Mitch and Jill, from the Sydney Seahorse Project, transfer seahorses to their new homes. Picture supplied

Two projects that were undertaken in conjunction with the construction of the Kurnell and La Perouse ferry wharves are restoring and fostering sealife.

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Transport for NSW said, as part of its Marine Biodiversity Offsets Strategy (MBOS), restoration and monitoring of endangered Posidonia seagrass in Kamay (Botany Bay) was continuing.

"We're now just over two years into our ten-year monitoring program, and the latest results are very encouraging," a statement said.

Endangered Whites Seahorse observed in a seagrass restoration area during monitoring fieldwork. Source: UNSW

"Monitoring completed in Round 7 shows that seagrass restoration is tracking well, with 423 metres of Posidonia successfully restored. This represents 79 per cent of our long-term restoration target of 536 metres.

"Ongoing monitoring is helping us understand how the seagrass is establishing and growing over time, and ensures restoration efforts are on track for long-term success."

Seahorses in a plastic bag on their way to Botany Bay. Picture supplied

As part of the strategy, 60 seahorse hotels, which are artificial habitat for endangered White's Seahorse, were installed in July 2025 at Kurnell and La Perouse.

"Since then, the purpose-built metal structures have been closely monitored and are showing successful growth of marine algae and other species to help create food and shelter to provide habitat for seahorses," the statement said.

Underwater view of the Whites Seahorse release onto hotels, with a pair spotted settling in nicely. Source: Woody Spark

"In late March 2026, we joined SIMS, the University of Technology, Sydney, DPIRD Fisheries and the Gamay Rangers as part of their Sydney Seahorse Project to release 200 captive-bred juvenile White's Seahorses onto some of our seahorse hotels and nearby seagrass in Kamay.

"The seahorses have been tagged and will be monitored by SIMS to see how they settle in to their new home and move around the area.

"White's Seahorses are known to stay close to home, making this a great opportunity to learn how artificial habitat can support their recovery in the wild.

"Transport will continue monitoring the seahorse hotels as part of our five-year program, tracking how the structures change over time, how they're used by both wild and released Seahorses, and what other marine species move in."