ABSTRACT
Diving studies are being used to observe starfish, primarily Asterias rubens, in a shallow rock and boulder slope area, 8 m below L.A.T.. A series of ropes has been set up to act as a basis for belt transects. Pairs of divers traverse an area of 500 m2 and score any starfish found for position, mean arm radius and activity. From this, a pattern over the year is seen of density increasing to a peak in March and decreasing through Hay down to November, when an increase is again seen. The numbers of starfish feeding follows the same pattern, but no fall-off is seen until late September, when the sea temperature also begins to fall .
