Wildlife officials have issued a warning about a toxic algae bloom affecting marine mammals along the beaches of Los Angeles County. On Monday evening, the city of Hermosa Beach posted an “Urgent Marine Wildlife Alert” on social media platform X, advising beachgoers to maintain a distance of 50 feet from any stranded marine mammals.
The alert follows months of increased strandings of sea lions, dolphins, and other marine mammals, which are suffering from domoic acid poisoning. According to KTLA, domoic acid is a naturally occurring toxin produced by algae, which can be lethal to marine mammals. The Channel Islands Marine and Wildlife Institute (CIMWI) explained that the toxin accumulates in predators like sea lions and dolphins after they consume contaminated fish and shellfish.
The toxic algae bloom is fueled by nutrient-rich waters brought to the surface by upwelling, a process driven by winds along the Southern California coast. This year, a brief marine heatwave may have contributed to the rapid growth of the algae, according to NOAA Fisheries. The neurotoxin can cause severe symptoms in affected animals, including seizures, brain damage, and erratic behavior.
Beachgoers are urged to report sightings of sick marine mammals to the CIMWI Rescue Hotline at 805-567-1505 or the Marine Mammal Care Center rescue hotline at 1-800-39-WHALE. It is crucial to avoid approaching or disturbing these animals to protect both the public and the wildlife.
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