Listed under wildlife protection laws. Also listed as Priority Fish Species (Grade B) in a review of China's biodiversity (Ref. 30915), and as a Class II animal on the National List of Protected Animals of PRC since 1989. It prohibits fishing of all seahorses with exemptions on special uses such as research, artifical breeding, pharmaceutical production, etc., and further prohibits domestic commercial trade with exception of trade for medicinal use (Ref. 129070).