Lack of starfish at Casino Point

Really want to ask Dr. Bill about this but anyone else can chime in to help me out.
Dove the point last weekend and noticed very few starfish in the park, trend or always that way? I realize there aren't that many scallops/mussels/etc. in the park for them to eat however figured there might be another reason as the area has changed so much since early 90s.

Hmmm... I see a lot of starfish in the park, although they are mostly the variable star (Linckia). You can also see the knobby star (Pisaster giganteus) frequently. Occasionally you'll find the fragile rainbow star (Astrometis) or the bat star (Patiria). However the ochre star (Pisaster ochraceous) is absent, most likely because it is found on the surf swept windward side where there are more mussels to eat.

I should add that because the park is within the region with the warmest water on Catalina (Long Point to the East End), echinoderms seem to be more sensitive to infections, especially during periods of warm water like El Ninos. Water temps have been unseasonably warm this winter (57-59) which could be a factor.

Dr. Bill