In the past several years, the world’s marine ecosystems have been under siege by a series of devastating disease outbreaks. More than five billion sea stars have perished globally, with some species experiencing population declines of over 90 percent. In the Bering Sea, over 10 billion snow crabs starved between 2018 and 2021, leading to the unprecedented closure of one of the United States’ most lucrative fisheries. Meanwhile, in southern New England, a disease causing shell degradation emerged in the early 2000s, coinciding with the collapse of the once-thriving lobster fishery. The current avian flu pandemic has further compounded these challenges, decimating marine mammal populations, including a 97 percent mortality rate among elephant seal pups in an Argentine colony in 2023.
These alarming events underscore the growing threat posed by marine diseases and the urgent need for effective management strategies. To address this, a new special edition of the Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B has been published, offering the first comprehensive collection of peer-reviewed studies on disease management in marine wildlife. This issue, co-edited by researchers from Bigelow Laboratory for Ocean Sciences, Hakai Institute, and the USGS Western Fisheries Research Center, explores emerging pathogens, recent methodological advances, the impact of climate change, and opportunities for ecosystem-based management.
Understanding the Complexities of Marine Diseases
“One theme that stands out in this issue is that it is possible to simultaneously learn about fundamental aspects of the ecology and evolution of infectious marine diseases while also evaluating management opportunities,” said Maya Groner, a Senior Research Scientist at Bigelow Laboratory and a co-editor of the issue. “This approach is critical as changing conditions contribute to increased disease spread.”
Historically, marine disease ecology has lagged behind terrestrial disease studies, limiting resource managers’ ability to track, predict, and manage marine diseases. Few studies have provided management solutions tailored to the ocean’s unique challenges. However, recent advances in genomic and AI tools, along with improvements in ocean modeling, have sparked a renaissance in the field, enabling scientists to better diagnose, characterize, and monitor disease spread.
Advancements in Research and Management
The latest publication builds on a 2016 edition of Philosophical Transactions, which was the first journal issue to broadly focus on marine disease ecology. The new edition showcases significant advancements and highlights the value of integrating traditional epidemiology with novel technologies.
“With the growing awareness of the consequences of major marine disease outbreaks, we are seeing great advances in our ability to quantify and detect disease events across a wide range of species, which is demonstrated in this issue,” said Alyssa Gehman, a PI research scientist at Hakai Institute and co-editor of the issue.
The articles primarily focus on diseases affecting wild populations, which pose logistical, scientific, and financial challenges. Some studies explore threats to aquaculture, such as a deadly virus impacting the oyster industry in Europe and beyond. Others examine broad impacts and strategies to enhance ecosystem resilience, such as coral reefs.
Translating Science into Action
Many of the species studied hold significant economic, ecological, or cultural value, from the iconic American lobster to the sunflower sea star, a keystone predator in kelp forests. The diseases highlighted are often responsive to environmental changes, such as warming temperatures and shifting salinity levels.
Crucially, the issue emphasizes translating scientific discoveries into practical management strategies to mitigate the consequences of high-impact diseases. Topics include molecular tools for identifying emerging diseases, strategies for investigating diseases of unknown origin, approaches for modeling disease drivers in remote ocean areas, and methods for evaluating species reintroduction post-outbreak.
Key takeaways across the studies include the importance of observer networks, efficient information sharing, regular disease monitoring, and proactive screening. These lessons highlight the need for continued funding and collaboration between management agencies and research institutions.
“Collaborations between scientists and resource managers will be essential for efficiently translating knowledge into action,” Groner remarked.
David Paez, a quantitative biologist with the USGS Western Fisheries Research Center and co-editor, added, “The contributions in the issue reflect the benefit of collaborations between managers, industry, and academics for effective response to disease emergencies. While much more work is needed, there is hope that we are slowly building the infrastructure to adequately respond to management needs.”
As marine ecosystems continue to face unprecedented challenges, the insights and strategies outlined in this special issue represent a critical step forward in the fight against marine diseases. The collaboration between scientists and resource managers will be vital in translating this knowledge into actionable solutions that protect both marine life and the communities that depend on it.
