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Sunflower Sea Stars
🕑 Added 2025-10-07 20:46:03 +0000 UTCHave you seen my latest full video yet? We met some amazing creatures - Sunflower Sea Stars - that perform a vital job balancing the ocean ecosystem on the Pacific Coast. Sadly, theyβve been almost wiped out by a vicious disease, and as a result, sea urchin populations have spiked (get it?), causing widespread destruction of kelp forests - the precious nurseries of the ocean.
The Sunflower Star Laboratory is doing amazing work breeding Sunflower Sea Stars, researching Sea Star Wasting Disease, and working towards reintroduction and restoration. Here is a video of one of their Sunflower Sea Stars doing what it does best - eating a pesky sea urchin!
Footage courtesy of SSL / Reuven Bank
Comments
Amanda S
Hi Leo! If you're every sailing around New England and want to see some more ocean focused research, please feel free to get in touch! I work at Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (whoi.edu) and we do wide ranging research and engineering work on all manners of ocean related work, including on ocean class research vessels with underwater vehicles. I'd be happy to give you a tour. Also, if you're ever interested in doing some science aboard Tally Ho we could absolutely work together to make that happen. WHOI does work with Sea Education Association aboard their ships (https://sea.edu/) and it's amazing to see what can be done from a sailing vessel. Thanks for sharing your adventures!
Sampson Boat Co
Yes, my mistake π it's a good thing I'm not a marine biologist!
Killalllifeforms
Hi Leo, I did see the full video! And I think you wanted to mention the sea urchin populations spiking as in the video, with anemones the pun falls flat! Keep up the good work, I enjoy every single one of your videos!
