Eating Seafood in California Could Lead to Paralysis: Toxic Algae Killing Dolphins and Seals

Divisions of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) — Marine Mammal Care Centers (MMCC) across Southern California are reporting a sharp increase in stranded dolphins and sick seals, likely due to toxic algal blooms off the coast, writes New York Post.

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The Los Angeles-area Marine Mammal Care Center and SeaWorld San Diego said they are caring for dozens of stranded animals, many of which are believed to have fallen victim to Pseudo-nitzschia algae.

According to NOAA, when marine mammals eat shellfish contaminated with toxic algae, the poison accumulates in their bodies, which can lead to seizures, brain damage, and even death.

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“We saw more stranded dolphins (alive and dead) this week than we did in 2023 during the major domoic acid (DA) algae bloom,” MMCC officials said. “Recent tests in Southern California are showing elevated levels of DA-producing algae, and we expect the situation to only get worse in the coming weeks.”

(Domoic acid is a neurotoxin. It accumulates in seafood. When ingested by humans or animals, it causes poisoning. The toxin affects the nervous system. In severe cases, poisoning can be fatal. Domoic acid levels are regularly monitored in commercial seafood to prevent it from entering food. – Note.).

During previous blooms, the neurotoxin did not appear to harm fish or pose a risk to swimmers. However, the public was advised not to approach stranded mammals.

The California Department of Public Health has issued a warning not to eat mussels, clams or scallops caught for sport in Santa Barbara County.

The agency warned that cooking does not destroy the toxin and that a person may experience symptoms such as loss of balance, impaired coordination, slurred speech and difficulty swallowing.

The warning does not apply to commercially harvested shellfish, which are regularly tested for potential toxins.

According to NOAA, significant upwelling of deep waters is contributing to the growth of algae blooms along the coastline.

This phenomenon is often observed in spring and summer, when winds mix colder deep waters with warm surface waters.

While agencies have previously expressed concern about the potential impact of water pollution following recent fires, they believe the current problem is directly related to the Pseudo-nitzschia bloom.

Local residents note that lush flowering usually occurs every 4-7 years, but in recent years it has become more frequent, which can be caused by various factors.

Although domoic acid was only identified in California in 1991, toxic algal blooms along the Pacific coast have increased significantly in recent years. Researchers believe that human activities such as increased fertilizer use, wastewater discharge, and warming waters from climate change are creating conditions in which toxic algae thrive," the center said.

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If you find a stranded marine animal, MMCC advises you to take several steps.

First, stay at least 20 meters away from him to minimize stress. Call the hotline at 1-800-399-4253 and report your location.

Experts warn that the worst thing to do is to try to intervene or push the animal back into the water.

Marine animal experts advise minimizing noise and keeping dogs and large groups of people away from the animals.

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