"...it is possible the pathogen killing them
is nature's way of controlling the population."
A common starfish at the mouth
of Hammersley Inlet missing 2 arms.
(credit Protect Our Shoreline)
The source of what has been described as the largest die off of starfish in the northwest and along the west coast is still unknown. CBC news from Canada has suggested it may be a pathogen but as of yet it is not yet been proven to be a bacteria, virus or protozoa. Arms pulling themselves off of the starfish, sometimes leaving a living starfish, and other times not, or a slow wasting away of the starfish are symptoms. [for arm separation, see this video at 3:40]
A Sun Starfish, also at the mouth
of Hammersley Inlet, showing lesions
which precede the leg separation.
(credit Protect Our Shoreline)
Whatever the cause, it is widespread and seemingly focused in waters of Puget Sound and British Columbia. You can help track sick star fish through the SickStarfish website.
Cluster of healthy starfish
in South Puget Sound.
(credit Protect Our Shoreline)
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