School students have released more than a hundred baby seahorses, and 'hotels' to house them, off Little Beach near Nelson Bay.
It's part of the state government's program to support the recovery of the endangered White Seahorse, which has now seen a thousand captivity-bred babies released in Port Stephens.
On Friday, 132 babies were released, while 15 'seahorse hotels' were deployed to protect them.
The hotels start as artificial habitats, and rapidly become covered in algae, sponges and corals, that over time, cause the artificial structure to collapse, creating a new natural habitat that is perfect for seahorses.
There are now 60 seahorse hotels in Port Stephens, which have been at the Pipeline and Little Beach dive sites by the NSW Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development.
Despite the name, White Seahorses range from pale white to dark brown or black, and some are entirely yellow.
Loss of natural habitats is the main cause of decline in White's Seahorse numbers, as the coastal estuaries and embayments they live in are subject to human population pressure and extreme weather events.
The flood events of 2021 and 2022 had a major impact on White's Seahorse habitats, with shallow water seagrass, sponges and soft corals all experiencing massive declines.
Port Stephens MP Kate Washington joined 400 primary school students from 15 schools across the Hunter to release the baby seahorses.
"It's very special to be releasing baby seahorses to make their home in seahorse hotels in Port Stephens," Ms Washington said.
"I'm delighted to see local students getting first-hand experience in marine conservation, by building and installing seahorse hotels."
NSW Agriculture Minister Tara Moriarty the White Seahorse was Australia's only threatened seahorse species and the second endangered seahorse worldwide.
"We hope these stocking events will help the White's Seahorse re-establish a home here at Port Stephens and will ensure the recovery of this iconic and beloved Australian species," Ms Moriarty said.
"While White's seahorses in Port Stephens have significantly declined over the past decade, the implementation of the government's new captive-breeding program and installation of seahorse hotels are positive steps towards their recovery.
"I wish to thank the Albanese government for their funding support for this program."
