Marine mammal care centers along the Southern California coast have recently faced a challenging situation as they worked tirelessly to rescue and treat sea lions and dolphins affected by a toxic algae bloom. The leaders of these centers believe that the crisis has highlighted the need for greater collaboration between nonprofits and local municipalities in order to address environmental and public safety emergencies effectively.
According to John Warner, CEO of the Marine Mammal Care Center Los Angeles, the severity of this crisis went beyond the impact on the sick and dying animals. It also posed a significant public safety risk, with animals appearing in front of crowds of people while experiencing seizures or giving birth. The situation was both horrifying and dangerous.
Fortunately, thanks to the care provided at the Marine Mammal Center Los Angeles in San Pedro, sea lions that fell ill due to the toxic algae bloom have now recovered. In a positive development, two sea lions were recently released back into the ocean in Marina del Rey on August 10, 2023, marking a significant milestone in their rehabilitation journey.
The care center celebrated the recovery and release of several sea lions that were rescued and treated for domoic acid, a neurological toxin found in smaller fish that had consumed the toxic bloom. The staff at various care centers, including the MMCLA, the Pacific Marine Mammal Rescue Center in Laguna Beach, and the Channel Islands Marine & Wildlife Institute in Santa Barbara County, have noticed a decline in neurological impairments observed in animals currently found on Southern California beaches. In June and July, a large number of animals experienced symptoms such as seizures, premature births, disorientation, and lethargy. Unfortunately, some cases led to irreversible brain damage and death.
The crisis initially affected Santa Barbara and Ventura counties, but it eventually spread to Los Angeles, Orange, and San Diego counties. The care centers faced challenges in accommodating the influx of animals, and their staff and volunteers worked tirelessly, often enduring 18-hour shifts. Additional space was created at the San Pedro center, and the visitor yard at the Laguna Beach center was repurposed to handle the volume of animals. The MMCLA alone took in 120 live patients and responded to twice that number. While around 100 animals were documented as dead on the beaches, the mortality rate was approximately 30%.
The spike in patients occurred unexpectedly during this time of year, resulting in significant costs for care and treatment. MMCLA spent nearly $500,000 on treating the sick animals, while PMMC reported rehabilitation costs amounting to $125,000. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration estimated that over 1,000 sea lions and more than 100 dolphins were affected by the toxin.
Clarissa Anderson, director of the Southern California Coastal Ocean Observing System, explained that the toxic bloom, initially believed to have originated far off the coast, may have been a combination of high levels of domoic acid and anchovy feeding occurring in specific locations. Algae samples taken nearshore off Santa Monica and Newport Beach revealed the presence of toxins, suggesting that the bloom may have circulated back to the shore after being blown offshore.
Although the Southern California bloom seems to have subsided, similar species are now being observed in higher numbers along the San Luis Obispo coastline further north. The Marine Mammal Center in Sausalito has not reported any recent cases of toxic symptoms. However, in June, they did encounter around 10 cases in Monterey County. The future development of a massive bloom remains uncertain.
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