Bahama starfish

[Ballyhoo]

Are bahama starfish protected in the USA? I seem to be getting mixed review from them being invasive to protected

 

[johndiver999]

AI Overview

Yes, the Bahama starfish (Oreaster reticulatus) is protected in Florida and is illegal to harvest or sell. This protection extends to both commercial and recreational harvesting according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. The species is also known as the cushion sea star.

Key points about the protection of Bahama starfish:

• Illegal to harvest: It is unlawful to collect, possess, land, purchase, sell, or exchange Bahama starfish in Florida.
  
  
• Florida's jurisdiction: This protection applies to both state and federal waters within Florida.
  
  
• Over-harvesting: The species was previously over-harvested for souvenirs, leading to population declines.
  
  
• Importance to the ecosystem: Bahama starfish play a role in their ecosystem by stirring up sediment, which benefits filter-feeding marine life, according to the Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium.
  
  
• Scientific name: The Bahama starfish is also known as Oreaster reticulatus.
  

• Bahama Seastar | FWC
  Bahama Seastar * Scientific name: Oreaster reticulatus (Linnaeus, 1758) * Common name: Bahama or Cushion Sea Star. * Commercially...
  
  FWC
  
  
  
• Facts About Sea Stars in the Florida Keys - Key West Aquarium
  They were overharvested as souvenirs and curios due to their impressive size, leading to a population collapse in the Keys. They a...
  
  
  
  Key West Aquarium
  
  
  
  
  
  
• Starfish, Bahama in FL State + Fed Waters - Fish Rules
  It is unlawful to harvest, possess, land, purchase, sell, or exchange this species. Regulation Boundary: FL State + Fed Waters. Or...
  
  
  
  Fish Rules
  
  
  
  
  
  
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