If you visit some of the beaches on the Central Coast, you might be lucky and see sea lions wedged between rocks or just lying on the sand.
For about three weeks, some marine mammals on the coast have been harmed by domoic acid.
According to a rescue organization, the number is already four times higher than in the whole of last year.
At the Cal Poly Pier in Avila Beach, Chris La Scola says he saw what he believes to be a sick sea lion last week.
“I’ve been fishing all these rocks forever and I’ve never seen anything like this before,” La Scola said.
He saw the sea lion stuck between the rocks.
“It was definitely alive, but it was shaking a little bit,” La Scola said. “Almost like it was having slight convulsions.”
According to the Marine Mammal Center, more than 100 sea lions and at least one dolphin have become ill from domoic acid poisoning in the past two and a half weeks.
According to the Marine Mammal Center, this is a big increase from the 25 domoic acid cases in the region last year.
The organization’s service area begins near San Luis Obispo and extends 600 miles to the north.
“You feel kind of helpless,” said John Frady, a Shell Beach resident.
Frady often surfs at Shell Beach and says he has seen more than five sick sea lions in the last two weeks.
“Sometimes these seals stay there for several days and the next day they are dead,” Frady said.
According to NOAA Fisheries, marine mammals that eat contaminated fish become poisoned by domoic acid, which can cause seizures, brain damage and death.
“You wish you could help them, but no one can take care of them when you try to save them,” Frady said.
Marine Center officials advise maintaining a safe distance of at least 45 meters from sea lions because these mammals are unpredictable and generally suffer from stress.
According to NOAA, the domoic species does not appear to be harmful to fish or swimmers; it is found in shellfish, mussels or oysters, as well as in the Dungeness crab.
Currently, according to the Marine Mammal Center, it is unclear how long this will last, as there is currently no noticeable decline. If you see a mammal that needs help, call 415-289-SEAL.
