Some suspect domoic acid, a biotoxin found in algae blooms off the California coast that was detected in sardines found dead in King Harbor in March.
In the past few days, five more common dolphins have washed up on Southern California beaches, dead or dying, bringing the total death toll to 16 dolphins and one Dall’s porpoise since April 1.
“The dolphins that are washing up on the beaches are a window to what’s going on in the ocean’s environment,” said Joe Cordaro, a National Marine Fisheries wildlife biologist. “Undoubtedly more animals are dying at sea, it’s just impossible to say how many.”
Most have washed ashore from Malibu to Newport Beach, including recent strandings at Rat Beach, Hermosa Beach and Manhattan Beach.
Source: Redondo Beach Patch