Sunflower Sea Star
Pycnopodia helianthoides
Protection Status
Quick Facts
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 northern Baja California, Mexico. They are found to a depth of at least 435 meters on various substrate types, from rocky kelp forests to sand and mud flats.
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 largely progressing sequentially from south to north. Disease, specifically sea star wasting syndrome, is the primary threat to the species. The influence of environmental stressors, including those associated with anthropogenic climate change, on disease risk are unresolved and are a major research focus.
Scientific Classification
Kingdom | Animalia | Phylum | Echinodermata | Class | Asteroidea | Order | Forcipulatida | Family | Asteriidae | Genus | Pycnopodia | Species | helianthoides |
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Featured News
In the Spotlight
Management Overview
NOAA Fisheries has completed a status review of the sunflower sea star (Pycnopodia helianthoides) and is proposing to list the species as threatened throughout its range under the Endangered Species Act.
Key Actions and Documents
Documents
Biological Opinion National Marine Fisheries Service, Office of Protected Resources, Permits and Conservation Division Trident Bunkhouse Dock Replacement Project, Kodiak, Alaska
Endangered Species Act (ESA) Section 7(a)(2) Biological Opinion for NMFS, Office of Protected…
Biological Opinion Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities Permits and Conservation Division Auke Bay East Terminal Improvements Project, Juneau, Alaska
Endangered Species Act (ESA) Section 7(a)(2) Biological Opinion for Biological Opinion Alaska DOT…
Biological Opinion National Marine Fisheries Service, Office of Protected Resources, Permits and Conservation Division Hydaburg Seaplane Facility Refurbishment Project, Hydaburg, Alaska
Endangered Species Act (ESA) Section 7(a)(2) Biological Opinion for NMFS, Office of Protected…
Biological Opinion National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), Office of Protected Resources, Permits and Conservation Division Cordova Harbor Rebuild Project, Cordova, Alaska
Endangered Species Act (ESA) Section 7(a)(2) Biological Opinion for NMFS, Office of Protected …