things have changed drastically when Pulai River Estuary finally gave way to the human development activities. The destructions spell disaster for seahorses, at least 50% of the seahorse population has disappeared.
Johor is fortunate to be bestowed with this very unique fish in which the males, rather than the females, get pregnant. But sadly this elusive fish has come unnoticed by our people until they are driven to the brink of extinction. The seahorse is the only fish, other than the whale shark, recognized by the 2003 IUCN Red List of Threatened Animals. Seahorses have been used in traditional medicine for centuries around the globe and the aquarium fish market yields millions from seahorse trade. With the recent discovery of seahorses as potential cures for carcinogenic diseases, the economic importance of seahorses must not be underestimated.
In May 2004 the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) in Malaysia has included seahorses in Appendix II, and this has put more pressure on the need to conserve and manage the Malaysian seahorse population.
There are less than 400 seahorses within Pulai River Estuary as revealed by researchers hence habitat protection is absolutely necessary for this population. Further habitat degradation must be halted.
There is also an extensive sea grass bed in the Johor Strait between PTP and Pulau Merambong, which possibly holds some hundreds of seahorses. Construction works are now in progress to build a new PTP docking area and it is feared that very soon the seagrass and seahorses will be gone.
Below are the details of our exhibition:
A. Aim and Objectives:
(1) To raise public awareness of the threats faced by the seahorses in PRE, Johor .
(2) To encourage volunteers to participate in the Save Our Seahorses (SOS) activities.
(3) To raise fund for SOS activities in the future.
B. Details:
(1) Location: Plaza Pelangi , Level 5 , Next to popular bookshop
(2) Time: 10am-10PM
(3) Date: 5 - 7 Aug 2005
C. Contents:
(1) Exhibit information about Seahorses population in Pulai River Estuary.
(2) Multimedia Presentation.
(3) Specimen of Seahorses.
(4) Trilingual brochures regarding Seahorses population in Pulai River Estuary.
(5) To raise fund by selling SOS badges
To show their support and concern upon the plight of the seahorses in Pulai River Estuary,
World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) Johor Recruitment Team and Malaysian Nature Society (MNS) Johor Branch will be joining us at the exhibition.
We cordially invite you to attend our exhibition.
Thank you!!
THING SIEW SHUEN
Coordinator,
Save Our Seahorses Action Committee
012-717-6747
