Starfish in the Intertidal zone near Bamfield, B.C. (Photo by Danielle Marcoux)
Imagine yourself diving off the coast of British Columbia and you come across a large rock wall that is packed with starfish. You swim up to the wall and approach them to look closer but instead of seeing a plethora of plump, healthy starfish of oranges, purples or reds, you see mushy disintegrating starfish with missing arms all over the place.
Starfish exhibiting Sea Star Wasting Syndrome (Source: themarinedetective.com; Jackie Hildering)
Since June 2013, sightings of dead and dying starfish, also known as sea stars, have been reported stretching almost all of the Pacific West Coast. Scientists have dubbed it the “Sea Star Wasting Syndrome”.
As key predators in the intertidal region of the ocean, disappearing sea stars can have catastrophic effects for the ecosystem.
Note the arms moving by themselves!
Scientists along with the press are reaching out for help from the public and local divers. They are asking if anyone sees this syndrome in their region to report it immediately to either the Vancouver Aquarium or the University of California Santa Cruz. If researchers can understand more about where the wasting syndrome is occurring, the cause of this disease can be found faster. They hope to stop this phenomenon from spreading further and devastating more areas on the West Coast.
Global interviewed UBC’s own Dr. Chris Harley
Biologists are working diligently on each case to find the cause of this starfish epidemic. They have their speculations based on previous cases, but they note that they have never seen anything as severe as this one. Two prior cases in 1983 and 1997 were said to be associated with warming of the ocean. However, some researchers are claiming that this time it may be different.
Fukushima reactor No.4 (Source: flickr: Simply Info)
Researchers have made it clear to the public that no cause has been found as of yet. Nonetheless, the Fukushima nuclear plant meltdown has made headlines for being a potential cause of Sea Star Wasting Syndrome. It is hot news for reporters to cover a story with this much controversy. Christopher Mah, one of the world’s leading experts in starfish, has reassured that it is very unlikely. However, marine biologists are considering all possibilities, including increased radiation.
Other probable causes for Sea Star Wasting Syndrome that biologists are researching are lower oxygen in the ocean, ocean warming, and the possible risk of bacterial or viral infections.
On a brighter note, I had the pleasure of diving in the Sechelt Inlet in November (2013) and saw no signs of Sea Star Wasting Syndrome. The starfish were in perfect health and looked as if the population was flourishing in this area! Lets hope that the next time I go back, they are still around.
Written by Danielle Marcoux
A biologists best friend (Photo by Cathy Clegg)
Other Sources:
- http://www.nature.com/news/scientists-search-for-clues-in-sea-star-die-off-1.14370
- http://deepseanews.com/2013/12/three-reasons-why-fukushima-radiation-has-nothing-to-do-with-starfish-wasting-syndrome/
- http://echinoblog.blogspot.ca/2013/10/why-we-should-be-concerned-about-mass.html
- http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2013/12/28/starfish-dying-wasting-disease-mystery/4208859/
