Diving and snorkelling around seagrass and seahorses

Both species of seahorse native to the UK are protected under section 9 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981. These are spiny or long-snouted seahorse and the short-snouted seahorse. Both species are commonly observed in seagrass beds.  

Intentionally kill, injure or take a seahorse 

Intentionally or recklessly damage, destroy or obstruct access to a structure or place a seahorse uses for shelter or protection. 

*Intentionally or recklessly disturb a seahorse while it is occupying a structure or place it uses for shelter or protection 

You must have a wildlife licence if you dive or snorkel and intend to do something likely to disturb seahorses. This could include taking photographs or filming. Intentionally disturbing seahorses without a wildlife licence could lead to enforcement action. 

MMO may issue a wildlife licence for specific reasons, including some scientific or educational activities.  

If you encounter a seahorse while swimming, diving or snorkelling: 

Do not spend more than five minutes observing it 

Do not crowd around it with other people  

Retreat slowly to at least 5 metres away if it shows signs of stress, avoiding sudden movement 

Keep hoses, gauges and other equipment tucked away 

Do not allow your arms, legs or equipment to dangle onto or drag across the seabed 

Rise into the water column and swim with its tail curled up  

Turn its back, curl up, lie flat or move away 

Become darker in colour, especially in the squares between its body ridges 

If you see any of these signs, move away slowly and give the seahorse space.  

Images and videos shared publicly should model the actions on this page. MMO may investigate photographs or videos that show a stressed seahorse or suggest that an offence has occurred. This could lead to enforcement action. 

Records of seahorse distribution help their conservation. Report a seahorse seen in the sea or stranded to Natural England at [email protected]