Thursday March 27, 2025
Santa Barbara Independent —
Waves of poisoned animals are washing up across the Central Coast, marking the fourth year in a row that toxic algae blooms have led to a mass die-off of marine mammals.
Domoic acid, a potent neurotoxin produced by algae, has been killing sea lions and dolphins along California’s coastline for years. However, large toxic algal blooms are becoming more frequent, causing recent spikes in domoic acid deaths.
Reports of animals suffering from domoic acid poisoning on Santa Barbara County beaches are flooding local marine wildlife organizations — including the Channel Islands Marine Wildlife Institute (CIMWI) and the Channel Islands Cestacean Research Unit (CICRU). These animals, if alive, exhibit symptoms such as disorientation, foaming at the mouth, and seizures.
One “feral” sea lion even attacked a surfer off Ventura County on Friday, according to the L.A. Times. The surfer, RJ LaMendola, said the animal bit him and dragged him off his surfboard. When he later contacted CIMWI, they told him it was likely due to domoic acid poisoning.