Many starfish of been appearing along the North American coastlines, from Alaska down to Baja California. Reports according to the Guardian.com shows that sea stars, known as starfish have been dying in droves and washing up on shore. Marine biologists suspect that the culprit is a little-understood “wasting” disease known as “sea star-associated densovirus”, or SSaDV.
We are urging biologists and researchers at UCLA to do a thorough research into what is causing the starfish to literally “rot away” and die. As these researchers stated, the legs of the starfish first begin to shrivel up, followed by lesions. Each leg then begins to inch away and eventually detach. The starfish then literally deteriorates until nothing is left but a sticky goo. These animals are suffering tremendously. This is becoming a real epidemic and a huge mystery. We are hoping that marine biologists and other researchers at University of California in Santa Cruz will do a full investigation and development methods that will resolve this medical mystery that could save the life of the starfish along the Pacific Coast.
A marine biologists at UCLA states that “t is by far the best study in marine disease ever. We are almost in real time being able to detect where the outbreak is and what species are being affected.” Once the primary cause is uncovered through deep research, scientists can develop methods to combat the disease. Through the help and support of this petition and your support, we are seeking a full investigation and resolution that will save the lives and health of the starfish species affected in an effort to protect their existence and avoid extinction.
National Marine Fisheries Service – It is horrific that these starfish are literally suffering and deteriorating in droves. We are urging you to do an extensive study on the problem and develop methods that will save the sea stars from this mystery disease and protect them from demise and possible extinction.
