Indigenous fisherwoman finds ‘lost’ spinach pipefish, not seen by science in 40 years

A researcher-led expedition along Papua New Guinea's Sepik River set out to determine whether the spinach pipefish, unseen by scientists since 1985, still existed. On the final day, fisherwoman Helen Asu brought researchers two small fish she had caught with a traditional hand net while fishing for prawns near Imbando village.

The fish were confirmed as spinach pipefish, a freshwater relative of seahorses that had been on a list of the ten most sought-after 'lost' fish species. The original specimen used to describe the species was destroyed in a museum fire during World War II, leaving much of its biology unknown even now.

The expedition, led by researcher Jerrica Agebigo, combined local scientists with community members who showed residents photographs and asked whether they recognized the fish. Asu's answer ended the four-decade gap in confirmed records.

The full dispatch is available from the source below.