Finding a sea star, commonly known as a starfish, on the sand requires an immediate assessment to determine if the animal is in distress. These marine invertebrates are related to sea urchins and sand dollars. The primary goal when encountering a stranded sea star is respectful observation and conservation.
Determining If the Starfish is Alive
Identifying whether a sea star is alive or has perished is the first and most important step, as it dictates your next course of action. A key indicator of a live sea star is its coloration and overall physical condition. Healthy individuals often display vibrant, natural colors and maintain a firm, robust structure, while a deceased or dying sea star can appear pale, shriveled, or limp to the touch.
Look closely for subtle movement, particularly from the hundreds of tiny tube feet found on the underside of its arms. These feet are part of the sea star’s water vascular system and are used for locomotion and attachment. Even if the animal seems completely still, it may be conserving energy or moving at a pace too slow for human detection. Some species become very still when disturbed, a behavior that can mimic death.
To definitively test for life, gently place the sea star into a pool of clean seawater or a shallow, water-filled depression in the sand. Observe it for several minutes. A live specimen will often begin to slowly extend and move its tube feet or attempt to right itself if placed upside down. If the sea star remains completely unresponsive, develops tiny white spots, or emits a noticeable odor of decomposition, it is likely no longer alive.
Handling and Returning Live Starfish
If your assessment determines the sea star is alive, immediate intervention can save its life. When handling the animal, extreme gentleness is required to prevent damage to its delicate body structure. The safest method for picking up a loose sea star is to slide your hand underneath its central disc, the body section from which the arms radiate, rather than pulling on its arms.
Air exposure is detrimental to a sea star because they use their papulae, or skin gills, and tube feet to exchange oxygen and carbon dioxide with the water. Air exposure prevents this vital gas exchange, and even brief exposure, especially on a hot day, can lead to internal damage. Therefore, keep the rescue time as short as possible.
Transport the sea star toward the ocean, keeping it submerged in a bucket of seawater or continuously wet with saltwater. The ideal location for release is in the subtidal zone, below the lowest tide line, or in a deep, sheltered tide pool. Place the sea star gently onto the seafloor, ensuring it is right-side up, and allow it to reorient itself. Avoid picking up any sea star actively attached to a rock or substrate, as forcing it free can tear its tube feet and cause severe injury.
Rules Regarding Starfish Collection and Keepsakes
The desire to take a sea star home as a souvenir is common, but it is important to understand the legal and ecological implications. In many coastal regions, including state and national parks, collecting any live marine invertebrate is strictly prohibited and can result in significant fines. It is always advisable to check local regulations before removing anything from the beach environment.
Even when a sea star is confirmed to be deceased, collecting the specimen may still be restricted in protected areas. From an ecological standpoint, dead sea stars serve a purpose by contributing nutrients and calcium back into the marine ecosystem as they decompose. They also provide a food source for scavengers and other organisms.
If collecting a naturally deceased sea star is permitted, you can preserve it for a keepsake. This process involves ensuring the specimen is completely dry and stabilized to prevent decomposition. A common method is to soak the dead sea star in a solution of isopropyl rubbing alcohol for one to two days, which sanitizes and begins the drying process. Following the alcohol bath, the sea star must be dried thoroughly in the sun, often with the arms weighted down to keep them flat as they harden.