iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Sarah Foster @sarahjfoster.bsky.social · 16/07/2026

Spoke this morning at CITES AC34 for the IUCN Seahorse, Pipefish & Seadragon Specialist Group (@iucnseahorse.bsky.social). Message: we stand ready to help governments implement the seahorse Decisions from CoP20 – and we've built 3 guidance resources to help. 🧵

121

Sarah Foster @sarahjfoster.bsky.social · 08/07/2026

I'll be representing seahorses at next week's 34th meeting of CITES Animals Committee in Geneva, Switzerland. This work unfolds in conference rooms, not oceans, but done well, it reduces the pressures seahorses face in the wild.

2182

Reposted by Sarah Foster

Daniel Shailer @danielshailer.bsky.social · 16/06/2026

“Our biggest challenge in ocean conservation writ large is getting people to recognize fish as wildlife, the way they care about elephant ivory or rhino horn,” says @sarahjfoster.bsky.social "I am pleased to see papers like this try and shift that, and come up with solutions.”

131

Sarah Foster @sarahjfoster.bsky.social · 26/06/2026

I am incredibly proud of what our small and nimble team @projectseahorse.bsky.social achieved for seahorses and their oceans in 2025. Please have a read and reach out of anything in here interests you! We need all the buddies we can get if we are going to reduce pressures where seahorses live.

020

Sarah Foster @sarahjfoster.bsky.social · 12/06/2026

From seahorses to sharks, more than 3,000 fish species have been recorded in bottom trawl catches, and our researchers estimate the true number could be nearly double.

053

Sarah Foster @sarahjfoster.bsky.social · 08/06/2026

On this #WorldOceansDay, The New York Times uses our research on the diversity of fishes caught in the worlds bottom trawls to argue why it is time to rethink this widespread and problematic fishing practice. @ubcoceans.bsky.social @projectseahorse.bsky.social @amandavincent.bsky.social

nytimes.com

Opinion | 3,000 Different Species Are Killed for Supper. Why Do We Allow It?

13012

Reposted by Sarah Foster

Iconic Fishes @iconicfishes.bsky.social · 29/05/2026

We are excited to share artwork from our #IconicFishes community in the Philippines! With their long snouts, gripping tails, and upright swimming posture, seahorses are truly unique. Artist Karyl Dagoc brings this magical fish into the spotlight, making it one of 18 artworks displayed at our event.

011

Sarah Foster @sarahjfoster.bsky.social · 14/05/2026

In this piece for The Conversation, we present the findings and consequences of research that set out to answer what should be basic questions in fisheries: how many fish species are being caught in bottom trawl nets, and what are they? @amandavincent.bsky.social theconversation.com/bottom-trawl...

theconversation.com

Bottom trawling is scraping oceans of wildlife

Bottom trawling operates by dragging large, weighted nets across the ocean floor, sweeping up most of the life they encounter along the way and destroying habitats.

042

Reposted by Sarah Foster

Project Seahorse @projectseahorse.bsky.social · 22/04/2026

🤔 Do you know how many marine fish species bottom trawls catch? Our new paper recorded nearly 3,000 species “Our estimates suggest the true number could be double that,” @sarahjfoster.bsky.social said. Great to see this covered by @mongabay.com Check it out here: news.mongabay.com/short-articl...

news.mongabay.com

Study finds bottom trawling nets 3,000 marine fish species, including threatened ones

How many marine fish species do bottom trawls catch? Researchers now have a list, and it’s long, running to some 3,000 species, according to a recent study. Bottom trawling is a commercially popular, ...

14824

Reposted by Sarah Foster

Project Seahorse @projectseahorse.bsky.social · 14/04/2026

🌊 New paper alert 🌊 Our latest study takes a deep dive into the relatives of seahorses, a group of fascinating but often understudied fishes. projectseahorse.org/new-study-qu...

1114

Sarah Foster @sarahjfoster.bsky.social · 14/04/2026

When we talk about fisheries, it’s our last wild food source that we consume on the regular. And this is not farming. It is going out into the wilderness and bulldozing wildlife. vancouversun.com/news/bottom-... @projectseahorse.bsky.social

vancouversun.com

Bottom sea trawlers snaring many endangered species: UBC study

Researchers say bottom trawling is taking a serious toll on marine ecosystems and recommend the world rethink this practice.

02916

Sarah Foster @sarahjfoster.bsky.social · 08/04/2026

Our latest research underscores the need for fisheries and managers to fully account for the extensive pressures that bottom trawls impose on marine fishes.

031

Reposted by Sarah Foster

Project Seahorse @projectseahorse.bsky.social · 08/04/2026

From seahorses to sharks, 3,000+ fish species have been caught in bottom trawls, including those most at risk. Our new global inventory shows that what’s recorded is only a glimpse of the true toll of bottom trawling. projectseahorse.org/bottom-trawling…

31910

Sarah Foster @sarahjfoster.bsky.social · 02/04/2026

So proud to have helped create the #iSeahorse platform that has expanded our knowledge of seahorses around the globe. The incredible images of these magical fishes keep me inspired everyday - check them out! I just wish I got to spend more time underwater contributing sightings of my own!!

021

Sarah Foster @sarahjfoster.bsky.social · 16/03/2026

The biggest hurdle is moving from policy outcomes to field outcomes—where protocols and promises become real frontline action. If we want meaningful progress, we need to break that barrier. More data alone won’t do it. More: www.linkedin.com/posts/sarah-...

linkedin.com

#worldoceansummit #advancingmarineconservation #projectseahorse | Sarah Foster

Last week I was in Montreal for the The Economist’s 13th annual World Ocean Summit. The theme was moving from commitments to action for ocean health - but I was surprised by how often action was confl...

