Tasmanian Live-bearing Seastar

Habitat 

• 'Habitat' refers to both known habitat for the species (i.e. in or near habitat where the species has been recorded) and potential habitat (i.e. areas of habitat with appropriate characteristics for the species and within the species' potential range which have not yet been adequately surveyed).
• If in doubt about whether a site represents potential habitat for this species, contact the Threatened Species Section for further advice.
• The Live-bearing Seastar lives between rocks or in crevices that are covered at high tide and uncovered at low tide. They appear to have a water depth limit, being found from just below the high water mark to a depth of approximately 1.2 m at high water. The species prefers gently sloping, sheltered shores which contain rocks 20 to 30 cm high.
• The known range of the Live-bearing Seastar includes 13 locations in the southeast. The potential range of the species is unlikely to extend beyond the currently known range.
• The distribution of the Live-bearing Seastar is severely fragmented and all known localities are separated by distances that exceed the presumed dispersal capacity of the species.

What to avoid

• Further spread of introduced seastars (New Zealand Seastar and Northern Pacific Seastar)
• Removal of substrates (e.g. rocks) from the intertidal zone
• Polluting the ocean

​​​​​​

• Surveys can be conducted year-round. Some researchers advocate surveying at night or on overcast days when seastars are likely to be more visible as they emerge from cover to feed.
• Surveys generally consist of observers walking the area between the high and low tide mark, visually searching for the species. Please note that surveys which involve turning over rocks have the capacity to damage this species.
• If you are considering conducting a survey contact the Threatened Species Section for more information on obtaining a permit.

• ​Learn how to distinguish the Live-bearing seastar from the more common introduced seastars such as the New Zealand Seastar and the Northern Pacific Seastar.
• If you live or work in the area where the species occurs (see distribution map, above), look out for and record any observations of the species. All records of this species can provide important information on distribution and abundance.
• Please do not disturb Live-bearing Seastars - a permit is required from the Threatened Species Section to handle any threatened species including the Live-bearing Seastar.
• Important! Always report any observations of the species to the NRE Natural Values Atlas, or else provide the data direct to the Threatened Species Section. Records stored on the NVA are a permanent record and are accessible to other people interested in this species.
• Consider the needs of the whole habitat. Preserving a threatened species' habitat is the best way to manage both the species and the environment in which it lives.
• Join a local community group and become a champion for the Live-bearing Seastar!
• See the 'What is Needed' section in the Live-bearing Seastar Listing Statement for a full list of conservation management actions for this species.

• Construction activities in the intertidal zone (for example, bridges, jetties, causeways) can have direct impacts on habitat for this species by disturbing or removing substrate (rocks, crevices).
• Construction activities within or adjacent to the intertidal zone may also inadvertently lead to water pollution through input of chemicals or silt into the ocean from the construction site.
• To avoid loss or degradation of intertidal habitat - avoid construction activities in the vicinity of known localities.

• Avenues for pollution which are relevant to the Live-bearing Seastar include ground water seepage from urban (including sewerage), industrial and agricultural land uses. This can lead to an increase in nutrients such as phosphates and nitrates which promote excessive algal growth.
• To prevent degradation of intertidal habitat - avoid activities in the vicinity of known localities which can lead to impacts on water quality, including pollutants arising from application of fertilisers, herbicides and insecticides, and seepage from sewerage.

• To prevent degradation of intertidal habitat - avoid using chemicals such as fertilisers, herbicides and insecticides in areas that may enter ground water and flow into the ocean.

​​Conservation Advice​