Toxic Algae Bloom Kills Hundreds of Sea Lions and Dolphins on Southern California Coast

Marine mammal rescue organizations have reported hundreds of sick and dead sea lions and dolphins along the Southern California coast this month, with experts blaming a bloom of harmful algae. The algae produces domoic acid, a neurotoxin that enters the food chain and sickens marine mammals as they eat prey. Tissue samples have been collected for tests to confirm the animals are victims of domoic acid, which is also a risk to people who eat crustaceans, fish, and shellfish that have accumulated elevated levels. The current outbreak is unusually severe, with high concentrations of domoic acid found from Orange County north to San Luis Obispo County, but especially in the Santa Barbara Channel off Santa Barbara and Ventura counties.