The first part of the tagging project has been successful;
relocating all five tagged H. guttulatus several times during a
seven month period. No adverse effects from tagging and
handling have been observed. The successful relocation of
individuals is largely due to fidelity to small home ranges
(30 m across). The three tagged males were all pregnant and
on one occasion the courtship display was recorded.
Information on their breeding ecology (Foster & Vincent,
2004) will hopefully contribute to establishing management
plans for this unique site.
This study has demonstrated the value of volunteer survey
divers. Although they are not licensed to handle the seahorses,
their observations have been proven to be invaluable and the
study would not have been so successful without them. There
are plans to continue the project to gain insights into the overwinter
movements of seahorses, anticipating movement offshore
and return the following year.