70 Seahorses Freed Back into the Sea: Breeding Program Releases Juveniles Off Mallorca's Coast

70 seahorses back in the sea off Mallorca

On a fresh October morning, young seahorses were released into the sea at two coastal sections of the island. Employees of the foundation that runs the breeding program released a total of 70 animals: on October 1 it was 66 short-snouted seahorses (Hippocampus hippocampus) in Cala Figuera near Calvià, two days later followed four long-snouted seahorses (Hippocampus guttulatus) at Cap Ses Salines near Colònia de Sant Jordi – including a pregnant female.

Why this matters

The program has been running since 2022 and has released just over 1,500 animals to date. The aim is not only to reintroduce individuals: seahorses are regarded as local indicators of the health of seagrass meadows and coastal habitats. If their numbers decline, something is usually wrong with the ecosystem – and you feel it later in fish stocks and water quality.

The juveniles were raised in aquariums and stayed there for up to one and a half years, until they reached a sufficient size of about twelve centimeters. Only then is the chance of surviving in the wild coastline realistic enough. Both release sites lie in EU protected areas, which increases the likelihood that the animals find a suitable habitat.

Who is behind this – and how is it funded?

The project collaborates with local sponsors and is financially supported by a fund that passes part of its administrative fees to conservation projects. On the boat you could hear the occasional clatter of gear and the shrieking of gulls; small, but symbolic, as many here say.

For locals and tourists this is not a big spectacle – there are no parades, only careful placement of the small animals into their new environment. Still: such steps add up. Those who walk more often along the beaches of Calvià or Ses Salines may, in the coming years, perhaps see more seahorses in the water. And that would be a good sign for the coast.

Note: Releases like these are part of biodiversity conservation measures and follow scientific guidelines to increase survival chances.