As dead or ill whales, dolphins, sea lions and other animals end up stranded on Los Angeles County beaches since the start of this year because of toxic algae, the Board of Supervisors boosted funding Tuesday for a facility that cares for and rehabilitates sick marine mammals.
Supervisors allocated $100,000 to the Marine Mammal Care Center in San Pedro for medical services, with possibly another $600,000 to help the nonprofit deal with the hundreds of animals affected by this year’s algae bloom that carries toxic domoic acid.
“From Malibu to Long Beach, high numbers of sea lions and other marine mammals are stranding on Los Angeles County beaches due to domoic acid toxicosis,” according to a motion by Supervisors Lindsey Horvath and Janice Hahn. “Domoic acid is a naturally occurring neurotoxin produced by algae that accumulates in fish such as sardines and anchovies, which are then consumed by marine mammals, leading to severe neurological symptoms.”
The toxin can cause seizures, aggressive behavior, lethargy, dehydration, vomiting and death in many types of marine mammals and seabirds, the motion reported.
Horvath said this year’s toxic event was worse than 2023’s algae bloom, calling it “not only a sustainability and environmental crisis, but also a public safety crisis” that rescuers weren’t equipped to handle.
“With over 50 million people visiting the beaches annually, we need to take steps to keep the public safe,” she said.
In addition to domoic acid, saxitoxin produced by algae also accumulates in fish such as sardines and anchovies, according to Marine Mammal Care Center CEO John Warner. Marine mammals eat the toxin-carrying fish and become ill.
Officials and researchers have observed that warming ocean temperatures encourage the toxic algae’s growth.
“We’re facing an unprecedented multitoxin event,” said Horvath, whose 3rd District includes Malibu and other coastal areas.
Recent tests from multiple locations near shores and the Channel Islands showed increasing levels of domoic acid, according to the board motion.
Warner said shellfish poisoning resulting from saxitoxin was also increasing and noted public advisories to avoid eating shellfish from noncommercial sources that may not have done proper testing for the toxin.
Each year the center’s rescue hotline receives 4,000 calls, according to the motion. Calls involving county beaches total 60% of all MMCC responses and animals admitted for rehabilitation.
“(The MMCC) is really the only organization equipped to do the important and frequently unsung work of providing care for our marine mammals that are suffering from domoic acid toxicosis,” Hahn said.
Through not even half of 2025, the organization has cared for at least 410 marine mammals, while its annual budget is for 300 animals, according to the motion. The MMCC currently needs to raise between $3 million and $3.5 million annually to operate, most of which comes from private philanthropy.
Noting the county’s budget challenges amid a climate of fiscal uncertainty fueled by threats of federal and state funding cuts and other economic pressures, Supervisor Holly Mitchell questioned whether the funding was too high.
Warner and center officials initially asked for $750,000, but because 60% of MMCC-served beaches the county’s, officials called for reduced funding.
“I want to support (the request) but it shouldn’t just be on us particularly when we’re supporting a nonprofit, and we’re looking at curtailments to direct county departments,” Mitchell said. “If the ask was $750,000, 60% of that, if that’s fair and accurate, would get us to $450,000.”
Tuesday’s motion noted that the MMCC took over rescue and response operations from Marine Animal Rescue, which closed in 2022, increasing the center’s costs by $600,000.
Mitchell offered an amendment that her colleagues OK’d, directing the Department of Harbor and Beaches and the county CEO to report back in five days with a list of funding sources and a schedule of updates. The CEO was directed to identify up to $600,000 in additional funds for the upcoming fiscal year and to implement a long-term funding strategy.
The board also directed Beaches and Harbors along with the county Office of Emergency Management to create an response plan for future mass-stranding emergencies and toxic algal blooms in partnership with the MMCC.
“The Marine Mammal Care Center has done extraordinary, often unsung work for years to care for our ocean life. But their staff and volunteers are overwhelmed by yet another domoic acid crisis. They need our help now,” said Hahn, who represents the San Pedro area. “I’m grateful to MMCC’s leadership, staff, and volunteers for their tireless work to save marine mammals and to keep people safe. Help is coming.”
More information on the MMCC is on its website marinemammalcare.org.
