Add BrightSurf on Google Email

Hakai Institute


Researchers discover cause of sea star wasting disease

Researchers discover Vibrio pectenicida as the causative agent behind sea star wasting disease, a devastating epidemic that has killed billions of sunflower sea stars. The discovery is crucial for recovering these species and their kelp forest ecosystems, which provide habitat for thousands of marine creatures and contribute millions t...

SourceHakai Institute·JournalNature Ecology & Evolution·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 4, 2025

Researchers find crab and clam resilience etched into shells

Researchers found that crab and clam species have remained stable in the Broken Group Islands for the past 3,000 years due to their resilience etched into shells. The study's novel approach uses repair scars on clam shells to assess historical crab populations, providing a tool for coastal conservation efforts.

SourceHakai Institute·JournalBiological Conservation·TypeObservational study·DateJul 8, 2025

Threatened sea stars are finding refuge in bc fjords

A new study suggests that sunflower sea stars are surviving disease outbreaks in British Columbia's Central Coast fjords due to the unique oceanographic conditions. The fjords' mix of cold water and freshwater runoff provides a refuge for the species, allowing them to venture deeper and escape the effects of sea star wasting disease.

SourceHakai Institute·JournalProceedings of the Royal Society B Biological Sciences·TypeObservational study·DateApr 11, 2025