Vandenberg Space Force Base, Calif. -- The environmental team at VSFB has reported a significant uptick in California sea lion strandings at Surf Beach and other nearby beaches, both on and off base. The team has been actively monitoring the situation since the first sighting on July 19, and signs point to domoic acid poisoning as the cause.
Sea lions may become aggressive if provoked. The toxin can cause severe inflammation and brain damage in sea lions, and if consumed in high doses, it can also affect humans.
"Domoic acid poisoning occurs when algae blooms, known as red tides, produce toxins that are ingested by fish and then travel up the food chain to sea lions," explained Tiffany Whitsitt-Odell, Natural Resources Program Manager at the 30th Civil Engineer Squadron. "Affected sea lions may appear lethargic and disoriented, and exhibit head bobbing and weaving, muscle spasms, seizures, foaming at the mouth, eye bulging, inability to feed, and unresponsiveness."
To ensure public safety and the well-being of marine mammals, visitors to the beach are advised to follow these guidelines:
- Maintain a minimum distance of 50 feet (approximately one school bus length) from all marine mammals.
- Do not enter areas closed for plover protection to access marine mammals. Biologists are conducting assessments in these areas.
- Avoid touching, feeding, harassing, covering, pouring water on, allowing dogs near, coaxing, dragging, or pushing marine mammals into or out of the water.
- Refrain from taking selfies with stranded sea lions.
"We are currently collaborating with stranding network partners including Channel Islands Marine and Wildlife Institute (CIMWI), National Marine Fisheries Service, and The Marine Mammal Center to respond to individual animals and complete testing to confirm domoic acid poisoning," Whitsitt-Odell added. "Younger animals have some potential for rehabilitation, but primarily, we leave the animals where they are and monitor them."
The VSFB environmental team continues to monitor the situation closely and is placing signs as appropriate in areas open for public recreation to inform and protect beachgoers.
If you encounter a sea lion that you suspect may be suffering from domoic acid poisoning, please contact CIMWI at 805-567-1505 for distressed sea lions at Surf beach, and LE Desk at 805-606-3911 for distressed sea lions at on-base beaches.
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