SEAHORSE FARM: Port Lincoln, Eyre Peninsula on South Australia’s West Coast
The beauty and mystery of the State's Marine emblem, the Leafy Sea Dragon, attracts committed divers like American photographer Phil Hookham... who came half way across the world to the stunning north coast of Kangaroo Island.
“These are a very special kind of seahorse and they're only found in this area of the world.. so you can't see them just anywhere”.
We caught up with Phil last year as he and the crew of Jim Thistleton's Wind Cheetah.... anchored along the island's majestic cliffs. Here, at a place called "The Arches"... the New Zealand Fur Seals and Australian Sea Lions appear to have this serene hideaway all to themselves.
But it's not until you get into the water.. that you realise the beauties that await below.... like the Leafy Sea Dragon... an extremely territorial creature.. which along with its cousin.. the Weedy Sea Dragon... hugs the waters along some of the more remote and difficult parts of our coastline.
Now... thanks to Tracy Warland.... you don't need a diver's certificate to marvel at these surreal creatures.
She established her Sea Horse Farm in 1998. Two years ago she started swimming with the tourism tide.. and opened her Port Lincoln facility for public tours.
“These are weedy sea dragons and these are basically cousins of the sea horse There are two different species of sea dragons.. only found in Australia.. the only place in the world you'll find them.. and predominantly southern Australia”.
These guys are a close relative of the Leafy Sea Dragon.. which Tracy plans to breed in the near future... and like the Leafy.. they rely on camouflage... and minimal movement.. as they blend in with their surroundings.
As you wander though the Sea Horse Farm... you soon realise this place is teeming with life. All sea horses belong to the genus known as Hippo Campus.... Hippo from the ancient Greek meaning horse... and campos.. meaning sea monster.
“Greek poets used to write tales of these half horse, half sea monster creatures that rode around.. that king neptune etc rode around on the seven seas. I often describe them because they are mythical.. as having a head like a horse.. a tale like a monkey..a kangaroo style pouch for keeping the babies in.. because it's the male that has the babies.. they're made up of a suit of boney body armour.. and then covered in a bit of a leathery type skin. but of course they are a fish”.
“Yes, about as bizarre as the platypus in terms of its makeup?”
“Absolutely.. and also their ability to change their colouration according to their rope”.
“So that's a seahorse that would have attached itself to one of these yellow ropes?”
“That's right yes”.
These are six months old.. and are sold to the aquarium market for between thirty and fifty five dollars.
Sadly up to twenty million are taken from the oceans each year.. for alternative medicines.. particularly in Asia.. where they're also used as an aphrodisiac.
“So this is your Asian viagra”?
“Basically yes”.
“So they believe....”
“I don't know.. we've not tested it.. and my husband's not allowed to anyway”.
From small beginnings... they may grow into one of these pot bellied sea horses.. a thirty centimetre eating machine.
“All sea horses in the ocean will eat any krill crustacea or shrimp that will fit through that snout of theirs”.
Not only are they a strange looking creature... but their reproductive pattern would have most of us wondering if we're Arthur or Martha.
“The male gets pregnant.. goes into labour and gives birth to live young”.
But the female has provided the eggs which are passed onto the male”?
“That's right”.
Some species can give birth to up sixteen hundred young... all of which means Tracy's not likely to run out of stock at the Sea Horse Farm. The Farm is located at 5 Mallee Crescent. Port Lincoln, South Australia. For tours contact 1800 629 911 Entry, Adults $6 Concession $5.50 Children $5 If you have any further questions please email info@postcards.sa.com.au
