Dolphins, sea lions found dead in numbers, showing abnormal behaviour on coastlines: What’s happening?
2 min read 02 Jul 2023, 07:39 AM ISTOver 1,000 calls have been made to authorities regarding the distressed marine mammals. The California Department of Health has issued a warning against consuming certain seafood due to elevated toxin levels.
PremiumThe coastlines of Southern California are witnessing a distressing scene as numerous sea lions and dolphins have been discovered either deceased or unwell, displaying abnormal behaviour.
Recent reports from CNN reveal that authorities have received over 1,000 calls in the past few weeks regarding sick, dying, and dead marine mammals found washed ashore from Santa Barbara to San Diego County. This disconcerting situation is believed to be linked to a pervasive toxic algal bloom proliferating in the coastal waters.
According to Justin Greenman, a stranding coordinator with NOAA Fisheries, the number of deceased or ailing animals is one of the largest seen in memory and is overwhelming for experts. Regrettably, there seems to be no immediate end in sight to this distressing occurrence.
Greenman told CNN that the wave of dead or sick animals is "one of the largest in memory". "It's completely overwhelming," he said.
Scientists specialising in marine life have identified the harmful algal bloom as the probable cause, although they are awaiting test results to confirm this hypothesis.
The alga responsible, known as Pseudo-Nietzsche, produces a neurotoxin called domoic acid. This toxin can be detrimental to seabirds and fish upon ingestion, subsequently working its way up the food chain to affect larger marine creatures like dolphins, sea lions, and, potentially, humans.
While seafood is carefully tested to prevent contamination, humans can still fall ill if they consume food tainted with domoic acid. In light of this, the California Department of Health issued a specific warning against consuming "sport-harvested mussels, clams, or scallops from Santa Barbara County" due to elevated toxin levels.
The Channel Islands Marine and Wildlife Institute, led by co-founder and managing director Ruth Dover, has been actively responding to the crisis. They have encountered more than 100 deceased sea lions and 300 live sea lions displaying symptoms of domoic acid ingestion in Santa Barbara and Ventura counties.
In a similarly-distressing turn, the death toll for dolphins has now reached 100, an unusually high number. Greenman remarked on the extraordinary aspect of this algal bloom affecting species that typically inhabit more distant waters, ANI reported.
The situation remains concerning as experts continue to monitor and investigate the extent of the toxic algal bloom and its impact on marine life in Southern California. Efforts are underway to better understand and mitigate this unfortunate phenomenon, ensuring the safety and well-being of both wildlife and humans in the region.
(With ANI inputs)
