The warning has come true: Seahorses have started to disappear because of overfishing and destruction of their habitat. Haribon Foundation, a non-governmental organization, has noted a 70-percent decrease in the catch of seahorses in the past 10 years. "With the rate of destruction and overfishing going on, our seahorses would be gone in the next 10 years," warned Nelso Perante of Haribon. Since seahorses are not listed as an endangered species, the gentle sea animals are not protected by law or any regulation on its fishing.

Gallardo, F. (1998, June 4). RP seahorses head for extinction. Philippine Daily Inquirer, p. 16.