Report Details

Today, we observed 464 Ochre sea stars (Pisaster ochraceus) at the northern rocky outcroppings exposed by the low tides at Silver Point. We had 8 team members participate for 1.5 hours for a total survey effort of 12 hours. These efforts involved visually inspecting the stars for signs of sea star wasting syndrome (SSWS). A total of 373 stars were healthy (80%), 71 had one white lesion on the ray or central disk (mild SSWS; 15%), while 20 individuals had more than one lesion, arm curling, body disintegration, or organs emerging from body cavity (severe SSWS; 4%). We sent images to MARINe who confirmed our correct designations of mild vs. severe disease category symptoms. Size class measurements ranged from the minute 10mm to a whopping 260mm, measured from the center of the central disk to the longest ray. No stars were touched in this observation (visual inspection only). Of the 373 healthy individuals counted, 320 individuals measured between 50-140mm in terms of size class designations, which is 85.7% of all healthy Pisaster measured. Only a few juvenile stars were observed. In addition, our group had 15 positive outreach interactions with the curious public at this site to educate about sea star wasting syndrome, tidepool etiquette, and why it is imperative NOT to touch any sea stars.

Conditions

Temperature: 58 F. Cloud Cover: Partly Cloudy. Tide Level: -1.2 feet.

Human Activities

Number of people: 30. Number of dogs: 4. Walking or running: 20. Tidepooling: 10. Other Activities: This number is a conservative estimate of visitors to the immediate vicinity of the Silver Point tidepools in addition to our group of 8.. Silver Point at extreme low tides attracted many curious onlookers eager to explore the tidepools. I believe that this site would greatly benefit from a tidepool ambassador program, similar to the one set up at Cape Falcon Marine reserve.

Concerns

Apparent violations: Observed poor tidepool etiquette, including touching organisms and energetic, barking dogs off-leash, pooping on the sand (owner did not clean up after their animal)..

Vehicles

Cars/trucks parking: 30.

Notable Wildlife

Observed an exact total of 464 Ochre sea stars (Pisaster ochraceus) on the north side of Silver Point rocks exposed by the extreme low tide.

Driftline Content

Small rocks, Shells, Animal casings (e.g., crab, shrimp molt).

Actions & Comments

A MARINe seastar observation log was completed for qualitative observations of SSWS at this locality for this date. 

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All Mile 311 Reports

Showing 8 of 25 reports

Mile 311

September 9, 2022

What a beautiful morning at mile 311!

browneyed

Mile 311

August 14, 2022

Today, we observed a total of 896 Ochre sea stars (Pisaster ochraceus) at the northern rocky outcroppings exposed by the low tides at Silver Point.

sultanym

Mile 311

July 31, 2022

Today, we observed a total of 1388 Ochre sea stars (Pisaster ochraceus) at the northern rocky outcroppings exposed by the low tides at Silver Point.

sultanym

Mile 311

July 17, 2022

Today, we observed a whopping total of 1,059 Ochre sea stars (Pisaster ochraceus) at the northern rocky outcroppings exposed by the low tides at Silver Point.

sultanym

Mile 311

June 18, 2022

Today, we observed 464 Ochre sea stars (Pisaster ochraceus) at the northern rocky outcroppings exposed by the low tides at Silver Point.

sultanym

Mile 311

June 4, 2022

A morning walk on mile 311 from Tolovanna Wayside to Silver Point/Jockey Cap revealed a high relative abundance of ochre sea stars (Pisaster ochraceus) in rocky tidepools during the outgoing tide.

sultanym

Mile 311

March 28, 2022

At 9:16am, on 3/28/2022, I was birdwatching at Silver Point, Clatsop County when I was excited to observe a light-colored, white faced, large bodied sea otter swimming north around the left most sea stack.

sultanym

Mile 311

September 7, 2021

Specifically came out for the new moon low-tide action, and Silver Point delivered.

browneyed