Along the Southern California coast, marine wildlife is facing growing challenges due to an uptick in toxic algal blooms. Sea lions, dolphins, elephant seals, and seabirds are increasingly turning up disoriented or ill after being exposed to neurotoxins produced by these blooms. Fueled by factors such as upwelling, warming ocean temperatures, and storm runoff, the frequency and severity of toxic bloom events are on the rise—disrupting the food chain and straining coastal rescue and rehabilitation centers. Contaminants from wildfire debris further exacerbate these impacts, adding to the pressures marine wildlife already face.
These harmful bloom events, largely caused by diatoms in the Pseudo-nitzschia genus, produce domoic acid—a naturally occurring neurotoxin. While the toxin doesn’t harm the small zooplankton that feed on the algae directly, it accumulates in small invertebrates and fishlike sardines and anchovies. When marine mammals and seabirds in higher trophic levels feed on these fish, they ingest dangerous levels of the toxin, which can cause seizures, disorientation, vomiting, and ultimately, death if not treated quickly.
In the past, these outbreaks were rare—occurring once every several years. But according to Jenn, a responder with the California Wildlife Center (CWC), that timeline seems to have shortened significantly. She explained that they used to be sporadic, but now we’re seeing multiple events within just a few years. The last four years alone have each had a major bloom event.
During our recent visit to CWC, a sea lion recovering from domoic acid poisoning was sedated and receiving fluids. The facility’s marine response team is working on a robust database to track marine wildlife stranding events such as those caused by toxic algal bloom across Southern California, with the goal of eventually expanding this vital tracking system nationwide.
Just south, the Marine Mammal Care Center Los Angeles has been in emergency mode since February 20, 2025, responding to record numbers of sea lions and dolphins stranding with symptoms of domoic acid toxicosis. This year’s bloom is already worse than the 2023 event—and the animals keep coming.
Greater Good Charities is helping partners on the ground meet this moment with the resources they need: emergency veterinary care, food, transport, and supplies. A new industrial freezer was delivered to support care for incoming patients—including one of the season’s first Northern Elephant Seal pups.
The pup, nicknamed “Green,” was found hiding between two rocks on Broad Beach, dangerously underweight and disoriented. Thankfully, a beachgoer knew to call for help. The young seal needed to receive round-the-clock care—rehydration, tube-feeding, and eventually fish training. The freezer and 800 lbs of Pacific herring, lost during a wildfire-induced power outage, arrived just in time to aid in her recovery.
These animals are vital to ocean ecosystems—and they need our help more than ever. According to The New York Times, this current toxic bloom has already resulted in hundreds of dead animals along the California coast, from San Diego to Monterey. And many more will strand in the weeks to come.
Greater Good Charities, in partnership with frontline rescue centers like CWC and the Marine Mammal Care Center, is committed to providing lifesaving aid to animals suffering from domoic acid toxicity and other effects of environmental disruption. With your support, we can deliver emergency food, medical care, and diagnostic tools—and help these incredible animals get a second chance.