Northern Pacific Seastar

The Northern Pacific seastar (Asterias amurensis) has been found in Tasmania and Victoria. Although it has not yet been found in South Australian waters it could have considerable adverse impact on the marine environment if it is introduced.

Habitat

  • Subtidal to a depth of 200 metres
  • Found on all subtidal surfaces
  • Not found in exposed, high wave energy areas

A Northern Pacific Seastar

Description

  • Five broad arms with upturned pointed ends
  • Spines on upper surface are pointed and irregularly arranged along arms
  • Spines in grooves on underside of arms have rought tips
  • 40 to 50 cm in diameter (across from tip to tip)
  • Main colour ranges from yellow through to orange, often with purple markings

You can help

Early detection and monitoring by the community are vital tools in controlling the spread and minimising the impact of marine pests.

If you know what species are normally present in all marine habitats you can learn to recognise any unusual species or species showing an abnormal change in abundance. 

You might not be able to identify a particular organism as a new invading species based on its shape or colour, but you might notice that this new organism has rapidly overgrown rocks and shoreline that historically had been a diverse community of other types of marine life.


What to do if you find an introduced species

  • Record the location accurately (use Global Positioning System (GPS) coordinates if possible)
  • Record the depth and type of bottom (eg sandy, rocky and so on)
  • Record how it was found, for example tangled in fishing tackle or anchor, drifting or sighted attached to a substrate
  • Collect a sample (except in an aquatic reserve) and store it in a plastic bag
  • Don’t throw any suspicious animal or weed back in the water
  • Report all sightings of suspected marine pests to the 24 hour FISHWATCH hotline on 1800 065 522