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July 17, 2010

Captive breeding of seahorses in Chennai

     Chennai: Sea horses (marine species) are the latest attraction of the marine aquarium at the Zoological Survey of India (ZSI) premises in Santhome in Chennai. Through the techniques of captive breeding ZSI is making efforts to protect and increase the population of these rare species in an environment, which is identical to their natural eco system. The sea horses are generally found living together with Pipefishes and Dragon fishes along the coral reef areas. According to the authorities at the marine aquarium, seahorses play a vital role in protecting the coastal lines, which guards the Indian subcontinent from its three sides. "These horses they protect the coral reef continuously because the waves are hitting the shore continuously 24x7 and 365 days, if the coral reefs die then the waves will come and the land will erode," said K.Venkataraman, Scientist and Officer-In-Charge of the Marine Biology Regional Centre of the Zoological Survey of India (ZSI). "We have never seen a sea-horse in our life, probably in pictures or TVs we have seen sea-horse. This is a very rare exposure we are getting here and we are very happy that it is being kept here and protected," said Suba, a visitor. Nearly a decade ago, about 9.75 tonnes of sea horses were exported from India. The declining population of seahorses in 2001 forced the Union Ministry of Environment and Forests to categorise them under Schedule I Part II A of the Wildlife Protection Act of 1972. Around five different species of seahorses are found in the Indian coral reef areas. Among these five species of sea horses are in India and the one in Andaman and Nicobar Islands is said to grow as long as 14 inches. The seahorses have great medicinal value. They are also used as ornaments and as aquarium exhibits.
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