] Seahorses are their own worst enemy. Fished to the point ] of extinction for the traditional Chinese medicine ] market, they mate for life and their unwillingness to ] seek new partners after being separated has done little ] to improve their chances of survival. ] ] One of their better hopes for conservation may lie in the ] unlikeliest of places -- a ramshackle shed perched on the ] edge of the Atlantic Ocean. ] ] Seahorse Ireland says its goal is to help save the ] species by cultivating seahorses born in captivity for ] the growing aquarium market. ] ] "We want to make people aware that the captive-bred ] seahorse is a much better buy," said production manager ] Ken Maher, from the makeshift laboratory in Connemara, ] west Ireland. ] ] "There's no deleterious effect on the environment and the ] seahorse will survive and flourish in your tank." ] ] Seahorses are no ordinary sea creatures, notwithstanding ] their monogamy which is highly unusual for the animal ] kingdom. It is the male who receives eggs from his female ] partner and fertilizes them himself. CNN.com - Monogamous seahorse is its own worst enemy - Jun. 23, 2003 |