Sunflower Stars Return to Kelp Forests | Seattle News

Seattle News Today | 2 Min News | The Daily News Now! · Jul 6, 2026 · 1m

A giant sunflower star, once nearly extinct after a deadly underwater pandemic, is making a dramatic comeback in Washington’s San Juan Islands thanks to a powerful partnership between scientists and the Samish Indian Nation. These 24-armed predators, vital for protecting kelp forests by keeping sea urchin populations in check, are being reintroduced after a disease delay — a move that also honors tribal traditions and seeks to heal historical wounds. Researchers are testing young stars’ survival in the wild, with plans to scale up and replicate the effort along the West Coast. Though full…