JimD, During both big ENSO events we saw starfish die-offs , they kinda rot, their arms fall off. The difference now is these are cold water conditions, kelp is very healthy, things look good. The die-off during 1997-98 was a vibrio infection. In the lab you could infect a healthy starfish and it would develop lesions then rot. Up until a month ago I wasn't seeing a problem but I have heard it's in Southern California now. Came from the north, also kinda weird . Still don't know what's causing this event but if it was the same vibrio I think researchers would know by now. Upwelling starts in the spring so conditions not currently acidified.Not thinking it has anything to do with Fukashima. How are the starfish in Japan by the way? Sorry , don't know yet.