I was alerted to this today:
Of course, I have mixed feelings on even reporting it, as negative publicity is good publicity, one of the reasons why we ignore and never silence other scuba communities trash talking about us.
Shell Outlet
Brazen Seller of Dried Seahorses & Others!
I was alerted to this today:
Of course, I have mixed feelings on even reporting it, as negative publicity is good publicity, one of the reasons why we ignore and never silence other scuba communities trash talking about us.
Shell Outlet
SMN Publisher
that's just sickening... who in their insanist moment would want to buy a dried seahorse!!!!
Lottie
Bye bye seahorse
Apparently some of our Chinese friends!Originally Posted by lottie
SEE: http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/seahorse/hssurvival.html
Also some quotes...
"According to the International Union for the Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources Red List of Threatened Species, most species are ranked as 'vulnerable,' meaning that they soon may become endangered."
Many seahorses are listed as threatened according to international or national criteria. Seahorse trade is now largely unregulated, but all 32 species were recently provided protections under CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species). From this month (May 2004), trade will be controlled through a system of permits to ensure that it is sustainable and legal.
In 2002, the World Conservation Union (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species listed one species of seahorse as Endangered, 20 species as Vulnerable and the remaining 11 species as Data Deficient.
"Last year, 47,700 live seahorses worth about $40,000 were imported for aquaria trade," Asha Popatlal reported last month on Channel NewsAsia. "TCM [Traditional Chinese Medicine] practitioners import some two tonnes of dried seahorses annually, worth about $170,000. They are used as an ingredient in products to cure ailments such as asthma, swelling and impotence."
In Melbourne, the Herald-Sun said that Port Phillip's pot-bellied seahorse was at risk from poachers cashing in on soaring demand from China, where the creatures were used as sex stimulants.
"There are fears that poachers linked to Hong Kong's 'seahorse mafia' have moved into Australia, as traditional sources in Asian waters are fished out," the newspaper reported.
"The global seahorse trade is worth an estimated $100 million, with more than 25 million exported to China each year. Parts of the seahorse are the key ingredient in a Chinese aphrodisiac and can sell for up to $1000 per kg."
It doesn't sound to good for the seahorse!
Chrispy
Why would anyone in their right mind with the most remote semblance of the understanding of chemistry and biology possibly use dried seahorse bodies as a "sexual stimulant" instead of vardenafil, tadalifil or sildenafil?
SMN Publisher
I guess it is just the Chinese trying to deal with their small male parts.
Maybe they can't afford those little blue tablets and the dried seahorses are cheaper/more available on the black market!!
Lottie
Either way, they have a large....errrrr...small problem.Maybe they can't afford those little blue tablets and the dried seahorses are cheaper/more available on the black market!!
It does raise the question, at what point does it become cost effective to "farm raise" these creatures to supply what appears to be a considerable market? At least that way we can help conserve the wild populations. The aquarium trade is slowly heading in that direction for many fish species.
As for the uses for them .... anyone who thinks killing a tiger is OK, just so you can eat its penis to improve your own virility has some serious issues and nothing we say here is likely to change their attitudes!
Take only pictures, leave only bubbles!
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