LOS ANGELES, June 20 (Xinhua) -- Harmful algal bloom is causing marine mammal mortalities in Southern California of the United States, according to a local rescue organization.
Sickened marine mammals poisoned by an algal bloom in Southern California waters are overwhelming the Channel Islands Marine & Wildlife Institute (CIMWI), an organization dedicated to positively impacting conservation through marine mammal rescue, rehabilitation, research and education to promote ocean and human health.
CIMWI responds to beached sea lions and other sick mammals, evaluates their condition and attempts to nurse the animals back to health.
There is a large harmful algal bloom off the coast of Santa Barbara and Ventura counties, according to CIMWI.
Domoic acid is a neurotoxin produced by phytoplankton that is making its way up the food chain. The toxin bioaccumulates in the fish that eat algae contaminated with this toxin.
Marine mammals that eat fish containing the toxin have domoic acid poisoning which is causing high mortality rates, according to CIMWI.
