Introduction to the Crisis
A toxin released by one of the largest algae blooms on record off the Southern California coast was linked to the deaths of a humpback whale in Huntington Beach and a minke whale in Long Beach. The findings released by the Pacific Marine Mammal Center follow necropsy results on the two whales, who are among the thousands of marine animals sickened or killed by a domoic acid outbreak on the Southern California coast.
What to Know
- Necropsies on two whales found stranded and dead on the Southern California coast revealed a link to a domoic acid outbreak on the Southern California coast.
- The toxin released by one of the largest algae blooms on record off the coast has sickened or killed thousands of marine animals, including birds, sea lions, common dolphins and more.
- Wildlife experts say the whale deaths are "deeply telling" about the scope and severity of the worsening algae blooms.
- The toxic algae bloom that spread in coastal waters from San Luis Obispo to San Diego has been labeled an extreme danger zone by health and environmental groups.
The Necropsy Results
The necropsy results emphasize the scope and urgency of the problem along the coast, wildlife experts said. "Each of these whale deaths is heartbreaking—and also deeply telling," said Keith Matassa, CEO and Founder of the Ocean Animal Response & Research Alliance (OARRA). "Whales are sentinels of ocean health, and their suffering signals a larger ecological imbalance driven by intensifying harmful algal blooms. These events are no longer isolated—they’re increasing in scope, scale, frequency, and severity. OARRA is at the forefront of marine mammal mortality response, working alongside partners to investigate, document, and better understand the impacts of these toxic events. We must listen to what the ocean is telling us and act decisively to support long-term monitoring, research, and collaborative response efforts."
The Impact on Marine Life
The female humpback whale was stranded dead on Jan. 24 in Huntington Beach. On April 6, the subadult minke whale was stranded after what the Pacific Marine Mammal Center said was abnormal swimming behavior for days in the Port of Long Beach. The minke whale drew a crowd to Long Beach’s harbor waters in early April near a Catalina Express dock in the Shoreline Marina. Harbor crews used booms in the water in an effort to guide the whale back toward the open ocean, but it was later found stranded.
The Cause of Death
Test results of the juvenile humpback and subadult minke confirmed high levels of domoic acid, a potent and deadly neurotoxin produced by harmful algal blooms. The necropsies involve examinations of the whales’ feces, stomach contents and urine to determine what likely led to their deaths. "These findings support domoic acid toxicosis as the cause of death," the Center said in a news release. "Like sea lions and dolphins, humpback and minke whales feed on small schooling fish such as sardines and anchovies, which are known to accumulate domoic acid. The new results reveal how the domoic acid event is reverberating through the marine food web, affecting more species as it continues. This is the fourth consecutive year with a domoic acid outbreak off Southern California, with this event beginning earlier and remaining more severe than experts have seen before."
The Bigger Picture
The toxic algae bloom that spread in coastal waters from San Luis Obispo to San Diego has been labeled an extreme danger zone by health and environmental groups. A map from the Southern California Coastal Ocean Observing System shows where the high amount of domoic acid at the center of the toxic algae bloom is spreading along the California coast. "Seventeen years of surveillance by NOAA’s Northwest Fisheries Science Center/Wildlife Algal-toxins Research and Response Network show that harmful algal blooms and their toxins are becoming more frequent, severe, and long-lasting, especially with warming ocean conditions," said Dr. Kathi Lefebvre, NOAA Research Biologist. "Marine mammal toxin exposures have increased significantly in the past two decades."
Conclusion
The deaths of the two whales are a stark reminder of the devastating impact of the toxic algae bloom on marine life in Southern California. The necropsy results confirm that the domoic acid outbreak is the cause of death, and the scale of the mortality raises serious concerns about ocean health. It is essential to take immediate action to address the root causes of the algae bloom, including debris from wildfires and fertilizer runoff, to prevent further harm to marine life.
FAQs
- What is domoic acid?
Domoic acid is a potent and deadly neurotoxin produced by harmful algal blooms. - What is the cause of the toxic algae bloom?
The exact cause of the toxic algae bloom is not yet known, but debris from wildfires and fertilizer runoff are suspected to be contributing factors. - How many marine animals have been affected by the domoic acid outbreak?
Thousands of marine animals, including birds, sea lions, common dolphins, and whales, have been sickened or killed by the domoic acid outbreak. - What can be done to prevent further harm to marine life?
Immediate action must be taken to address the root causes of the algae bloom, including debris from wildfires and fertilizer runoff, to prevent further harm to marine life.
