UK divers wanted for pipefish hunt

Seasearch is appealing for divers to keep an eye out for pipefish and seahorses in UK waters during this years diving season to help scientists gauge population sizes.
The volunteer conservation group said recent scientific reports suggest rising sea temperatures have caused an increase in breeding activity among juvenile pipefish in the North Atlantic.

Seasearch is encouraging divers to record data on all seahorse and pipefish sightings throughout the UK.

'If we can get a large number of divers looking for and recording pipefish and seahorses we can make a real contribution to understanding the changes in numbers and distribution that seem to be taking place,' said Seasearch national coordinator Chris Wood.

Seasearch is looking in particular at greater pipefish and snake pipefish, both of which reach a length of around 50cm and are often found in kelp at a variety of depths. It has also asked divers to keep a look out for UK seahorse species. 'They are not easy to tell apart, so take a picture if you can without disturbing them,' added Wood.

For more information and to record your sightings online visit the Seasearch website at www.seasearch.org.uk or email info@seasearch.org.uk