During its international Seamaster event in Miami, the Swiss watchmaker OMEGA announced its partnership with the Seamaster Seahorse Rescue Center. Based in Marina di Ravenna, the initiative plays a pivotal role in the conservation of endangered seahorse species found in the Adriatic Sea. The project is supported by the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW), a global wildlife conservation organisation which has long championed community-based rescue and rehabilitation efforts on land and sea. From whales to dolphins and now seahorses, these interventions not only aid individual animals but also generate critical data that helps shape global conservation strategies.
OMEGA’s enduring connection to the ocean goes back to 1932, when it created its first diving watch, The Marine. Since then, the brand has committed itself to the exploration of the seas and to meaningful and sustainable ocean conservation alongside dedicated partners. Furthermore, the Seahorse has been an iconic symbol of OMEGA’s Seamaster collection since the 1950s, when it was chosen to convey the refinement and ocean heritage of the watches. The seahorse emblem has appeared engraved on timepiece casebacks as far back as 1957.
Raynald Aeschlimann, President and CEO of OMEGA, says, “This project feels deeply personal to OMEGA. With our passion for the ocean and historic association with the seahorse, we were immediately drawn to this worthwhile work. It’s wonderful to see the rehabilitation that’s already being done, and to know that the global cooperation of brands like OMEGA can help the initiative to grow.”
Azzedine Downes President and CEO of IFAW, says, “Seahorses may be small, but their role in the balance and biodiversity of our oceans is immense. Supporting this project reflects our wider mission to protect marine species and habitats—from coastal rescue to international policy. The threats facing seahorses demand urgent, collaborative action, and this effort shows what’s possible when global partners invest in local solutions.”
Seahorses play a crucial role in maintaining marine biodiversity and ensuring the health and productivity of ocean ecosystems. The Seamaster Seahorse Rescue Center is dedicated to the specialized care, breeding, and rehabilitation of injured or by-catch seahorses, with the ultimate mission of returning them to protected marine environments.
With OMEGA and IFAW’s support, the Center successfully rescued and rehabilitated 1,200 seahorses in 2024. It has now been able to expand its operations, including renovating a concession area to create a fully equipped, year-round rescue facility. As part of this upgrade, new tanks have been installed to further improve the Center’s capacity for seahorse care and recovery. According to experts at IFAW, the Center will now be able to rescue around 2,000 seahorses annually.
The rescued seahorses undergo specific treatments and therapies before being tagged and released into protected areas of the sea. The aim is to strengthen seahorse conservation efforts, while also contributing valuable new data to address the information gaps highlighted by the IUCN Red List.
Image courtesy of OMEGA
