About 200 seahorses have been introduced to new underwater homes at Balmoral Beach as part of ongoing work by research, education and government agencies to restore and protect marine environments.
The Mosman-based Sydney Institute of Marine Science (SIMS), working with the University of Technology Sydney (UTS) and the NSW Department of Primary Industries, successfully released juvenile endangered White's Seahorses (Hippocampus whitei) along nets under the wharf at Balmoral Baths.
The seahorses were bred and reared at the SIMS aquarium in Chowder Bay before being released on the nets that are teeming with algae, sponges, and marine life, creating a habitable environment.
SIMS Research Associate and UTS Professor of Marine Ecology Dave Booth said White's were one of two seahorse species in the world that were endangered.
"It loves seagrasses and sponges," he said.
While the seahorses are under threat, SIMS and others were working hard on rehabilitation.
This involved breeding seahorses in captivity for release, as well as looking after the harbour.
"They become super seahorses and can survive well in the wild," Professor Booth said.
"The idea here is to boost the numbers."
It follows a release of seahorses in 2023 in Chowder Bay.
Mosman Mayor Carolyn Corrigan said the projects contributed significantly to the biodiversity and sustainability of the local environment.
It was so important for Mosman, for Balmoral to be the second seahorse release site in Sydney, she said.
Other projects that focus on restoring seagrass and other aspects of the marine ecosystem and harbour foreshore in the area also assisted.
Boat users and community members could help by avoiding anchor and other damage to seagrasses.
SIMS Director and CEO Professor Martina Doblin said the projects were helping to increase public education and extending care for green spaces underwater to 'blue spaces' as well.
Restoring species to their native habitats in the harbour helped create a thriving underwater world, for generations to come, she said.
