Following a 2021 petition to list the sunflower sea star under the Endangered Species Act, NOAA Fisheries has completed a draft status review of the species. Scientists from the review team will discuss their findings and next steps during a teleconference briefing for media partners. The sunflower sea star, Pycnopodia helianthoides, measures up to 3 feet across, making it the second largest sea star in the world. The species has declined in the last decade in association with sea star wasting syndrome, likely worsened by warmer ocean conditions. WHEN: Wednesday, March 15, 12pm, Pacific Time; WHAT: Media teleconference briefing with scientists; WHO: Dayv Lowry, NOAA Fisheries West Coast Region; Sadie Wright, NOAA Fisheries Alaska Region; Lisa Manning, National Listing Coordinator, NOAA Fisheries Office of Protected Resources.
