Fisherman catches world's largest seahorse off British coast

A fisherman caught the world's largest seahorse in Britain before releasing it back into the English Channel.

The massive 13-inch spiny seahorse was accidentally hauled in by Michael Bailey while he was out fishing for mullet in Poole Harbour, Dorset.

See also: Largest colony of seahorses in Dorset under threat

Experts say the enormous fish is around twice the average size for the species - and smashes the existing record by almost two inches, while sparking fresh hope for the threatened mystical creatures.

The monster seahorse hooked its tail round Mr Bailey's net and clung to it as he and crewmate Malcolm Glover hailed their catch on board.

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When they realised just how big the rare specimen was they immediately called a seahorse expert from their boat who advised them to measure it and take a photo.

They then released the gigantic seahorse unharmed back into the English Channel after first noting the location of the record-breaking find.

Neil Garrick-Maidment, director of the Seahorse Trust, gave them the news that their seahorse was the largest ever caught in the wild anywhere in the world.

Mr Bailey, 47, skipper of the Karen Rose, said: "We fish by shooting a net out from the boat then bring it back in. Any seahorses in the water grab hold of the mesh with their tails.

"We see around 30 seahorses a year but there was something very special about this one. It was enormous in comparison to the ones we get normally and so I phoned Neil from the Seahorse Trust straight away."

Mr Bailey has netted hundreds of seahorses in British waters over the years and previously handed over a pregnant male to The Seahorse Trust.

The Trust lobbied for legal protection for the species for more than six years before a decision was finally taken to protect seahorses in 2008.

Seahorses are a protected species under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species and are on the IUCN red list.

Their numbers in UK waters are said to be dwindling due to the destruction of eelgrass beds, which provide ideal breeding grounds for them.

Studland Bay at the entrance to Poole Harbour is the only place in Britain which is home to both native seahorse species, the spiny and short-snouted varieties.

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