Two whales, along with dolphins and sea lions, recently washed ashore in Long Beach, the latest victims of a toxic domoic acid outbreak caused by a harmful algal bloom spreading along the Southern California coast. The marine life deaths come just weeks after more than 50 sea lions were found sick from the same toxin in late February near Malibu, raising concerns among wildlife experts about the growing impact of the bloom.
Test results of the beached humpback whale confirm that high levels of domoic acid were present in the whale at the time of death. The acid is caused by naturally occurring algae blooms, but causes seizures and heart failure as it accumulates in shellfish and poisons predators when digested. A severe neurotoxin, the whale’s official cause of death was ruled domoic acid toxicosis.
“It’s disheartening to see animals in a state of confusion and panic, but what’s even worse is that they are dying from the outbreak,” AP Environmental Science junior Kimaya Matai said.
Domoic acid outbreaks have become more common and severe in Southern California as their toxins thrive in warmer ocean temperatures. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has seen increases in domoic acid toxicity, which acts as steroids for sealife, in Los Angeles County since February. Facilities are struggling to keep up as they continue to face resource and space barriers.
“It was an unusual sight and I hope it doesn’t happen as frequently as it is right now,” sophomore Kylee Yeh said after going to the beach soon after marine life washed ashore. “People need to realize the severity of global warming and how it affects sea life.”
Marine scientists are usually accustomed to seeing domoic acid outbreaks in the summer when the waters are warmer, but levels began to rise in the winter. According to oceanographer Clarissa Anderson from the University of California San Diego, it is likely that washed-ashore and sickened animals will become the norm with global warming climbing to unprecedented levels.
“Because of global warming, we’re all going to experience worse natural disasters,” Matai said. “It’s not something in the future, it’s happening now.”
Because high algal levels were present before the 2025 Southern California wildfires, officials cannot definitively link the domoic acid outbreak to the fires. Yet, post-fire conditions may have contributed to its intensity. According to Heal the Bay researchers, high winds cause nutrient upwelling and push surface waters away for nutrient-dense waters to rise, potentially allowing the outbreak to be significantly more harmful. In one such case, wildfire ash was proven to generate marine ecosystems with iron, increasing algal proliferation.
Across the southern coastline, sick marine animals are showing up in greater numbers due to toxin exposure, sparking concern for beach cities like Manhattan Beach. Disoriented sea lions become more hostile, while dolphins face even greater consequences as domoic acid proves to be fatal for them.
“As the outbreaks get worse and worse each year, I think we should take this as a sign that we need to do our part as a way of curbing climate change and the death of these animals,” said Matai.
Since February, SeaWorld San Diego has rescued over 100 animals from domoic acid poisoning. Some of the animals, including birds, sea lions and dolphins, were actively seizing or dead on arrival. Rescue facilities have rescued over 1,000 animals and attempted fluid therapy to flush out toxins.
“The fires earlier this year and now the domoic acid outbreak are just reminders that environmental disasters will persist as we continue to bring damage to our earth,” said Yeh.
Concerns have escalated to the point where some lifeguards are now taking mental health breaks, overwhelmed by the emotional toll of repeatedly witnessing animals wash up dead or dying along the shore.
“Even if this doesn’t negatively impact us directly, it’s always hard to see other communities suffer from these kinds of weather events,” Matai said. “Especially when I know that my actions contributed to the environment and allowed these climate disasters to occur.”
