The Knysna Seahorse's Life in Plett

The Keurbooms Estuary shares the very limited home range of the so-called Knysna seahorse, Hippocampus capensis, with the Knysna and Swartvlei estuaries. Despite abundant and widespread eelgrass beds in the Keurbooms estuary, the distribution of seahorses is patchy, posing many questions regarding the ecology in the eelgrass environment.

This presentation will focus on the outcome of snorkelling surveys carried out over the past 7 years at selected sites, which have revealed distinct changes in seahorse density. Along with records of the seahorse sizes, sex and pregnancy state, observations have been made of seahorse behaviour as well as of the eelgrass condition, dominant epibenthic fauna and fish. Whilst some correlations of these conditions are apparent, further investigations of seasonal patterns, tidal flow and diet are to be investigated as determining factors affecting the seahorse population’s distribution.

Through continued and increased monitoring of four selected transect sites within the estuary, it is hoped to accumulate sufficient data to test and prioritise the various parameters that appear to favour distribution of this endangered species in the Keurbooms Estuary.

Each session consists of 20-minute presentations, followed by a joint Q&A session of 15 minutes.

ABOUT KATHIE PEARD & BRONWEN CURRIE

Both authors Kathie Peard and Bronwen Currie are retired marine scientists, each with more than 20 years of experience in coastal ecology along the Namibian coast. They formerly held the positions of Principal/Chief Biologist with the Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources. During this period their work included a wide range of oceanographic and biological research, including intertidal, shallow and deep-water benthic surveys, as well as vessel-based offshore biogeochemical investigations.

Kathie Peard headed the Lüderitz Marine Research station whilst Bronwen Currie headed the Aquaculture Section at the National Information and Research Centre at Swakopmund, and later administered the SEABED project. She is a founding member of the Deep Ocean Stewardship Initiative: DOSI. Kathie and Bronwen have presented their research at numerous international forums and conferences. After relocating to Plettenberg Bay, they continued their research activities after a chance meeting with Louw Claassens sparked an intense interest in the Knysna seahorse resulting in many fascinating hours of snorkelling surveys in search of the Knysna seahorse in the Keurbooms estuary .