A wave of sick sea lions are washing up along the California coast with symptoms of algae poisoning, experts say.
The Marine Mammal Center in Sausalito has responded to 90 sick sea lions in San Luis Obispo County since July 29, and nearly 30 percent of the animals they helped have died.
Experts have discovered that sea lions are suffering from domoic acid poisoning, a neurotoxin that affects the brain and heart, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration).
The strong upwelling of nutrient-laden water from the depths of the ocean is causing a proliferation of harmful algae.
“Sadly, many animals die on the beach before we have a chance to rescue them. This indicates a high level of exposure to domoic acid,” said Ruth Dover, CEO of the Channel Islands Marine and Wildlife Institute.
A wave of sick sea lions are washing up along the California coast with symptoms of algae poisoning.
Experts have discovered that sea lions are suffering from domoic acid poisoning, a neurotoxin that affects the brain and heart.
The Channel Islands group said they are receiving about 100 calls a day about sick marine mammals and have rescued 45 sea lions in the first 10 days of the outbreak.
“The good news is that people realize something is wrong and know who to call,” Dover said. “The bad news is that many of these animals are suffering greatly.”
“This is especially worrying because these blooms used to not be an annual event.”
The strong upwelling that causes algal blooms is a common phenomenon between spring and summer, driven by winds that help draw cold water from the depths of the ocean along the coast.
Hundreds of sea lions and dozens of dolphins were killed along the Southern California coast by domoic acid last year.
This year’s brief local marine heatwave that warmed coastal waters for the first time may have spurred rapid algae growth, according to NOAA researchers.
Domoic acid, a neurotoxin produced by the algae Pseudo-nitzschia, enters the food chain and makes marine mammals sick when they eat their prey.
Satellite maps of the California coast show the upwelling of cooler-than-usual waters that provide ideal growth conditions for toxin-producing algae.
Teams rescue affected sea lions and take them to a rehabilitation center, but for many their condition may be too advanced to help.
“Upwelling helps make the California coast such a rich ecosystem, but in this case there’s another effect that we see on marine mammals,” said Clarissa Anderson, executive director of the Southern California Coastal Ocean Observing Network.
Satellite maps of the California coast show the upwelling of cooler-than-normal waters that provide ideal conditions for the growth of toxin-producing algae.
“The levels we’re finding inside these animals are off the charts,” said Giancarlo Rulli, a spokesman for the Sausalito-based Marine Mammal Center. Los Angeles Times‘All hands on deck.’
Teams rescue affected sea lions and take them to a rehabilitation center, but for many, their condition may be too advanced to respond to treatment and they must be euthanized.
NOAA recommends that beachgoers and their pets stay a safe distance from affected animals on shore and report them.
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