Sick mammals desperate to rest last summer ended up on crowded beaches, where they clashed with beachgoers who got too close. ![]() ![]() While domoic acid doesn't harm shellfish or fish, it can be fatal when ingested by marine mammals. The bloom consisted of an overgrowth of pseudo-nitzschia marine algae, which produces the neurotoxin domoic acid. "I want to make sure that we have the essential resources that we are going to need when this happens again."Īlgae blooms are becoming more common due to climate change, and the one last year was the largest ever recorded in Southern California. "It was a really tragic thing to see," said Council member Traci Park, who introduced the motion and represents District 11, which includes neighborhoods adjacent to the ocean. The motion, which passed Wednesday, also asks the city administrative officer to identify grant opportunities and other funding sources to aid in marine mammal rescue. The council passed a motion this week to request a report from the Department of Animal Services on marine mammal rescue protocols, including a review of how the crisis was handled last summer. Roughly seven months later, the Los Angeles City Council is revisiting the matter, with the goal of becoming better prepared for the next algae bloom. The center quickly filled to capacity, said Chief Executive Officer John Warner, and it became clear there were not enough resources to save every animal. City leaders and residents scrambled to help as the nonprofit Marine Mammal Care Center in San Pedro worked to rescue and rehabilitate ill seals, sea lions and dolphins.
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