5 Million Seahorses Seized in $29M Global Smuggling Operation

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Nearly 5 million smuggled seahorses worth $29 million seized over 10 years - and experts say that's just the tip of the iceberg. 🌊

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Customs officials caught smugglers hiding these tiny marine creatures in passenger luggage at airports and sea cargo across 62 countries. 🛄

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Each dried seahorse sells for about $7 on the black market, primarily for use in traditional medicine markets in Asia. 💊

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Why are seahorses so valuable? They're believed to treat everything from asthma to impotence in traditional medicine practices dating back centuries. 🌿

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Seahorse smuggling routes are expanding beyond China and Hong Kong into Europe and Latin America, creating a global trafficking web. 🌐

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These marine creatures aren't smuggled alone - they're often found alongside elephant ivory and pangolin scales in massive wildlife trafficking operations. 🐘

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Despite being protected under international law (CITES), proving sustainable seahorse harvesting is nearly impossible, pushing the trade underground. ⚖️

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Shocking fact: Only 7% of seahorse seizure cases reported any legal penalties for smugglers. The crime continues with minimal consequences. 😲

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Beyond being trafficked, millions of seahorses are accidentally caught in fishing nets, especially destructive bottom trawls that scoop up everything in their path. 🎣

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Protecting seahorses isn't just about saving a species - they're vital indicators of ocean health and play key roles in marine ecosystems. 🌊

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