Guylian sponsors Project Seahorse
The chocolate world and the underwater world have always flowed together for Guylian. When Guylian was founded, the maker of the world renowned Belgian Chocolates distinguished itself by creating chocolates in the shape of seashells. As a way of giving something back to our consumers and the environment, Guylian has been the major sustaining sponsor of Project Seahorse since 1999.
Every time you buy a box of Guylian Belgian Chocolates, you are supporting Project Seahorse!
Project Seahorse, advancing marine conservation
Marine life is globally threatened by human activities. Project Seahorse is dedicated to conserving seahorses and other marine life across the world. Project Seahorse was established in 1996 in response to the growing danger to seahorses from overfishing, incidental catch in non-selective fishing gear and the destruction of coastal marine habitats. More than 25 million seahorses - both dead and alive - are traded globally each year. The vast majority are used in traditional medicines, but the aquarium and souvenir trades also put heavy pressure on the species. Seahorses function as a flagship symbol for a wide range of marine conservation concerns. Ensuring that coastal ecosystems are healthy for these magical creatures benefits the many other species. Saving the seahorses means saving the seas!
Project Seahorse envisions a world in which marine ecosystems are healthy and well-managed. It is an interdisciplinary and international organisation committed to conservation and sustainable use of the world’s coastal marine ecosystems. The alliance engages in connected research and management at scales ranging from community initiatives to international accords. Collaborating with stakeholders and partners, the team uses seahorses to focus efforts in finding marine conservation solutions. It is based at the Fisheries Centre, University of British Columbia (Canada) but has team members and collaborators working around the world.
Project Seahorse achievements to date
Guylian's funding has enabled Project Seahorse to
analyse the conservation status of all seahorse species, in order to provoke conservation action.
generate an agreement among 172 countries (under CITES) to limit the export of seahorses to sustainable levels.
establish and support 30 no-fishing zones in the Philippines, all managed by subsistence fishing communities.
develop exhibits in public aquariums that reach tens of millions of people.
support creation of an alliance of small-scale fishers in the Philippines that has empowered 1000 fishing families to manage their marine resources for sustainability.
prompt a collective of traders, academia, government and conservation organisations to adjust consumption of marine species in traditional Chinese medicine to durable levels.
increase the team’s professional capacity for seahorse research.
provide support for field studies as well as analysis and interpretation of biological data, resulting in a large suite of scientific papers.
administer its programmes professionally and with maximum effectiveness worldwide, thanks to institutional and organisational support.
Every time you buy a box of Guylian Sea Shells you are supporting Project Seahorse
Project Seahorse and Guylian agree on the importance of seahorses as a sign of quality – whether it's for healthy coastal seas or fine Belgian Chocolates. Every time you buy a box of Guylian Belgian Chocolate Sea Shells, you are supporting Project Seahorse.
Guylian donates an annual fee to Project Seahorse, donating over CAD$ 1.2 Million since 1999. Besides this financial contribution, we help raise awareness around the world by targeted outreach activities, such as seahorse photo competitions & exhibitions, school education programmes, sampling, & promotion activities. We also include clear conservation messages on the Guylian chocolate boxes, selling more than 25 million each year!