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Sunflower Sea Star

Sunflower Sea Star

Pycnopodia helianthoides

Protected Status

ESA Candidate
Throughout Its Range

Quick Facts

Region
Alaska, West Coast
See Regulatory Actions
Sea star on ocean bottom

About the Species

The sunflower sea star occurs throughout intertidal and subtidal coastal waters of the Northeast Pacific Ocean from the Aleutian Islands, Alaska, to at least the Southern California Bight.

Sunflower sea stars are broadcast spawners that require close proximity to mates for successful fertilization.

There is no single, systematically collected data set that provides population size or long-term trend data for sunflower sea stars throughout their range. However, from 2013-17, an outbreak of sea star wasting syndrome contributed to precipitous population declines in several areas, with impacts progressing sequentially from south to north. Disease, specifically sea star wasting syndrome, appears to be the primary threat to the species.

Protected Status

ESA Candidate

  • Throughout Its Range

Scientific Classification

Kingdom Animalia
Phylum Echinodermata
Class Asteroidea
Order Forcipulatida
Family Asteriidae
Genus Pycnopodia
Species helianthoides

Last updated by NOAA Fisheries on 12/29/2021

Featured News

Sea star on ocean bottom The sunflower sea star, Pycnopodia helianthoides, is native to the West Coast. Credit: NOAA Fisheries
Feature Story

NOAA Fisheries Weighs Protection for Sunflower Sea Star Native to West Coast

West Coast
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Last updated by NOAA Fisheries on 12/29/2021

Last updated by NOAA Fisheries on 12/29/2021

In the Spotlight

Last updated by NOAA Fisheries on 12/29/2021

Management Overview

NOAA Fisheries initiated a status review of this species in December 2021. This status review will be used to determine whether listing the sunflower sea star as a threatened or endangered species under the Endangered Species Act is warranted. During this time, the sunflower sea star is considered a candidate species under the ESA.

Key Actions and Documents

Actions & Documents

90-Day Finding on a Petition to List the the Sunflower Sea Star Under the Endangered Species Act

We, NOAA Fisheries, announce a 90-day finding on a petition to list the sunflower sea star (Pycnopodia helianthoides) as threatened or endangered under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) and to designate critical habitat concurrent with the listing. We…
Notice
,
Alaska
West Coast
Published

Last updated by NOAA Fisheries on 12/29/2021

Science Overview

Recent Science Blogs

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Last updated by NOAA Fisheries on 12/29/2021