Seahorses are globally recognised as flagship species for conservation; a charismatic animal identified as an ambassador for its environment and a mechanism for raising awareness of the species’ threats and conservation needs. Whilst this concept is, in theory, well understood, it is important to determine what this looks like in practice. How can a flagship species enhance engagement and connectivity between stakeholders, and improve conservation outcomes?
This presentation will discuss the conservation of the Endangered White’s seahorse (Hippocampus whitei), an endemic species to Australia and one of three Endangered seahorses globally. Using five years of dedicated conservation efforts as a case study, this presentation examines the critical role the White’s seahorse, as a flagship species, has in bridging the gap between scientific practice and community awareness, discuss the integration of broad perspectives including traditional owners, decision-makers, and the general public, into conservation efforts, and explore how flagship species can enhance visibility and science communication to improve conservation messages and outreach. The establishment of a partnership with the Gamay Rangers, the inclusion of Traditional Ecological Knowledge in conservation practice, and the role of a flagship species in promoting connection to Sea Country are highlighted.
Ultimately, this discussion will focus on how the White’s seahorse, as a flagship species, can improve conservation outcomes and how this framework can be applied to other threatened marine species and ecosystems.