Spencer Parker, a lifeguard for over 20 years, reports an unprecedented number of dolphin strandings in L.A. County, attributed to a harmful algae bloom affecting marine life from San Diego to Santa Barbara. With four strandings occurring within two weeks, the lifeguards are struggling emotionally, leading some to take mental health days. Experts speculate that recent firestorm runoff has exacerbated the bloom. It poses severe threats to wildlife, significantly impacting sea lions and dolphins, with no apparent resolution in sight, highlighting broader ecological challenges.
We're human beings and we have feelings and we care about marine life - that's one of the reasons we chose this profession. When these dolphins and sea lions come to shore and they're still alive, we do our best to make them comfortable and sometimes it doesn't work out and that takes a toll.
The worst thing we've ever seen and had to respond to ... and there's no end in sight.
Algal blooms can form due to low water circulation or after weather events like droughts, floods or hurricanes and can quickly proliferate in warm, nutrient-rich water.
The bloom's impact on wildlife including sea lions and dolphins has been the worst thing we've ever seen and had to respond to...
According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the first effects of the bloom began to show up off the coast of Malibu around Feb. 20.
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