• Journal of Fisheries and Marine Sciences Education
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• v.28 no.4
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• pp.1159-1170
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• 2016

This study examines the distribution and taxonomy of sea horses in South Korea, specifically sea horses that were caught in the Southern Sea, centering on Yeosu, South Korea. Specimen collection methods The samples were collected by set net, skimming nets, dragnets, and landing nets on a boat, as well as scuba diving. A total of 128 sea horses belonging to three species were collected. To investigate the exact distribution pattern, the catch per unit effort and the population density per $1,000m^2$ were calculated for each site in the Southern Sea. The result shows the highest catch by set nets was 29 sea horses a day in Site B at Dolsan-eup, Port Impo, and the highest catch by scuba diving was 8 sea horses a day in Site B at Gijang-gun, Busan. The highest population density was 61.2 sea horses in the coast of Gijang-gun, Busan. Genetic information analysis and morphological analysis were performed for determination of species. As a result, four Hippocampus trimaculatus, (flat-faced sea horses), 45 Hippocampus coronatus (Crowned sea horses), and 79 Hippocampus mohnikei (Japanese sea horses) were distinguished.