Barbadians urged to leave starfishes alone

BRIDGETOWN, Barbados, Jul 12, CMC – Barbadian environmental officials are urging people not to catch hundreds of starfish that washed ashore at a beach here.
The Coastal Zone Management Unit (CZMU) said it was appealing to members of the public to leave the fishes alone, saying their unusual presence may be a result of adverse weather conditions in other areas.
The CZMU said it is concerned that many people were removing the fishes from the seawater and taking them home.
“Please put them back in the water,” A CZMU officials urged, while explaining the starfish were a part of the natural eco system and would die if they were not returned to their natural environment.