Toxin Found in Sardines Suspected in Dolphin Deaths

Experts believe a biotoxin found in coastal algae blooms and sardines that perished in a killed two common dolphins that came ashore in Newport Beach over the weekend.

Samples taken during necropsies performed on the animals at the Pacific Marine Mammal Center in Laguna Beach have been sent to a lab in Los Angeles for confirmation, said Michele Hunter, director of operations and animal care for the center. The results are expected by Thursday, she said.

"We are highly suspicious that it was domoic acid poisoning," Hunter said.

Domoic acid is a naturally occurring biotoxin found in algae blooms off the California coast. It is increased, in part, by fertilizers and other pollutants that wash out to sea. It remains dormant in fish and shellfish that feed on the plankton until larger mammals and birds feed on the fish that have ingested the substance.

The toxin can result in seizures, brain damage, partial paralysis, foaming at the mouth, disorientation and death.

in the stomachs of the 2.5 million sardines that died last month in Redondo Beach's King Harbor.

A dolphin came ashore on the beach at 15th Street on Sunday, Animal Control Officer Mike Teague said. Later in the day, another dolphin beached itself off 61st Street, he said.

"Both were alive when they came up and soon died," Teague said.

Since then, there have been no other reports of sick or dead animals coming ashore in Newport Beach, he said.  However, in the Los Angeles County area.