World's largest batch of endangered seahorses released in Port Stephens
The habitats - colloquially named seahorse 'hotels' - are metal crates, designed to rust away as they are covered in sponges, corals and seagrass, providing a haven for the seahorses, the population of which has been devastated by loss of natural habitat.
State estimates say that more than 90 per cent of the soft coral and sponge habitat has declined in Port Stephens, where the seahorses were once abundant, destroyed by boat anchors and moorings and sand inundation.
The school of White's seahorses - known for their distinctive and varied colours - were bred in captivity in a $600 million program funded by the federal government and led by the state's Department of Primary Industries.
"White's seahorses are one of 110 species prioritised for recovery under the Australian government's Threatened Species Action Plan," Environment Minister Murray Watt said.
NSW Agriculture Minister Tara Moriarty said the release gave "real hope for the future of this iconic species".
White's seahorse is endemic to the Australian east coast and was named for the surgeon general on the First Fleet, John White. It is one of four species of seahorses known to NSW waters, and lives in shallow estuaries.
Numbers are said to be most abundant around Port Stephens and Sydney, but the species has been found in eight estuaries along the coast.
"Port Stephens prides itself on our stunning waterways and rich marine life, so it's very special to see more than a thousand tiny baby endangered seahorses being released into our estuary," MP Kate Washington said.
The habitats were built and decorated with biodegradable materials by local schoolchildren who have joined the recovery efforts and are learning about threats to the species.
"It's wonderful to see so many of our young people interested in hands-on conservation, helping shape a future where our unique marine life can thrive," Paterson MP Meryl Swanson said.
Further releases are expected later this year in Botany Bay.
A school of more than 1200 endangered seahorses has been released into artificial habitat at Port Stephens in the world's largest event of its kind, as part of a state and federal effort to protect the species.
The habitats - colloquially named seahorse 'hotels' - are metal crates, designed to rust away as they are covered in sponges, corals and seagrass, providing a haven for the seahorses, the population of which has been devastated by loss of natural habitat.
State estimates say that more than 90 per cent of the soft coral and sponge habitat has declined in Port Stephens, where the seahorses were once abundant, destroyed by boat anchors and moorings and sand inundation.
The school of White's seahorses - known for their distinctive and varied colours - were bred in captivity in a $600 million program funded by the federal government and led by the state's Department of Primary Industries.
"White's seahorses are one of 110 species prioritised for recovery under the Australian government's Threatened Species Action Plan," Environment Minister Murray Watt said.
NSW Agriculture Minister Tara Moriarty said the release gave "real hope for the future of this iconic species".
White's seahorse is endemic to the Australian east coast and was named for the surgeon general on the First Fleet, John White. It is one of four species of seahorses known to NSW waters, and lives in shallow estuaries.
Numbers are said to be most abundant around Port Stephens and Sydney, but the species has been found in eight estuaries along the coast.
"Port Stephens prides itself on our stunning waterways and rich marine life, so it's very special to see more than a thousand tiny baby endangered seahorses being released into our estuary," MP Kate Washington said.
The habitats were built and decorated with biodegradable materials by local schoolchildren who have joined the recovery efforts and are learning about threats to the species.
"It's wonderful to see so many of our young people interested in hands-on conservation, helping shape a future where our unique marine life can thrive," Paterson MP Meryl Swanson said.
Further releases are expected later this year in Botany Bay.
A school of more than 1200 endangered seahorses has been released into artificial habitat at Port Stephens in the world's largest event of its kind, as part of a state and federal effort to protect the species.
The habitats - colloquially named seahorse 'hotels' - are metal crates, designed to rust away as they are covered in sponges, corals and seagrass, providing a haven for the seahorses, the population of which has been devastated by loss of natural habitat.
State estimates say that more than 90 per cent of the soft coral and sponge habitat has declined in Port Stephens, where the seahorses were once abundant, destroyed by boat anchors and moorings and sand inundation.
The school of White's seahorses - known for their distinctive and varied colours - were bred in captivity in a $600 million program funded by the federal government and led by the state's Department of Primary Industries.
"White's seahorses are one of 110 species prioritised for recovery under the Australian government's Threatened Species Action Plan," Environment Minister Murray Watt said.
NSW Agriculture Minister Tara Moriarty said the release gave "real hope for the future of this iconic species".
White's seahorse is endemic to the Australian east coast and was named for the surgeon general on the First Fleet, John White. It is one of four species of seahorses known to NSW waters, and lives in shallow estuaries.
Numbers are said to be most abundant around Port Stephens and Sydney, but the species has been found in eight estuaries along the coast.
"Port Stephens prides itself on our stunning waterways and rich marine life, so it's very special to see more than a thousand tiny baby endangered seahorses being released into our estuary," MP Kate Washington said.
The habitats were built and decorated with biodegradable materials by local schoolchildren who have joined the recovery efforts and are learning about threats to the species.
"It's wonderful to see so many of our young people interested in hands-on conservation, helping shape a future where our unique marine life can thrive," Paterson MP Meryl Swanson said.
Further releases are expected later this year in Botany Bay.
A school of more than 1200 endangered seahorses has been released into artificial habitat at Port Stephens in the world's largest event of its kind, as part of a state and federal effort to protect the species.
The habitats - colloquially named seahorse 'hotels' - are metal crates, designed to rust away as they are covered in sponges, corals and seagrass, providing a haven for the seahorses, the population of which has been devastated by loss of natural habitat.
State estimates say that more than 90 per cent of the soft coral and sponge habitat has declined in Port Stephens, where the seahorses were once abundant, destroyed by boat anchors and moorings and sand inundation.
The school of White's seahorses - known for their distinctive and varied colours - were bred in captivity in a $600 million program funded by the federal government and led by the state's Department of Primary Industries.
"White's seahorses are one of 110 species prioritised for recovery under the Australian government's Threatened Species Action Plan," Environment Minister Murray Watt said.
NSW Agriculture Minister Tara Moriarty said the release gave "real hope for the future of this iconic species".
White's seahorse is endemic to the Australian east coast and was named for the surgeon general on the First Fleet, John White. It is one of four species of seahorses known to NSW waters, and lives in shallow estuaries.
Numbers are said to be most abundant around Port Stephens and Sydney, but the species has been found in eight estuaries along the coast.
"Port Stephens prides itself on our stunning waterways and rich marine life, so it's very special to see more than a thousand tiny baby endangered seahorses being released into our estuary," MP Kate Washington said.
The habitats were built and decorated with biodegradable materials by local schoolchildren who have joined the recovery efforts and are learning about threats to the species.
"It's wonderful to see so many of our young people interested in hands-on conservation, helping shape a future where our unique marine life can thrive," Paterson MP Meryl Swanson said.
Further releases are expected later this year in Botany Bay.
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