Melanie Prentice

Melanie Prentice, a researcher at the University of British Columbia and the Hakai Institute, dives into the decade-long enigma of sea star wasting disease. She reveals how her team identified the pathogen, vibriopectin acida, behind the alarming decline of the sunflower sea star. The impact on marine ecosystems is profound, with a 90% population loss disrupting ecological balance. Prentice also discusses the connection between rising ocean temperatures and marine pathogens, highlighting the urgent need for conservation efforts to restore these vital creatures.