What's Killing The Sea stars...

Sea Star Wasting Disease

Sea stars aka star fish are dying along the North American Pacific due to a wasting disease. The epidemic is worse than any other that has occurred in their species. In 2013 the disease swept across the coast but no one really seemed to notice. Symptoms include lesions and decay around the limbs. These symptoms are typical of "unhealthy" sea stars that are stranded in intertidal zones that are too high. When wasting disease is actually present, the sea star will be present in a suitable habitat, often where other infected individuals are. It is believed that the disease may be caused by a bacterium but some areas have shown to be affected by a virus. The wrath of the disease appears to be intensifying in affected regions.