Martin Steinpress was out on the rocks at low tide at Cooks Beach. He wrote, “I saw a few medium-size Sea Stars, including two orange ones next to a bunch of Purple Sea Urchins. I found a whole ecosystem of inhabitants beneath and between some Mussels, including these small, one-inch-diameter Sea Stars. It’s nice to see them returning to our coast in a big way.”

Sea Stars, formerly called Starfish, were devastated by a wasting disease. It’s believed to be a virus, and warmer waters might be a factor too. We have an over-abundance of Sea Urchins, causing an imbalance in the Pacific Ocean’s ecology. Sea Urchins have been eating much of the kelp, which leaves not enough kelp in some areas for the Abalones.

Sea Stars eat Sea Urchins, so we are rooting for their continued good health!

Thanks to Martin for allowing me to share his photos with you here.