Return of the Sea Star

A mottled sea star (Evasterias troschelii) rests among the algae, barnacles, and limpets at low tide in Kalfia Bay. Beginning in 2014, a marine heat wave prompted the spread of Sea Star Wasting Syndrome throughout the Gulf of Alaska region. The symptoms of the syndrome included twisted arms, white lesions, deflated arms, arm loss, and body disintegration. Over the past 10 years, sea star populations have slowly begun to recover and are becoming more prevalent along the rocky coasts of Katmai National Park and Preserve.