What readers need to know

The Marine Mammal Center says it has seen flare-ups of marine mammals stranding with signs of domoic-acid poisoning since early summer, with recent cases heavily concentrated on the Monterey Peninsula. The illness is caused by a neurotoxin produced by harmful algal blooms that accumulates in small fish eaten by sea lions and other marine mammals. It can cause disorientation, seizures and heart failure.

KSBW's Michael Rosales reports that the center rescued 15 to 20 sick sea lions over three days and expected the number to rise. The center told KSBW that response crews were bringing affected animals to its Monterey Bay Operations facility for evaluation before transport to its main hospital.

The center's current patient table provides direct local confirmation. It lists an adult California sea lion rescued August 29 from Asilomar Beach with abnormal behavior and domoic-acid toxicosis. It also lists an adult northern fur seal admitted August 25 from the Sunset Drive coastline near Arena Avenue in Pacific Grove with malnutrition and abnormal behavior. The table does not attribute that fur seal's condition to domoic acid, so MyPG.news is not doing so.

The Marine Mammal Center advises people to remain at least 150 feet away from distressed wildlife, keep children and pets back and call 415-289-SEAL (7325). Sick animals may be disoriented and unpredictable. The cited sources do not announce a blanket beach or shoreline closure.