Newport Beach surfers in Southern California had to retreat from the ocean as a brazen sea lion started chasing them on to land. The shocking encounter was filmed and quickly gained a huge following online. As FOX 11 reported, the unpredictable behavior of the sea lion resulted from domoic acid poisoning, an outcome of an enormous toxic algae bloom now affecting marine animals throughout the region.
In video posted by YouTube user DingoSaidSo, chaos erupted on the beach as the confused sea lion repeatedly attacked surfers, sending them fleeing. Even when some attempted to return to the water, the animal attacked again, pushing them back to safety on the sand.
Why did the Sea Lion Behave Aggressively?
The source of the mayhem is a toxic algal bloom that creates domoic acid, a neurotoxin that’s causing havoc on marine animals up and down the California coast. The ‘Marine Mammal Care Center’, a nonprofit facility that’s treating the affected animals has been inundated with the uptick in cases.
“These domoic acid episodes are increasing in size and severity and frequency. That’s terrible. How many more of these species can withstand this kind of abuse and remain with us? That’s the question, and I don’t know the answer to that,” said John Warner, CEO of the Marine Mammal Care Center, during an interview with FOX 11.
Effects of Demonic Acid
Domoic acid induces seizures, disorientation, brain damage, and death in marine mammals. It has also been associated with abnormal and aggressive behavior towards human beings.
“They’re getting thrown at them. Some of the worst things they could possibly endure. And they’re not feeling well,” Warner said.
Another neurotoxin, saxitoxin causing paralytic shellfish poisoning is also thought to be killing marine life. The combined effect is now being witnessed in record dolphin fatalities and even bigger marine mammals. A minke whale was recently discovered dead in Long Beach and a humpback whale in Huntington Beach.
Locals on the Edge
This increasing occurrence is disturbing both scientists and locals alike. A surfer in a FOX 11 interview said, “I see them all the time in the bay when I’m out there fishing in my kayak, and they’ll just come up to you and be peaceful. I wouldn’t feel so comfortable about a sea lion coming up in my kayak right now.”
Marine veterinarians subsequently euthanized the sea lion used in the Newport Beach attack after confirming that it was too ill to survive. The extent of the impact from the toxic bloom measures in the thousands, from San Luis Obispo to San Diego.
The crisis has raised quick calls for monitoring and response, as specialists are concerned about the long-term health of California’s coastal environment.
