Marine mammal rescue organizations have been swamped with reports of sick and dead sea lions and dolphins along the Southern California coast this month, and experts believe a bloom of harmful algae is to blame.
This image provided by Channel Islands Marine and Wildlife Institute, shows a dead seal washed ashore on a beach in Santa Barbara County, Calif., on Tuesday, June 20th, 2023. Numerous sick and dead sea lions and dolphins have been found along the Southern California coast this month and experts believe a bloom of harmful algae is to blame.
Tissue samples have been collected for tests to confirm the animals are victims of domoic acid, a neurotoxin produced by the algae Pseudo-nitzschia, according to NOAA Fisheries. The toxin enters theDomoic acid is also a risk to people who eat crustaceans, fish and shellfish that have accumulated elevated levels, according to the California Department of Public Health. It can be fatal if consumed in high doses.
Berman Kowalewski said the dead dolphin count is “definitely the most number of animals we've seen with a domoic acid event” in her 25 years of work. NOAA Fisheries said ocean monitoring organizations found high concentrations of domoic acid from Orange County north to San Luis Obispo County, but especially in the Santa Barbara Channel off Santa Barbara and Ventura counties.
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