Seahorses

Why write about Seahorses on an Acupuncture website? I am associated with the Chinese Medicine trade by the fact that I practice Chinese Acupuncture. I used to use Patent herbal remedies but under pressure from the Pharmaceutical Industry the EU stopped Acupuncturists from using Patent herbs even though we are trained in this. I used to have good ethical Herbal suppliers here in the UK but because of the EUs actions they went out of business. I no longer use herbs and if a Patient wants them they will have to go to a Chinese Herb Shop who are not so choosy about what they sell. Every year a staggering 150 MILLION (plus) seahorses are used in the Traditional Medicine Trade, this is just not sustainable, they could be extinct in the wild within the next 20 to 30 years, unless we urgently address the problems facing them.

I support a UK charity called The Seahorse Trust which ironically is run by my Brother Neil. The Trust has set up projects in Cambodia and Ireland and has helped with many other projects around the world. In the UK, Neil got Seahorses to be listed as a 'Protected Species' and are now legally protected, he has also persuaded e-bay to stop selling live and dried Seahorses. He does a lot of research on Seahorses and has bred nearly every type of Seahorse in the world, he advises the Sealife Centres and the National Marine Aquarium on how to keep Seahorses. I am a volunteer Diver with the Trust and we are trying to get an area at South Beach, Studland, Dorset protected as a Marine Protection Zone, unfortunately there are a lot of 'not in my backyard' yacht owners there but we will win in the end. This is a major Seahorse breeding area and is of world importance.

Please if you care about wildlife, donate to the Seahorse Trust. The Trust is supported by many people and two of it's Patrons are Chris Packham and Kate Humble but most of the big charities are getting all of the money at the moment and the Trust is struggling to survive, it may not last much longer and there is a lot more work to do. To visit the Trust click on the letters or the Seahorse Logo. To donate click on the Logo at the top or visit the Trust and click on there 'Donate' button. Any amount will help.

Thank you for your kindness, Kim Maidment

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