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Sea lions and dolphins are dying due to an oceanic toxin

Date: 20 Apr 2002
From: ProMED-mail <promed@promedmail.org>
Source: The Orange County Register, 20 Apr 2002 [edited]
<http://www.ocregister.com/news/sealion0a0420cci1.shtml>

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Friday [19 Apr 2002] 6 sea lions washed ashore in Orange County as the effects of an ocean toxin spread down the Pacific coast, leaving a wake of 50 dolphins and 87 sea lions dead or mortally ill, and prompting the state to halt mussel collecting.

The epidemic started in early March 2002 and spread south from San Luis Obispo and Monterey Bay, where health officials on 11 Apr 2002 banned human consumption of mussels, anchovies, and sardines.

Sea lions and dolphins began washing ashore in larger than usual numbers in Orange County on Wednesday -- 6 that day, 7 on Thursday, and 6 more on Friday. All were adult females: most were pregnant and lost their pups. One died; the others are in critical condition.

The animals were disoriented, foaming at the mouth as they lay in the waves, thrashing with seizures. Marine biologists attribute the illnesses and death to domoic acid, a toxin released by a form of seagoing algae. The number of sea lions washing ashore is unusually high for Southern California -- marine mammal centers in Laguna Beach, San Pedro and San Diego usually report getting 1 to 3 pups a week.

But it is the dolphin deaths that marine biologists are talking about. "This will be the first documented effect on common dolphins, if that turns out to be the source," said wildlife biologist Joe Cordaro of the National Marine Fisheries Service. Veterinarians say the mammals' chances of survival depend on the amount of poison ingested and how quickly they can receive help.

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