Rare Sightings of Endangered Sunflower Sea Stars | ONC Subsea Cameras Capture a Comeback

The critically endangered *sunflower sea star (Pycnopodia helianthoides)* has been captured on Ocean Networks Canada's subsea cameras at *Hartley Bay* (~85 m depth) and *Campbell River* (~8 m depth) coastal community observatories along the Pacific coast. Researchers from the *Hakai Institute* and their partners have identified the cause of the wasting disease that decimated sunflower sea star poopulations from *Mexico to Alaska* over the past decade. Sunflower sea stars are vital to the health of *kelp forests*, helping to control sea urchin populations—without them, urchins overgraze and destroy these habitats. This video compilation showcases *rare sightings from 2024 and 2025* of one of the Pacific Ocean’s most important—and most threatened—marine species. 🔗 Learn more about Ocean Net