Three Seahorses Rescued from Ghost Nets, Released Back into Ratnagiri Waters

Three seahorses rescued from abandoned fishing nets in Maharashtra's Ratnagiri district have been successfully rehabilitated and released back into their natural habitat, marking a significant conservation effort along the Konkan coast.

The seahorses were found entangled in discarded fishing nets commonly referred to as ghost fishing gear in the creeks of Mirya, Kadbadevi and Shirgaon. The rescue operation was carried out by the Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS) in collaboration with the Maharashtra Forest Department and other conservation partners.

Following their rescue, the animals were shifted to BNHS's Ratnagiri field station, where they received veterinary care and monitoring until they fully recovered. After a health assessment, the seahorses were released at their original locations on June 4.

Protected under Schedule I of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 , seahorses enjoy the highest level of legal protection in India. However, their populations continue to face threats from habitat degradation, accidental capture in fishing operations, illegal trade and increasing marine pollution.

Conservationists warn that abandoned fishing gear is emerging as a silent but deadly threat to marine biodiversity . Lost or discarded nets can continue trapping marine life for years, injuring or killing fish, seahorses, turtles and other species while damaging sensitive coastal ecosystems such as seagrass beds.

BNHS, which has been implementing a seahorse conservation project along Maharashtra's west coast since 2024, has identified key seagrass habitats and built a network of local fishermen to report accidental catches and stranded marine animals.

The successful rescue underscores the importance of collaboration between fishing communities, scientists and government agencies in safeguarding vulnerable marine species and protecting critical coastal habitats.