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National Plans of Action

National Plans of Action (NPOAs) provide the essential framework for translating CITES obligations and conservation commitments into practical, context-appropriate management strategies for seahorses. The strategic planning tools outlined in Guidance on conservation planning for syngnathids, with a focus on National Plans of Action enable governments to systematically address the unique conservation challenges facing seahorses within their jurisdictions, ensuring that global trade regulations are supported by effective domestic conservation measures. The guidelines help to bridge the gap between international commitments and local implementation, recognizing both the ecological vulnerabilities of these species and the socio-economic dimensions of their conservation, including the needs of resource users.

The NPOA guidance for syngnathids is highly flexible and can be adapted across multiple scales and contexts. While focused on national-level planning, the principles can be applied to regional coordination efforts among multiple countries sharing seahorse populations, sub-national initiatives at provincial or municipal levels, or ecosystem-specific conservation plans targeting critical habitats like seagrass beds or coral reefs. Plans can address individual species, groups of species, or entire ecosystems that provide essential seahorse habitat, ensuring that conservation strategies are appropriately scaled to the biological and management realities of different situations while maintaining consistency with CITES requirements and international best practices.

Supplemental materials

Step-by-step guidance to create and deploy a NPOA

These are living documents and will be periodically updated. (pending)

• PHASE 1: Preparing for collaborative action

• PHASE 2: Building a joint foundation

• PHASE 3: Deciding which threats and knowledge gaps to tackle

• PHASE 4: Deciding what actions to take

• PHASE 5: Preparing for joint implementation

• PHASE 6: Implementing, learning, sharing, and adapting
  

Other documents

• Overview of country-specific legislation for syngnathids (Stanton et al, 2021)