When walking along a beach, encountering a starfish washed ashore can trigger a natural impulse to help. These captivating creatures often inspire a desire to return them to their ocean home. Understanding their delicate nature and specific needs is important for anyone wishing to assist them appropriately. This knowledge helps ensure that well-intentioned actions do not inadvertently cause harm.
Why Starfish Are Vulnerable on Land
Starfish possess a specialized water vascular system that makes them particularly susceptible to air exposure. This hydraulic system uses seawater to power their thousands of tube feet, essential for movement, feeding, and gas exchange. When a starfish is out of water, this system cannot function, rendering their tube feet ineffective for locomotion or attachment.
Starfish primarily exchange gases directly through their body surface and specialized structures called dermal branchiae or papulae. These structures require constant contact with water for oxygen absorption. Exposure to air causes these delicate tissues to dry out rapidly, preventing respiration and leading to suffocation. Even brief periods out of water can cause significant physiological stress and irreversible damage, as their internal organs are not designed to withstand air exposure.
Risks of Improper Reintroduction
The impulse to return a stranded starfish to the ocean is understandable, but the method of reintroduction significantly impacts its chances of survival. Forcefully tossing a starfish back into the water can cause severe injuries. The sudden impact of hitting the water can lead to blunt force trauma, damaging internal organs or dislodging their tube feet.
Such a forceful re-entry also induces severe stress and shock to the starfish’s system. Even if it lands in water, the shock can prevent it from righting itself or moving effectively to a safe location. A disoriented starfish may become an easy target for predators or succumb to the stress. Therefore, a gentle and deliberate approach is always preferable to a quick, forceful throw.
Responsible Starfish Encounters
When encountering a starfish out of water, exercising caution and gentleness is paramount. If a starfish appears to be alive and has been out of water for only a short period, it may be possible to carefully return it. The proper method involves gently picking it up, minimizing air exposure by keeping it moist if possible, and then carefully placing it back into a calm, sheltered area of the ocean.
Place the starfish gently onto a submerged rock or sandy bottom, allowing it to reorient itself naturally. Observing starfish in their natural habitat, such as tide pools, should be done from a distance without disturbing them or removing them from the water. Never attempt to take a starfish home, as they cannot survive outside their marine environment, nor should you try to “rescue” those that are clearly non-viable.
Protecting Marine Life
Beyond individual starfish encounters, a broader commitment to marine conservation helps protect these and other ocean inhabitants. Responsible beachgoing involves leaving all marine life undisturbed in their natural habitats, whether on the shore or in the water. The best way to support starfish and the diverse ecosystems they inhabit is by observing them respectfully from a distance and avoiding any actions that could disrupt their environment.
Maintaining clean beaches by properly disposing of trash and participating in cleanup efforts also contributes to a healthier ocean for all species. Understanding the interconnectedness of marine life and respecting coastal ecosystems helps preserve the balance of our oceans. This collective effort ensures that future generations can appreciate the wonders of the marine world.