25 endangered sunflower sea stars discovered in Yaquina Bay on Oregon Coast
Twenty-five critically endangered sunflower sea stars were discovered in Yaquina Bay this month — a promising sign after a decade of sharp declines in the species.
Divers with the Oregon Coast Aquarium documented one adult and 24 juvenile sunflower stars, the most in one place since populations were decimated by sea star wasting syndrome.
The sea stars, which can grow to 3 feet across and have up to 20 arms, lost some 90% of its population between 2013 and 2017 and was proposed for protection under the federal Endangered Species Act in March.
“To come across not one, but 25 sunflower stars? It’s incredible. It’s unprecedented. I am so excited about what this could mean for the species,” Oregon Coast Aquarium aquarist Tiffany Rudek said in a news release.
Rudek has spent the last several years developing a treatment for sea stars impacted by stress, injury or disease — including those suffering with SSWS symptoms. She continues to collaborate with marine life groups involved in sea star research efforts.
Zach Urness has been an outdoors reporter in Oregon for 15 years and is host of the Explore Oregon Podcast. Urness is the author of “Best Hikes with Kids: Oregon” and “Hiking Southern Oregon.” He can be reached at zurness@StatesmanJournal.com or 503-399-6801. Find him on Twitter at @ZachsORoutdoors.
This article originally appeared on Salem Statesman Journal: Endangered sunflower sea stars discovered on Oregon Coast
