World’s biggest release of seahorses completed by SIMS at Chowder Bay

The release was the culmination of a White's Seahorse breeding program at the SIMS aquarium in Chowder Bay, where the institute is a tenant of the Harbour Trust. SIMS is located in historic buildings at Chowder Bay and Georges Heights in Mosman under a long term lease from the Sydney Harbour Federation Trust. The location, near the Sydney Heads is ideal for marine research with high quality seawater available to service the SIMS research aquarium.

The primary objective of this program, which began with 3 pregnant males, was to reintroduce the endangered species into Sydney Harbour and to better understand on the ideal conditions that promote their survival and growth. White's Seahorses have an average survival rate of 1% but SIMS managed to achieve 90% by setting the temperature above 23 degrees and feeding them brine shrimp regularly. The initiative also received support from the Mosman Environmental Foundation.

To facilitate ongoing research and monitoring, each seahorse was released with a visual implant elastomer tag. This tagging method involves injecting a liquid elastomer beneath the seahorse's tissue, which eventually solidifies into a flexible and biocompatible material, effectively creating a fluorescent 'tattoo.' These tags enable researchers to track the seahorses' progress in the wild, including their survival rates, growth patterns, and reproductive success.

In addition to its scientific significance, the program also has an exciting community aspect. Specifically, local scuba divers are being actively encouraged to participate in monitoring the seahorses by submitting photographs. These images can be uploaded to the Sydney Seahorse Project on iNaturalist. By involving the community, SIMS aims to harness the collective observation power and provide valuable insights while the seahorses adjust to their new environment.