Food Poisoning Kills Hundreds of Sea Animals

State officials and health authorities have issued a warning consumers and fishermen about consuming and selling some varieties of shellfish and fish. The quarantine was issued on locally harvested lobster, sardines, mussels and other mollusks. The quarantine is the result of an excessive algae bloom off shore which causes a type of food poisoning in all sea creatures who ingest the algae. Other sea animals have also been sickened due to eating the creatures who have died of the algae bloom toxicity. This warning extends up the coast of Southern California and to all commercial and non-commercial fishermen. The warning also extends up the coast to include Los Angeles, Ventura, Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo counties.

Hundreds of dead and dying sea birds and other sea life have been washing up onto the shores from San Diego all the way up to San Fransisco bay areas. Rescuers have been using up all available resources trying to rescue and treat sick and surviving creatures since this last weekend when the effect of the toxic bloom became apparent. The illnesses and deaths are caused by a toxin called domoic acid, that is produced by blooming diatoms or algae at certain times of the year. The current conditions are being caused by the worst bloom in years stated some officials. Toxin levels are on par with what was called the worst recent outbreak recalled back in 2002-2003 when an outbreak of the poisoning sickened and killed more than 1000 sea lions and 50 dolphins.

The water is still considered safe for surfers and swimmers since it is only toxic when consumed by sea life or mammals and in large concentrations claims an official of the Department of Health Services. The current quarantine does not include popular sea and sport fish such as tuna and halibut. Some fishermen are still wary of consuming their catch. There have been seven pelicans and several other dead birds found dead and dying off of the Newport Beach coast. Unlike the past several years, the speed and severity of the algae bloom poisoning this year has hit overly hard. Rescue groups and other workers have been overwhelmed with the sheer numbers of creatures to be attended to.One worker claimed that usually they are given some warning and can stop the illness in its tracks with a treatment regimen. "This year the animals aren't arriving ill, they are just washing up dead" said one environmentalist. One of the hardest hit creatures this season to be affected is the sea lion. Many have been in the care of The Pacific Marine Mammal Center in Laguna Beach. Some of the sea lions have died during the course of treatment.

Scientists have wondered if the earlier and more severe algae blooms and higher and more severe toxicity can be related to Global Warming. The blooming of the sea algae can be triggered by warming waters and other factors that erupt near the water's surface. The algae releases the acidic diatoms which in turn release the toxic domoic acid into the waters. Clams, mussels and other shellfish consume the diatomes which leads to the concentration of domoic acids. The shellfish along with sardine and anchovy also become toxic and are in turn eaten by larger creatures which use the small creatures as a source of food. The birds, sea lion and dolphin also are affected by the contaminated smaller fish and become sick. Scientists had noticed an increase in algae bloom off the coast in San Luis Obispo as early as this last March and warned that the condition is spreading southward.