— from Russel Barsh —
The latest seastar survey by the Indian Island Marine Health Observatory (August 10) found that incidence of Wasting Syndrome had declined by about half since mid-July to 19 percent. In other words, a little more than four-fifths of the Ochre Stars at Indian Island appear to be healthy, and this includes many smaller, younger seastars. Total seastars visible in the inter-tidal zone has decreased. Together with other animals, many seastars have retreated to deeper, cooler water, and those that remain around Indian Island are mostly hidden in crevices or under boulders, out of direct sunlight.
The next seastar census will be taken in November when there are low evening tides.
Interested members of the community may want to mark their calendars for Friday, September 5, 3:30 pm to 5:30 pm at Orcas Island Library, for back-to-back research reports on Seastar Wasting at Indian Island (Russel Barsh) and the Crescent Beach Sand Dollar study (Amy Henry): an Echinoderm Double Header!
**If you are reading theOrcasonian for free, thank your fellow islanders. If you would like to support theOrcasonian CLICK HERE to set your modestly-priced, voluntary subscription. Otherwise, no worries; we’re happy to share with you.**
