VOLUNTEERS got together to remove thousands of notorious sea-stars from Seaford last weekend in an effort to protect Port Phillip Bay.
Northern Pacific sea-stars are considered pests by Agriculture Victoria. The sea-stars, which have a large presence in Port Phillip Bay, are an aggressive predator of mussels, oysters, and scallops. They multiply quickly and “harm biodiversity, aquaculture and fisheries”, the Agriculture Victoria website states.
On 20 April, 48 volunteers with Earthcare St Kilda took part in a removal event at Seaford Pier. They removed around 45,000 Northern Pacific sea-stars, Earthcare says. Earthcare St Kilda marine conservation team leader Richard Pensak said the event would help preserve the marine life of Port Phillip Bay. “By removing Northern Pacific sea-stars from Seaford this weekend, Earthcare St Kilda has helped prevent the loss of our local, native, marine animals,” he said. “We know there are still many more out there, but we are chipping away at the problem. And that’s why we do monthly removals – when we find large aggregations that’s where we go, to have the greatest positive impact for the health of the bay.”
Earthcare St Kilda is a not-for-profit organisation. For more information visit earthcarestkilda.org.au
First published in the Frankston Times – 23rd April 2024
