The Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History’s Sea Center has welcomed two new Sunflower Sea Star siblings to support the recovery of the species. The Sunflower Sea Stars, which are the world’s largest sea star species, have been added to the Sea Center’s collection in an effort to help restore kelp forests and promote the health of the ocean ecosystem.

Conservation Efforts

The Sunflower Sea Star Laboratory, a non-profit organization, has been working to raise sea stars and restore kelp forests alongside partner organizations. The laboratory’s executive director, Reuven Bank, explained that the success of the White Abalone Recovery Project serves as an example of the power of collaborative conservation in action.

The Sunflower Sea Stars are native to the eastern Pacific coastline, ranging from Baja Mexico to the Aleutian Islands of Alaska. They can grow up to a meter in arm-to-arm span and weigh as much as five kilograms. The sea stars play a crucial role in regulating the health of kelp forests by eating urchins, which can overgraze and damage the kelp.

Impact of Sea Star Wasting Disease

In 2013-2014, a sea star wasting disease devastated the Sunflower Sea Star population, causing a significant decline in their numbers. The disease, which is still present in local waters, can progress rapidly and has been linked to a strain of bacteria. The Sea Center’s director, Rich Smalldon, shared that the center had Sunflower Sea Stars during the disease outbreak, but they were not spared the devastation.

The addition of the two new Sunflower Sea Stars to the Sea Center’s collection is a step towards supporting the recovery of the species and promoting the health of the ocean ecosystem. The Sea Center is working to raise awareness about the importance of conservation efforts and the impact of human activities on the environment.

Original reporting: KEYT (Ventura/Santa Barbara) — read the source article.