How are Salish Sea Stars Faring in our Ocean's Menagerie?

March 24, 2026

Drew Harvell, Professor Emerita of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology at Cornell University, Adjunct Faculty in the Oceans Department, Stanford University and former Science Envoy for Ocean Conservation and NOAA Aquanaut

A decade-long sea star wasting syndrome outbreak, driven by shifting marine environments, has endangered sunflower stars and altered kelp ecosystems from Alaska to Mexico. Research by Dr. Drew Harvell and colleagues identifies Vibrio pectenicida as a primary pathogen, aiding rehabilitation efforts. While the epidemic impacted twenty other species, many, like the ochre star, are now recovering. The Salish Sea continues to host globally significant populations of sea stars and nudibranchs, and we invite you to explore the capabilities of these diverse marine invertebrates.