Toxic algae is sickening hundreds of dolphins, sea lions. What CA beachgoers should know
Toxic algae blooms off the coast of Southern California are causing hundreds of sick and dead sea lions and dolphins to wash ashore, experts say.
The animals get sick after consuming toxic algae, known as Pseudo-nitzschia, Valerie Hill, the development and science director at Roundhouse Aquarium, told McClatchy News.
While naturally occurring, it’s not clear what causes larger blooms of Pseudo-nitzschia in some years more than in others, Hill said.
“The majority of phytoplankton, the tiny algae out there, do not produce what we call these harmful algal blooms,” Hill said.
The harmful blooms, however, produce the neurotoxin domoic acid, according to Hill.
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Fisheries said in a June 16 news release that high concentrations of domoic acid have been found “from Orange County north to San Luis Obispo County.”
“This domoic acid then makes its way up the food chain,” Hill said.
Smaller animals, like fish or clams, eat the algae, Hill said. Those animals are then eaten by marine mammals, like dolphins and sea lions.
“When they ingest that toxin, it can have some detrimental effects,” like seizures, permanent brain damage and heart failure, according to Hill.
“It’s a neurotoxin in animals,” Hill said, “so it really does actually make them go crazy, which is why it’s super important to stay away from any marine animals on the beach.”
Animals sickened by domoic acid can act aggressively, according to the Marine Mammal Care Center Los Angeles, which said it is caring for more than 50 marine animals sickened by the neurotoxin.
The nonprofit advises beachgoers to stay 50 feet away from stranded marine animals.
If you find a sick animal on the beach, Hill said it’s best to find a nearby lifeguard who will know which agency to contact to get help for the animal.
“Hopefully, if it’s caught soon enough, the various marine mammal rescue places can help nurse the animal back to good health,” Hill said.
While beachgoers should be cautious around marine animals, Hill said “your regular beachgoer,” should not worry about being affected by the toxic algae bloom.
“Swimming is fine. You know, breathing in ocean air is fine,” Hill said. “It really comes down to knowing where your seafood is coming from.”
The toxic algae would only be harmful to humans if they were to eat seafood, like smaller fish and clams, that has ingested Pseudo-nitzschia, according to Hill.
“Again, the regular beachgoer should be just fine,” Hill said.
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