It looks like a striking ornament – but this colourful starfish is the scourge of oyster beds.
One business woman couldn’t help admiring the Bloody Henry starfish she found in Argyll.
Judith Vajk of Caledonian Oysters in Loch Creran, near Oban, said: ” Oyster farmers don’t like starfish no matter how gorgeous they are
“This was quite a sight. Normally we get pink-ish ones.
“We don’t like finding them. We are constantly checking the bags for starfish when we are grading our oysters. If one gets into the bag it will just destroy them.
“It’s just part of working with nature. We always have to be vigilant of predators on our stock. Oyster Catcher birds and crabs are just as bad.
“We just throw them back into the sea and hope they don’t go back into the bag.”
Despite its name, the Bloody Henry is less predatory than other starfish.
