Tracking the Northern Pacific sea star Asterias amurensis with acoustic transmitters in the scallop mariculture field of Hokkaido, Japan

Abstract

The Northern Pacific sea star Asterias amurensis has a major negative impact on scallop mariculture. In northern Japan, fishermen clean up sea stars before releasing young scallops in the mariculture field; however, new sea stars constantly invade the field from outside areas to feed on scallops. Thus, it is important to determine the migration speed and seasonal behavioral patterns of the Northern Pacific sea star to implement effective density control measures. Here, we set out to quantify these parameters using acoustic telemetry. In a rearing experiment, acoustic transmitters were retained on sea stars for up to 71 days using nylon fishing line. In the field experiment, we showed that the moving distance of the Northern Pacific sea star over a 1-week period was significantly further in spring (90.9 ± 49.9 m) than in summer (25.1 ± 18.9 m), and that the moving speed was significantly faster in spring (18.1 ± 15.2 m/day) than in summer (4.3 ± 9.1 m/day). Our results are the first to present the two-dimensional movement of Northern Pacific sea star individuals in spring and summer. We suggest that sea star extermination practices should be extended beyond the immediate culture area.