The Pacific Northwest faces an ecological crisis as sunflower sea stars, distinctive creatures with up to 24 arms, face near-extinction due to a devastating wasting disease. In a groundbreaking conservation effort, marine biologists from the University of Washington are collaborating with the Samish Indian Nation to develop breeding and restoration programs. This partnership combines scientific expertise with indigenous ecological knowledge to combat the population collapse affecting these critical marine predators and restore balance to Pacific coastal ecosystems.

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