After a looong prop plane ride Elliot and Ian arrived in Dutch Harbor, Alaska, where the team had previously performed work in April 2015. Back then we’d taken 80 samples to see if the candidate virus involved in the disease, SSaDV, was present. At the time there was no disease observed. The flight out was pretty incredible – lots of scenic volcanoes as we passed Unamak Island and the Alaska Peninsula.

Stupidly beautiful scenery as we fly across the Alaska Peninsula

Volcanoes on Unamak Island from 20K feet

After the usual hair-raising (albeit it was less so this time – light winds) landing at Unalaska Airport, we quickly checked into the hotel, and immediately went into the field in search of sea stars. It didn’t take long – a low tide revealed numerous very healthy looking Evasterias troscheli in waters adjacent to the hotel!

View from the wharves near the…