Ethics, Laws, and Research: The Case of Mediterranean Seahorses (Hippocampus hippocampus and Hippocampus guttulatus)

Abstract

Conservation projects seek to protect species, restore habitats, and mitigate threats such as habitat loss, climate change, and unsustainable resource use. These projects often rely on acquiring ecological data from the wild to support biodiversity management and promote resilience through informed management decisions. Animal use is usually crucial for investigating ecosystem dynamics, species ecology, and management strategies amidst growing human pressures. Field research in natural habitats, along with captive breeding programs, remains fundamental in addressing complex global ecological challenges in this sense. Projects involving live animals provide critical insights into practical management; however, ethical considerations become central, particularly for protected species, necessitating research protocols that prioritize animal welfare while balancing scientific objectives. Nevertheless, animal research presents ethical, legal, and practical challenges, and traditional laboratory systems “might not fit all” species. This paper explores conservation research projects on marine fish from legislative and practical perspectives by looking at current norms, animal welfare aspects, and conservation outcomes. The two iconic Mediterranean species, Hippocampus hippocampus and Hippocampus guttulatus, are analyzed as model examples to produce best practice indications and provide researchers with a practical path to outline scientific project design in marine conservation studies.