IUCN Seahorse, Pipefish and Seadragon specialist group

As the recognized global authority on seahorses, pipefishes, seadragons, and their relatives, we are dedicated to the conservation of these important fishes.

The IUCN Seahorse, Pipefish and Seadragon Specialist Group provides independent technical and scientific advice to governments and other groups to improve the conservation status of these species. We regularly assess the threat of extinction for these animals, undertake and publish research that supports the survival of wild populations, and develop conservation action plans for threatened species.

Our Specialist Group’s role as the IUCN Red List Authority is to ensure that all species within our jurisdiction (all fish in the orders Gasterosteifiormes and Syngnathiformes) are correctly assessed against the IUCN Red List Categories and Criteria at least once every ten years and, if possible, every five years