Harwich fisherman discovers rare seahorse off Essex coast

Gary Hambling, who operates his boat out of Harwich discovered a male short-snouted Seahorse.

He found the creature in a monitoring pot near Harwich Harbour.

After the discovery, the live seahorse was immediately returned to his habitat.

Seahorses are protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981.

Bonnie Caleno, Environment Officer, Harwich Haven Authority, said: “No Seahorses have ever been identified in this area, or indeed along most of the Essex Coast.

“They are usually found in muddy estuaries, shallow water and are often associated with seagrass meadows.

“They were recently recorded in the Thames but not many recorded sighting have been seen in the south east coast."

Meanwhile, Gary added: "It's the first time in 40 years of fishing in and around the Haven that I've seen a Seahorse. I'd heard a story of one being found in a fish's stomach but that was all."

The find has since been reported to The Seahorse Trust, who manage the National Seahorse Database.

It has also been recorded on the iNaturalist.org app which have Harwich Haven Authority have been using to record coast species in and around Harwich.

To date, the project has received 119 observations and 52 species have been recorded.

To find out more about The Seahorse Trust visit theseahorsetrust.org.