Giant seahorse stuns beachgoers at Manly beach

Collaborative artwork celebrates the success of White’s Seahorse Breeding Project

Sydney, Friday 5 July 2024

Manly locals were treated to a surprise today, as a giant seahorse spanning 40 metres, appeared sketched into the sand on the iconic Sydney beach. The artwork celebrates the five-year milestone of the Sydney Seahorse Breeding Project and aims to raise awareness about the endangered White’s seahorse (Hippocampus whitei).

The Sydney Seahorse Breeding Project is the world’s first initiative dedicated to boosting the population of White’s Seahorses, a species native to the waters surrounding Sydney.

“We wanted to bring awareness to this tiny species and what better way than by creating a huge seahorse here on the sand of Manly Beach. Over the past five years, we have been breeding White’s Seahorses and releasing them into the ocean to boost the population. We have even released a group around the corner at Little Manly Beach, so this was the perfect place for our giant seahorse. We look forward to continuing this local conservation work and releasing many more seahorses,” remarked Taylah Starc, Aquarist at SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium.

School children, participating in Project Humble, decorated the giant seahorse with 800 mini seahorses crafted from sustainable materials, each representing a seahorse released by SEA LIFE Sydney.

Since 2019, SEA LIFE Sydney has released hundreds of White’s Seahorses and installed 62 ‘seahorse hotels’ around Sydney and Port Stephens. These metal structures create vital habitats for the species once brought to life by sea sponges, corals and algae.  

During the July school holidays, visitors to SEA LIFE Sydney can join an adventure, learning how to protect seahorses, uncover threats in the wild, and discover more about how SEA LIFE Sydney is working to protect them. For those wanting to learn even more, the Behind-The-Scenes tour takes guests inside the seahorse breeding facility where they can see the next group of baby seahorses set to be released later this year.

To support the ongoing efforts, enthusiasts can adopt a seahorse, helping fund the nurturing of seahorse fry onsite before release.

Kid’s tickets to SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium are 50% off* during the July school holidays, to secure tickets, visit www.visitsealife.com/sydney/tickets-passes/

*T&Cs Apply - See website for details