Keeping Skimmer Venturi Un-clogged... Ideas?

[MJT82]

I have an SRO Classic 150-INT skimmer that will occasionally overflow, but rarely. Let me say that all-in-all I really like the skimmer. This morning I had an overflow, and after some troubleshooting, I pulled the Venturi input from the pump and an asterina star fell out... It appears that the star had occluded the Venturi input somehow, and the pump began to intake straight water, thus the overflow.

My question is: Does anyone have any ideas on how to keep the Venturi from getting clogged by stars, snails, or other large debris? Would a fine mesh secured to the Venturi work? Has anyone implemented a solution to this problem?

Thanks in advance!