The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) is proposing to list the sunflower sea star as a “threatened” species under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) based on the findings of a recently published population status review. The ESA defines a threatened species as likely to become endangered in all or a portion of its range within the foreseeable future. The status review was triggered by a 2021 petition from the Center for Biological Diversity. The ESA does not allow listing of smaller, discrete population units for invertebrates, unlike vertebrate species. As such, even though sunflower sea star declines are less severe in Alaska, a listing for the species will cover its entire range.
The NMFS status review focused on the wide-spread population declines following a large outbreak of sea star wasting disease—thought to be the principal threat to the species. There is no indication that direct human activities such as fishing have contributed to the decline. Sea star bycatch in fisheries is considered to be a low-level threat to the species. However, if the sunflower sea star is listed, it could have impacts on state managed fisheries.
The proposed listing notice can be found at https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2023-03-16/pdf/2023-05340.pdf Publication of the proposed listing rule opened a 60-day public comment period.
NMFS’s final decision could remain unchanged from the proposal to list the species as “threatened,” but a listing as “endangered” is possible, depending on the information the agency receives during the review.
What you can do?
As noted above, NMFS’s Federal Register notice announcing the proposed listing of the sunflower sea star opened a 60-day public comment period on the proposal. The ESA requires NMFS to consider and address public comments before publishing a final listing rule. Providing public comments and information on observations of sunflower sea stars and the level of bycatch in fisheries can help NMFS make a more informed decision on listing. The deadline for public comments is May 15, 2023.