Once prevalent all along the coast regions of British Columbia Purple Sea stars, as well as many other sea star species thrived however due to a relatively unknown bacteria and slight increase in water temperature the sea stars began to die off.
The mass die off was not only shocking to the science community but the divers and beachcombers that were accustomed to see hundreds of sea stars both in the water and along the shorelines. Dubbed Sea Star Wasting syndrome, the infected sea stars would literally waste away turning into a puddle of goo.
Of the last 6-8 month the sea stars are starting to return, no where near the numbers that once where but slowly they are being seen once again by people.
It was unmanageable that you wouldn't see hundreds on a dive and now your lucky to see just one. It's quite an impact when something like a sea star disappears.
Thanks for reading.
Scott
For more images and stories - http://www.scottstevensonphotography.ca/