California sea lions and Otters Provide First Warning of Unhealthy Pacific Ocean Food Sources

The Marine Mammal Center continues its domoic acid toxicity study to increase marine mammal survival rates.

(SAUSALITO, Calif. – April 29, 2004): The Marine Mammal Center (http://www.marinemammalcenter.org) a non-profit marine mammal hospital, rescue and research facility, continues its disease studies on domoic acid toxicity, to learn the long-term neurological effects of past exposure on California sea lions. The Center hopes to gain knowledge on how best to treat lesions associated with the toxin, in order to increase the animals' survival back into the wild.

Domoic acid is a type of poison produced by harmful algae blooms. Anchovies, sardines and other shellfish are exposed to the poison and then ingested by marine mammals. This affected seafood can cause seizures and death in animals, and in humans. It's believed that domoic acid may be the recent cause of illness, and in some cases, death of approximately 20 California sea otters in the Morro Bay area.

Domoic acid toxicity was first diagnosed in 1998 in 70 California sea lion that were admitted to The Center. Since then, more species, such as otters, harbor seals, porpoises and dolphins, have also been affected by domoic acid. In addition, the poison now occurs throughout the year, and has been found in water all along the California coastline, from San Francisco south.

"We are currently conducting MRIs on California sea lions affected by domoic acid to note neurological changes," said Marine Mammal Center veterinarian Dr. Frances Gulland. "We are also tagging affected animals to monitor their survival in the wild once they are released. We know that domoic acid can cause considerable harm. We've even found it in fetal stomach fluid and amniotic fluid of pregnant adult California sea lions, proving that domoic acid can cross the placenta and result in reproductive failure."

In 2003, 66 animals were diagnosed with domoic acid poisoning at The Center. Because staff veterinarians are now more able to quickly identify the problem and begin care, the survival rate has risen to 68%.

The Marine Mammal Center is a non-profit hospital dedicated to the rescue and rehabilitation of wild marine mammals that are ill, injured or orphaned, along 600 miles of northern and central California coastline. Since 1975, The Center has worked with over 10,000 California sea lions, elephant seals, sea otters, harbor seals and other marine life. It uniquely combines its rehabilitation program with scientific discovery and education programs throughout the Bay Area and the world, to advance the understanding of marine mammal health, ocean health and to promote conservation.




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