Collecting Starfish

January 14, 2021

Question: Am I allowed to collect starfish from tidepools in California? (Amy)

Answer: The take of sea stars (commonly known as “starfish”) is prohibited in tidepools, per California Code of Regulations, Title 14, section 29.05. Sea stars are an important predatory species in the marine ecosystem and historically have been an iconic resident of many tidepools. They help control populations of species such as urchins and mussels, which in turn allows other species to thrive.

Unfortunately, in 2013 and 2014, sea star populations experienced massive die-offs due to a wasting disease which is still affecting them today. Some species of sea stars on the West Coast have seen drastic declines in abundance. Given the health of sea star populations and their importance to the marine ecosystem, CDFW encourages coastal visitors to not disturb sea stars if they are encountered.