(Image Credit: IMAGN) PROVINCETOWN 04/13/24 A mud splattered IFAW team guides one of five common dolphins down to the water's edge for release at Herring Cove Beach in Provincetown. Seven of the dolphins stranded on the morning low tide in Wellfleet Harbor on Saturday. Five were pulled from the muck alive and rehabbed before their release. Two were found dead. Steve Heaslip/Cape Cod Times
Los Angeles, California – Southern California’s beaches are seeing an alarming number of stranded marine mammals, and experts warn the crisis is only getting worse. A toxic algal bloom, producing high levels of domoic acid (DA), has left sea lions and dolphins sick, disoriented, and in some cases, dead along the coastline.
“This week, we saw more stranded dolphins (both alive and deceased) than we saw during the major domoic acid bloom in 2023,” the Marine Mammal Care Center (MMCC) Los Angeles reported on Facebook.
Recent testing confirms that DA-producing algae levels are spiking, and officials anticipate an even greater impact in the coming weeks. The toxin, produced by certain types of algae, accumulates in fish and shellfish, poisoning marine mammals that consume them. Affected animals often suffer from seizures, disorientation, and aggressive behavior before becoming stranded on the shore.
If you come across a sick or stranded marine animal, experts strongly urge you not to intervene. While it may be tempting to help, approaching distressed dolphins or sea lions can be dangerous.
“They can become aggressive upon awakening from a seizure,” MMCC officials warned. “This is a safety issue for people and their pets as much as it is for the marine mammals.”
Another crucial rule: Do not push stranded dolphins back into the ocean. While it may seem like a rescue, it actually reduces their chances of survival by preventing proper treatment. Instead, MMCC advises notifying a lifeguard or calling 1-800-39-WHALE to report the situation.
The relentless wave of sick marine life has stretched MMCC’s resources thin. Staff and volunteers are working around the clock to respond to calls and care for as many animals as possible, but the increasing number of cases is putting a strain on both manpower and finances.
“Our team is working heroically to respond to every call and to rescue every animal they can,” MMCC stated. To support their life-saving efforts, they encourage the public to donate at marinemammalcare.org/donate.
With DA levels continuing to rise, the crisis shows no signs of slowing down. Scientists are monitoring the situation, but for now, the best way to help is by staying informed, spreading awareness, and supporting organizations on the front lines of marine mammal rescue.
For those hitting the beach, remember: if you see a sick or stranded animal, keep your distance, notify a lifeguard, and call 1-800-39-WHALE to report it.