000

Sarah Foster @sarahjfoster.bsky.social · 16/03/2026

Colleagues and I developed a framework to analyse policy implementation across four levels: 1. Technical outputs (research/data) 2. Policy outcomes (governance changes) 3. Field outcomes (on-the-ground action) 4. Impacts (biological/environmental results)

010

Sarah Foster @sarahjfoster.bsky.social · 16/03/2026

At the World Ocean Summit in Montreal, the focus was moving from commitments to action for ocean health. But I was struck by how often “action” was framed as collecting more data. Data matters—but it’s rarely the main barrier. 🧵

011

Sarah Foster @sarahjfoster.bsky.social · 13/02/2026

Having been part of the team that brought iSeahorse into being, I can't be more proud of all it has achieved, or more thankful to the hundreds of people that have contributed observations over the years. Saving seahorse together indeed!

000

Sarah Foster @sarahjfoster.bsky.social · 13/02/2026

A few days later, but representation in science should be celebrated every day! My answer to why it matters: Women in STEM are changemakers who think broadly, collaborate with pragmatism, and make science stronger and more inclusive.

020

Reposted by Sarah Foster

IUCN SSC Seahorse, Pipefish and Seadragon Specialist Group @iucnseahorse.bsky.social · 04/12/2025

At the side event we hosted at #CITESCop20, several 🇧🇷 🇮🇩🇵🇭🇹🇭 parties shared inspiring progress that has emerged directly from the #CITES Appendix II listing of #seahorses. Grateful for all who joined, & to @sarahjfoster.bsky.social for leading this insightful session. 💙 📸 Tang Yong Jen

093

Reposted by Sarah Foster

Iconic Fishes @iconicfishes.bsky.social · 19/11/2025

Showcasing "Ratapan Lautan" in our Inspired by Iconic Fishes movement - a striking woodcut by Pangrok Sulap and the Kampung Tajau Laut fishing community in Malaysia. Explore the artist statement and watch the 4-min making-of documentary 🎥👉 www.iconicfishes.art/updates/pres... #IconicFishes #Art

iconicfishes.art

Presenting Ratapan Lautan (Lament of the ocean) by Pangrok Sulap — Inspired by Iconic Fishes

As we seek new ways to highlight our iconic fishes, we are delighted to showcase Ratapan Lautan ( Lament of the Ocean ) , a striking woodcut by Pangrok Sulap . Pangrok Sulap is a Malaysian collec...

042

Reposted by Sarah Foster

IUCN SSC Seahorse, Pipefish and Seadragon Specialist Group @iucnseahorse.bsky.social · 20/11/2025

Will you be at #CITESCop20? So will Dr. Sarah Foster @sarahjfoster.bsky.social, our Focal Point for Global Fisheries and Trade. If you spot her, please say hello, & be sure to join our side event "Global Action for Seahorses" on 29 Nov! 👉 www.iucn-seahorse.org/cites #CoP20Samarkand #Uzbekistan

063

Reposted by Sarah Foster

Project Seahorse @projectseahorse.bsky.social · 20/11/2025

Will you be at #CITESCop20? So will Dr. Sarah Foster @sarahjfoster.bsky.social, our Program Leader & the Focal Point for Global Fisheries & Trade for @iucnseahorse.bsky.social. Learn about the seahorse decisions up for discussion & why they matter 👉 www.iucn-seahorse.org/cites #CoP20Samarkand

133

Reposted by Sarah Foster

Iconic Fishes @iconicfishes.bsky.social · 10/10/2025

A glimpse of “Lament of the Ocean” inspired by #IconicFishes, created by #artists at Pangrok Sulap & a fishing community in Malaysia. 👀How many of our iconic fishes can you spot in this woodcut print? ✨Stay tuned for the full reveal. 🎨 Feeling inspired to create? Start here 👉 www.iconicfishes.art

052

Sarah Foster @sarahjfoster.bsky.social · 14/11/2025

when you really need a "dislike" button....

011

Sarah Foster @sarahjfoster.bsky.social · 14/11/2025

One of the issues being addressed for seahorses at the 20th CITES CoP in Uzbekistan is seahorse illegal trade. Learn more about the scale of the issues in this news article covering our paper on seahorse smuggling vancouversun.com/news/smuggli...

vancouversun.com

'This should raise flags': Smuggling seahorses a $29 million global industry, say UBC researchers

A UBC study found that nearly five million dried seahorses, used in traditional Chinese medicine, were seized at airports or in sea cargo.

021

Sarah Foster @sarahjfoster.bsky.social · 05/11/2025

Excited to represent @iucnseahorse.bsky.social at the 20th CITES CoP in Samarkand, Uzbekistan (24 Nov–5 Dec 2025). Learn about the seahorse decisions up for discussion and why they matter: www.iucn-seahorse.org/cites

iucn-seahorse.org

CITES action — IUCN Seahorse, Pipefish & Seadragon

0133

Sarah Foster @sarahjfoster.bsky.social · 14/10/2025

So many seahorses around Puerto Vallarta, Mexico - a place dear to my heart after spending a year near there living on board #bottomtrawlers for my PhD research. Perhaps our #iconicfishes can inspire a transition toward more sustainable fishing methods in the Gulf of California.

0236

Sarah Foster @sarahjfoster.bsky.social · 08/10/2025

Proud to be part of an amazing group of dedicated conservationists, working to save seahorses and their seas. See what we got up to in 2024...

022

Sarah Foster @sarahjfoster.bsky.social · 07/10/2025

I'm definitely biased, but this is my favourite of the #iconicfishes

010

Sarah Foster @sarahjfoster.bsky.social · 07/10/2025

Excited that my first Blue Sky post is to share our new initiative which calls on artists of all kinds, in all places, to inspire love for our #iconicfishes. Looking forward to digging up some old seahorses in art photos to share with you soon.

020