Tuesday, November 14, 7 p.m., Emmanuel Parish Hall
— from The SeaDoc Society & YMCA Camp Orkila —
Wasted spiny pink star Pisaster brevispinus with SSWD Neah Bay Oct 1, 2016 J. Gaydos
Since 2013 a devastating outbreak of sea star wasting disease has killed millions of sea stars from Mexico to Alaska. The ongoing epidemic is so huge that many consider it to be the largest disease outbreak ever documented in marine wildlife. Infected animals develop lesions that eat away tissue, with limbs dropping off as the animals die.
The disease has been linked to a specific virus called sea star-associated Densovirus, although environmental factors may also be involved. For example, studies have shown that elevated temperatures make the disease worse.
On Tuesday November 14 Dr. Joe Gaydos, SeaDoc Science Director will discuss the outbreak and what scientists have learned about its effect on multiple different sea star species. For example, an analysis of data collected by scientists and by recreational scuba divers in the Salish Sea showed severe impacts on some species, such as the sunflower sea star, Pycnopodia helianthoides, while populations of other species have actually increased.
The 2017-2018 Marine Science Lecture Series is designed to inspire the general public and to highlight the amazing fish and wildlife of our region. Lectures are free.
The Lecture Series is presented by program partners The SeaDoc Society and YMCA Camp Orkila. It has been made possible through generous sponsorship by The Averna Family (Deer Harbor Charters), Barbara Bentley, Barbara Brown, Emmanuel Episcopal, Audrey and Dean Stupke, Orcas Island Community Foundation and West Sound Marina. For more information visit www.seadocsociety.org.
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I wonder why it is that the Scientists don’t use logic to Reason that the problem is due to Fukushima’s Nuclear explosion that is causing Radioactive River, not a “leak” into the Pacific. It is unstoppable because all of the Robots they send down to check it, MELT.
The Sea Stars are effected by this so their immune systems are compromised hence “Wssting Disease. If it was admitted, maybe populations would move away from the coasts and not eat fish. Economics rules.