BREAKING NEWS
IN FOCUS
Lawsuit Filed to Save Sunflower Sea Star From Extinction
SAN FRANCISCO— The Center for Biological Diversity sued the Trump administration today over the National Marine Fisheries Service’s failure to protect imperiled sunflower sea stars as threatened under the Endangered Species Act.
The Service proposed to protect the sea stars in 2023, in response to a petition by the Center. The agency was required to finalize the listing in a year, but did not meet that deadline. The second Trump administration has not yet listed a single species under the Endangered Species Act.
“These incredible many-armed sea stars have taken a huge hit from climate change and obviously need protection, but for years federal officials haven’t acted,” said Miyoko Sakashita, oceans program director at the Center. “It’s been painful to watch disease spread among the species as the ocean warms. We need to jump in and do everything we can to save these gorgeous sea stars. The Trump administration has a clear legal duty to take action on these amazing animals.”
Read more.
Media Contacts:
Media director: Patrick Sullivan, [email protected], (510) 844-7116
Climate: Nyshie Perkinson, Media Specialist – [email protected], (718) 928-5148
Endangered species, carnivore conservation: Aaron Kunkler, Media Specialist – [email protected], (206) 949-5353
Energy justice: Mary K. Reinhart, Deputy Media Director – [email protected], (602) 320-7309
Oceans, international wildlife, and Alaska: Natalie Jones, Media Specialist – [email protected], (510) 418-0179
Oil and gas pollution, decommissioning issues: Kyle Dunphey, Media Specialist – [email protected]
Pesticides, toxics, air pollution, industrial agriculture and environmental health: Andy Parker, Media Specialist – [email protected], (503) 310-5569
Population and sustainability: Kim Dinan, Media Specialist – [email protected], (513) 535-1306
Public Lands, national monuments: Mary K. Reinhart, Deputy Director of the Media Program – [email protected], (602) 320-7309
Southwest, borderlands, New Mexico, Southern Rockies, Northern Rockies and Great Basin: Vanessa Barchfield, Senior Media Specialist – [email protected], (520) 867-6686
Urban wildlands, government affairs: Wendy Leung, Senior Media Specialist – [email protected], (818) 625-3128
Media photos: Patrick Sullivan, Media Director, [email protected], (510) 844-7116
