Tasmania is home to a remarkable creature - the live-bearing sea star Parvulastra vivipara. This vibrant, orange, pentagon-shaped starfish, no bigger than your thumbnail, is endemic to southeast Tasmania’s rocky shorelines.

‘Live-bearing’ refers to its unusual reproductive mode. Unlike many echinoderms (e.g. starfish, brittle stars, sea urchins, sand dollars and sea cucumbers) that release eggs and sperm into the water for external fertilisation, the Tasmanian Live-Bearing Sea Star gives birth to fully formed juvenile sea stars. However, over the last 50 years, its numbers have plummeted dramatically, placing it at serious risk of extinction.

Live Bearing Sea Star

Beyond its unique biology and bright beauty, the Tasmanian live-bearing sea star plays an important role in maintaining the health and balance of our marine ecosystems. Due to its sensitivity, the health of this species is an indicator of health of the intertidal ecosystem. Losing this species would mean losing a vital thread in south-east Tasmania’s coastal web of life.

Unfortunately, invasive species like Pacific oysters and New Zealand porcelain crabs have taken over much of the sea star’s habitat, degrading the rocky shores where it lives and altering the sea star’s behaviour. However, there is hope for the sea star: we can support this species to re-populate.

Wildcare Friends of Lumeah Point, in partnership with researchers from IMAS (The Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies at University of Tasmania), are leading the charge to restore this precious habitat. In late 2025, thanks to dedicated volunteers, they’ve removed 280 kilograms of invasive oysters and 3,000 porcelain crabs - an excellent effort that’s already making a difference.

The work continues in 2026 and the Wildcare Friends of Lumeah Point group need many more hands to sustain this critical conservation work. You’re invited to join the upcoming working bees to help remove these invasive species and give the live-bearing sea star a fighting chance. Come for one session or come for them all!

Working Bee dates

Friday, 30 January 11:30am - 3:30pm
Sunday, 1 February 1:30pm - 5:30pm
Sunday, 15 February 12:30pm - 4:30pm
Friday, 27 February 11:00am - 3:00pm

All gear, including kneeling pads, gloves, and safety glasses, will be provided. This is physical but not overly heavy work and involves crouching, kneeling, and walking on uneven terrain. Complimentary tea, coffee, and biscuits will be provided.

Get Involved
For insurance and communications purposes, you’ll need to be a Wildcare member ($35/year) and Friends of Lumeah Point member and register for the events via our Events page.

This project is led by Elizabeth Castle from UTas, who welcomes your questions:

Email: elizabeth.castle@utas.edu.au
Phone: 0466 044 743

Together, we can protect this extraordinary sea star and the future of south-east Tasmania’s coastal ecosystems. Join us at Lumeah Point - every helping hand will help turn the tide for this endangered species!

Friends of Bass Strait Islands

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