Seahorse population in nature reserve Ria Formosa, Algarve in Portugal
From our Boutique Guesthouse-Moncarapacho in the Algarve we look out over the fishing village of Fuseta, the Atlantic Ocean and a unique lagoon in the Ria Formosa nature reserve. In the eastern part of the Algarve, between Faro and Tavira, lies a 60-kilometer-long belt of islands and peninsulas with a lagoon behind it.
Seahorses in the Ria Formosa National Park
This entire nature reserve also consists of sandbanks, salt pans, marshes, white beaches and dunes with plants and animals. You can actually compare it to our Wadden area.
The Ria Formosa , also called the Pearl of the Algarve, is home to the largest community of seahorses. Unfortunately, the seahorse population has declined dramatically over the last 20 years due to environmental changes, illegal fishing and excessive shipping.
Raising Funds
Our German neighbours, together with other members of the local Rotary club in Almancil, are raising funds for these endangered seahorses. With this money, seahorses are released into protected areas of the Ria Formosa where boating and fishing are prohibited.
Because they are so enthusiastic about the preservation of seahorses, we have become more and more involved in this beautiful project. For example, Maarten and I visited the research center in Faro in February 2023.
Scientist Jorge Palma, a researcher from the Center for Marine Sciences of the University of the Algarve, spoke enthusiastically about these special creatures and the repopulation project called “Seahorse”.
Photo: Researcher Jorge gives tours on request 
In this research center, seahorses are cared for in captivity by Jorge and his team of volunteers. A few times a year, the young seahorses are released into protected areas.
About the seahorses
Jorge told about the seahorses. They are a special fish! They only eat what they like. They are vulnerable, can't swim well and have to hold on to water plants with their tails, a special sight. The females lay their eggs in the belly of the male and leave the rest to the male. Unique is that the males take care of the offspring!
Photo: Seahorses in the research center 
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