"THE GREAT STARFISH DIE-OFF" with Dr. Ian Hewson

About this episode

Dr. Ian Hewson discusses the Great Starfish Die-Off and its implications for marine ecosystems.

For decades, starfish were among the most common and recognizable animals along many coastlines. Then, seemingly overnight, millions began to disappear. In this episode, Dr. Ian Hewson takes us inside one of the largest wildlife disease events ever documented in the ocean: the Great Starfish Die-Off. We explore the mysterious outbreak known as Sea Star Wasting Disease, what scientists have learned about its causes, and why the loss of these remarkable creatures has ripple effects throughout entire marine ecosystems. From the biology that allows starfish to regenerate lost limbs to their critical role as keystone predators, Dr. Hewson explains why these animals are far more important than most people realize. We also discuss the challenges of studying disease in the ocean, how environmental changes can influence marine health, and what scientists are still trying to uncover about this ongoing mystery. The conversation also turns to Dr. Hewson's current work investigating disease outbreaks in sea urchins—another group of marine animals facing significant challenges in ecosystems around the world. By studying these events, researchers hope to better understand how diseases spread…

People in this episode

Host: Mark A Kyle

Guest: Dr. Ian Hewson

Topics covered

• starfish
• marine ecosystems
• Sea Star Wasting Disease
• wildlife disease
• ocean health

Keywords

• starfish
• Sea Star Wasting Disease
• marine health
• wildlife disease
• ocean ecosystems

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: www.team-acquatic-virus.com, www.furrealpodcast.com

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