Harmful algae bloom suspected in hundreds of SoCal marine mammal deaths and illnesses
NBC Los AngelesJun 20, 2023
Toxic Algae Kills Hundreds of Animals on California Coast
Image copyright: Matthew Pablico [via Unsplash]
The Facts
The US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has revealed that the blooming of toxic algae along the Southern Californian coast has caused over 1K marine mammals to become ill or die this month alone.
Ruth Dover, co-founder and managing director of the Channel Islands Marine & Wildlife Institute, stated that the organization is currently managing over 200 reports of marine mammals in distress daily due to what's believed to be the algae Pseudo-Nitzschia.
The Spin
Narrative A
Domoic acid is not an uncommon issue in various areas of the Californian coast, and can often spread rapidly under certain oceanic conditions. The high level of sick mammals being reported indicates a higher concentration of algae offshore than last year, which seemed to affect the sea lion popular closer to land. Samples are being taken by scientists, who hope to understand the toxin's patterns and potentially reveal any further factors.
Narrative B
While a common occurrence, climate change is making toxic outbreaks of algae blooms worse. Although an interplay of different factors makes it difficult for the data to be pinned down, the issue of rising water temperatures cannot be ignored. With continued warming, algae bloom more harmfully and aggressively than previously witnessed and may potentially become commonplace across different global regions.