Wasted. Since 2013, more than twenty species of sea star have been impacted by SSWD from Mexico to Alaska. SEA STAR WASTING SYNDROME In preparation for our exhibition "The Flowers Are Burning" we were in contact with several marine biologists, researchers, aquarium staff, and science writers in the spring of 2015.Daniela Ginta, freelance writer for Planet Experts, generously offered to write an article about Sea Star Wasting Syndrome (SSWS) for our exhibition. Sea stars along much of the North American Pacific coast experienced a massive die-off in 2013/14 due to a mysterious wasting syndrome. Sea star wasting disease (SSWD) first appeared in Oregon in April 2014, and by June had spread to most of the coast. Last update: October 28, 2019 Sea Star Wasting Disease (SSWD) – summary of current state of knowledge. Up to 90% of individuals showed signs of disease from June-August 2014. But while such stressors may have something to do with the rapid spread of sea star wasting syndrome, the researchers now think the underlying cause of … By The Marine Detective on November 10, 2013. We propose that SSWD be re-named “Asteroid Idiopathic Wasting Syndrome… Sea star wasting syndrome has been impacting west coast populations of sea stars since summer 2013. Up to 90% of individuals showed signs of disease from June-August 2014. She had heard reports that even captive sea stars in the Vancouver Aquarium were dying. Some researchers think the culprit could be a viral pathogen, but evidence is inconclusive. By The Marine Detective on November 10, 2013. Although the sea star wasting syndrome is a complex and not yet understood occurrence, the involvement of the community is a new and positive outcome of this event. Similar die-offs occurred in the 1970s, 80s, and 90s, but never before at this magnitude and over such a wide geographic area. “The citizen science effort behind the sea star wasting syndrome helps forge a better connection between what MARINe is doing with their long term monitoring and the general public,” Melissa says. Sea star wasting syndrome has been impacting west coast populations of sea stars since summer 2013. Some researchers think the culprit could be a viral pathogen, but evidence is inconclusive. From the Alaskan coast all the way to Baja, Mexico, sea stars are falling to a gruesome disease—a sickness that starts when a white film grows on the star’s flesh, and ends when the animal dissolves into mush. The wasting disease that is affecting sea stars also is not specific to one species: more than 20 sea star species have been affected so far. This unprecedented phenomenon, known as sea star wasting disease (SSWD), ultimately affected more than … Sea star wasting disease (SSWD) first appeared in Oregon in April 2014, and by June had spread to most of the coast. From 2013 to 2014, Sea Star Wasting Syndrome hit starfish -- also known as sea stars -- from British Columbia to Mexico. Sea star disease epidemic surges in Oregon, local extinctions expected June 04, 2014 - Just in the past two weeks, the incidence of sea star wasting syndrome has exploded along the Oregon Coast and created an epidemic of historic magnitude, one that threatens to decimate the entire population of purple ochre sea stars. The recently published paper by Hewson et al. “Densovirus associated with sea-star wasting disease and mass mortality” provides evidence for a link between a densovirus (SSaDV) and sea star wasting syndrome (SSWS). Scientists aren’t sure what causes this disease, known as sea star wasting syndrome (SSWS). Massive Starfish Die-Off Is Tied To Global Warming Sea stars along the Pacific Coast are dying in the largest disease epidemic ever documented in a wild marine species. Since 2013, more than twenty species of sea star … Last update: October 28, 2019 Sea Star Wasting Disease (SSWD) – summary of current state of knowledge. Sea stars are dying off at dramatic rates across the West Coast from Baja California in Mexico to Alaska. Sea star wasting syndrome has been impacting west coast populations of sea stars since summer 2013. Reports of further losses from the disease, which has all but eradicated multiple sea star species in certain spots, now stretch from Alaska to Mexico.