TCM: Seahorses

[Jas]

I've been doing quite a bit of research into seahorses, as I'm planning on getting a pair or two for a species tank in Sept or so.

Anyway, turns out that there is a huge problem with trade in seahorses for TCM (as there is for other threatened/endangered species). So I'm reading up on the "Take Action" page of Project Seahorse , and find that this is what they have to say:

Minimize your use of dried seahorses in traditional medicine. Particularly seek alternatives when choosing a tonic food. Consider whether your ailment needs to be treated with seahorses or whether another medicine might suffice.

If you must buy dried seahorses, ask your dealer to purchase species that are least threatened (such information is gradually emerging). Refuse to buy pregnant males, since their young have died with them, reducing the prospects for population recovery. Avoid pre-packaged medicines containing seahorses as these often include juveniles that have been collected before they can reproduce.

Nothing about the effectiveness of seahorses in TCM, and that there's no evidence that seahorses, in whole or in part, cure anything.

Wouldn't one wanting to reduce the trade in seahorses (which is HUGE), aim to STOP the trade in seahorses through education?

This has got to be the one thing about TCM that pisses me off the most, and that's its impact on wild populations, for nothing.

I was thinking maybe an email might be in order, does anyone have any good sources for this specifically?

 

[CaveDave]

Unhappily, for every e-mail you send, there will likely be 21,486 Asians and others gladly paying the harvesters to provide ever more of the product to cure their ailments.

Such is the way of woo.

Dave

 

[Jyera]

Consider this.

"Pure Homeopathic Water of Seahorse for TCM"

Pros:
- Low production cost.
- High margin.
- Decrease the use of seahorse drastically.
- One seashorse alone can be used to make ever more potent solution.
- Use of single seahorse ensure quality, consistency, and safety.
- If there is need to use different type of seashorses, one is enough.

Cons:
- The TCM people might speakout against Homeopathic approach.
- The Homeopathic might protest against use of their proprietary technology.

I figured if only 1% of the 21486 people response to buy the product, we will have 214 sales per email.
Part of the revenue could be fed back to protect seahorses.

 

[Jas]

Unhappily, for every e-mail you send, there will likely be 21,486 Asians and others gladly paying the harvesters to provide ever more of the product to cure their ailments.

Oh, I realize that. I'm just upset that an organization that's supposedly about research and conservation, won't even bother to do some research, and say "this is crap".

 

[CaveDave]

Oh, I realize that. I'm just upset that an organization that's supposedly about research and conservation, won't even bother to do some research, and say "this is crap".

In their own words: (I SIGHTED this on the SITE that you CITED )

8. TRADITIONAL CHINESE MEDICINE
We will extend our successful engagement of TCM traders and practitioners in Hong Kong to mainland China, supporting their endeavours to make trade sustainable and promoting greater conservation awareness in TCM consumers.

Doesn't sound like they take any exception to TCM, or the use of the critters for therapy.

The whole organization seems to be weak-kneed and antijudgemental in the extreme:

3. MARINE PROTECTED AREAS
We will quantify the effects of different forms of spatial and temporal management on coral reef ecosystems, test these measures for generality using other data sets, and then promote and implement effective management responses.
4. CAPACITY BUILDING
We will develop and introduce technical training programs to help government line agencies support communities and citizen’s organizations engaged in marine conservation and fisheries management initiatives.
5. WOMEN IN FISHERIES
We will evaluate gender roles in the management of small-scale coastal fisheries, particularly in coral reef ecosystems, then help make women equal partners in sound management of small-scale coastal fisheries and resource conservation efforts.
6. ALTERNATE LIVELIHOODS
We will explore the ecological, economic and social sustainability – and the conservation gains – of new livelihoods that fishers might adopt to reduce dependency on marine resources, and then transfer the analysis to our Philippines team.

It appears to me that they are more concerned with not offending anyone than they are in stopping the harvesting of syngnathids on a commercial basis.

11. SEAHORSE POPULATIONS
We will undertake a spatial assessment of global seahorse populations and catalyse monitoring by collaborators around the world, then foster adoption of conservation and management measures to reverse observed declines.
12. REPORT CARD
In collaboration with UBC’s Sea Around Us Project, we will create and issue a report card on each nation’s contributions to marine conservation, thus drawing attention to issues that need remedial action.
13. OUTREACH
We will create and maintain efficient mechanisms to deliver results of Project Seahorse research to agencies, authorities and educational institutions around the world, that they be well-informed collaborators in syngnathids and marine conservation.

Sounds like wafflespeak to me.

Dave

 

[Jas]

It appears to me that they are more concerned with not offending anyone than they are in stopping the harvesting of syngnathids on a commercial basis.

And that's my entire problem with them. I've often wondered why supposed 'conservation' groups, aren't more opposed to TCM, and exposing it for the quackery it is.

 

[CaveDave]

And that's my entire problem with them. I've often wondered why supposed 'conservation' groups, aren't more opposed to TCM, and exposing it for the quackery it is.

Good question.

Maybe they don't want to alienate the folks they need to help them with their conservation work?

Your guess is as good as mine.

Dave

 

[Jas]

Good question.

Maybe they don't want to alienate the folks they need to help them with their conservation work?

Your guess is as good as mine.

Dave

Yeah, that seems to be their argument. I sent them an email, and this was the response:

Thank you for your interest in Project Seahorse. Our organization not trying to ban the harvest of syngnathids but to make sure that their trade is conducted in a sustainable manner. The UN’s World Health Organization officially recognizes Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) as a viable health care option. To see our position paper on the use of syngnathids in TCM please see our web page: http://seahorse.fisheries.ubc.ca/pos-tm.htmlYou are correct when you state that we do not wish to offend practitioners and traders of TCM, who we see as our partners in marine conservation.

Which kind of sucks, because they have volunteer student programs that I was looking into for credit.

 

[luchog]

Being a saltwater aquarium afficianado, I've been quite familiar with Project Seahorse, and similar projects, for quite some time. Their primary focus is to move from wild-caught to aquacultured seahorses and reduce the wild harvest as much as possible; since a lot of their support comes from the pet-trade, both consumers and breeders. It's not to stop the harvesting of seahorses entirely; since that simply isn't going to happen.

They are doing a lot of good. A lot of us in the home-aquarium scene would like to see the use of horses in TCM eliminated; but realistically, that simply isn't going to happen in our lifetimes. The practice is simply too entrenched in Chinese custom. So the next best thing is to mitigate the damage as much as possible. Yes, their comments are a bit weaselly, but they can't afford to alienate their funding sources, or those they're trying to work with.

They have made good strides in eliminating some of the worst practices, such as chemical harvesting. It's a gradualist approach,and they have a lot of entrenched history and custom to fight.

The use of animals like seahorses in TCM is decreasing as the older generation dies off, and younger generations move more toward allopathic medicine. But fighting the practice of TCM is simply not Project Seahorse's raison d'etre.

 

[Jas]

The use of animals like seahorses in TCM is decreasing as the older generation dies off, and younger generations move more toward allopathic medicine. But fighting the practice of TCM is simply not Project Seahorse's raison d'etre.

I realize that they've done a lot of work in promoting CB over WC, but I do feel, as you put it, that their comments are a bit 'weaselly'. I guess they're trying not to alienate people, but I think that they could do a better job of educating people.