Hundreds Of Dying Dolphins And Whales Strand Amid Toxic Algae Bloom

LOS ANGELES, CA — Hundreds of sick and dying dolphins, sea lions and whales have been washing up on the Southern California shoreline in what environmental groups are now labeling an 'extreme danger zone' for marine mammals.

According to the marine life experts and first responders, the ongoing toxic algae bloom in coastal waters from San Luis Obispo to San Diego has been deadlier than any previous year. Particularly alarming are the number of dolphins stranding themselves along the Southern California coastline. Federal authorities estimate that hundreds of dead or dying dolphins have washed up on the SoCal coast so far this year. Marine mammal rescue groups have been attempting to save them, but most of the dolphins have been too sick to survive, said Jake Miller, Ocean Lifeguard specialist, Los Angeles County Fire Department.

The marine mammals are stranding themselves on the verge of death with domoic acid poisoning, he said. Authorities believe runoff and debris from the wildfires may be contributing to the toxic algae spread. Small fish eat the algae and are, in turn, eaten by larger marine mammals, causing the toxic overdoses.

There have been more than 50 dead and dying dolphins found along the Los Angeles County coast in one week, and 16 discovered in San Diego in a single April day, according to the NOAA Fisheries’ Southwest Fisheries Science Center.

Miller's team recently tried to save several of the dying dolphins.

"I think we had over six to eight dolphins in the last week that have come ashore, in addition to a large number of sea lion and seals every day," Miller recently told Patch. "We'll notify marine animal rescue pick-up for rehabilitation. Unfortunately, the sea lion and seals take to rehab much better than dolphins do."

"This year seems to be one of the worst years," he said. "We are definitely are seeing more this year than past years, for sure. For the most part, any dolphins that are coming ashore are already deceased or very close to it and are not making it."

Miller urges beachgoers who encounter a sick dolphin or sea lion to contact the nearest lifeguard or call the Pacific Marine Mammal Care Center at 1-800-39-WHALE for rescue assistance.

This year has been Southern California's fourth straight year with toxic algae bloom.

"The stranding team from NOAA Fisheries’ Southwest Fisheries Science Center recovered 16 dead dolphins from San Diego beaches on Sunday, April 20. These deaths add to the likely toll of a domoic acid outbreak produced by a harmful algae bloom off Southern California," the center reported. "Most of the dolphins were already dead when responders arrived, or died shortly afterwards. None survived long enough for treatment. Most were adult male long-beaked common dolphins with a few short-beaked common dolphins. Two were pregnant females."

Of the 14 dolphins tested by the center so far, 11 have had high levels of domoic acid, the Southwest Fisheries Science Center found.

The Pacific Marine Mammal Care Center is warning people not to approach sickened sea lions and dolphins.

"While it is always dangerous to approach a marine mammal on the beach, sea lions affected by domoic acid can be especially aggressive, often awakening from a seizure with little notice," the center warned on Facebook. "This is a safety issue for people and their pets as much as it is for the marine mammals. Do not push stranded dolphins back into the water as this can actually reduce their chances of survival."