Northern Pacific Seastar Removal

Not all the marine life residing in Port Phillip Bay is good for the environment and the Northern Pacific Seastar is a good example of how one species can do much to damage the native marine environment.

While it is not currently possible to rid the Bay of this exotic species, you can help minimise its impact on other native marine fauna.

North Pacific Seastar Removal

Once a month during the cooler months from March to October, volunteers attempt to minimise the impact of North Pacific Seastars on the seagrasses surrounding the St Kilda pier - home to our own native seastars and a food source for the Rakali - by removing these exotic seastars by hand.

The Water Team consists of volunteer licenced divers, snorkelers and people who are willing to wade in sea water to pick out any Northern Pacific Seastars sighted by hand.  Divers and snorkelers should wear wetsuits, and booties, and suitable footware for all Water Team members is highly recommended to protect against cuts and stings.

A second Land Based Team assist in the counting, weighing and measuring of seastars removed. 

2012 Northern Pacific Seastar Removal days

Further Details

If you would like to know more about Northern Pacific Seastars, click here.

This activity is open to all both members of Earthcare St Kilda and local residents. 
For further information on this activity, please contact Julianne Stuart on juliannestuart@yahoo.com

Get Involved

• Rakali Watch
• Penguin Guides
• Seagrass Surveys
• Port Philip Nature Watch
• Northern Pacific Seastar Removal
• Foreshore and Reserve Revegetation
• Penguin Research
• Clean Up Australia Day
• Walk on the Wild Side - Elwood