70 Seahorses off Mallorca: Well-intentioned, but is it enough?

70 seahorses back in the sea off Mallorca — a success with reservations

On a clear October morning, when the pine trees send the scent of resin into the bay and seagulls cry over the waves, helpers released 70 young seahorses at two coastal spots on the island. On October 1, 66 short-snouted seahorses (Hippocampus hippocampus) were put into the water in Cala Figuera near Calvià, and two days later four long-snouted seahorses (Hippocampus guttulatus) were released at Cap Ses Salines close to the Colònia de Sant Jordi — among them a female already carrying eggs.

The central question: are we saving the coast — or just masking symptoms?

Such images are touching: small bodies cautiously disappearing among seagrass blades. But the central question is less romantic: Is the targeted release of juveniles enough to stop the long-term decline of the species? Since 2022 the breeding program has released just over 1,500 animals. That is impressive, but whether the number of wild populations will sustainably increase depends on more than tanks and goodwill.

Why it’s not just about individual seahorses

Seahorses are considered indicators of the health of seagrass meadows and coastal ecosystems. When their populations shrink, it is often an early warning sign: fewer juvenile fish, polluted water (see Almost 37 tons of waste from the sea), or destroyed spawning grounds. The project therefore does not only release animals but indirectly aims to protect entire habitats. The two release sites are located in EU protected areas — an advantage in the Natura 2000 network. Protected areas mean better chances for seagrass to grow and for juveniles to find shelter.

What is often overlooked

There are aspects that rarely appear in the public debate: genetic diversity, disease risks from intensively reared animals (see IUCN guidelines for reintroductions), and the question of habitat carrying capacity. Are the bred animals sufficiently genetically mixed so that inbreeding is not a long-term problem? How do you prevent inadvertently introducing pathogens into the wild population with cultured animals? And: how much seagrass and protected area does Mallorca need so that additional seahorses truly have a future?

Financing and transparency

The project is supported by local sponsors and receives funds from a fund that allocates parts of its administrative fees to conservation projects. On the boat, the clatter of equipment mixed with the cries of the seagulls — small sounds, big symbolism. Still, donors and funds should be more transparent about how much money is needed on an ongoing basis: not only for breeding and release, but also for monitoring, health checks and habitat restoration. Short-term money is good for PR pictures. Long-term budgets are needed for real impact.

Concrete opportunities and approaches

There are practical steps that could further help Mallorca:

1. Extensive monitoring: Tagging or genetic fingerprints of released animals, regular sighting programs and scientific evaluations — this is how success can be measured.

2. Habitat over individual rescue: More seagrass replanting, stricter controls to prevent anchor damage, and targeted restoration in critical bays, as discussed in More controls at sea: Cala Ratjada in focus.

3. Transparent financing: Long-term funding agreements, a share of tourism levies for coastal protection and open reports on spending and results.

4. Citizen involvement: Volunteer dive and observation groups, involving local schools, citizen-science apps — people walking on the beach can become watchful eyes.

A piece of hope, but not a cure-all

The release of 70 seahorses is a small, visible building block. Those who visit Cala Figuera or Cap Ses Salines more often may perhaps see a seahorse more frequently in the future. But the sight of the small animals must not distract from the need for more fundamental action: fewer coastal construction projects, better water quality and larger, contiguous protected areas, and attention to issues such as Mallorca's problem with floating holiday rentals.

In the end, there remains a feeling often felt on such days by the sea: a mix of optimism and the sober realization that good intentions alone will not heal the sea. If politics, science and citizens work together here, symbolism can turn into real conservation impact. And that would be a real reason to breathe easier for Mallorca’s coasts.

Note: Releases like this follow scientific guidelines and are part of a broader package of measures to preserve biodiversity.