May 6th, 2025

LOS ANGELES, CA – Today, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors passed a motion by Supervisor Lindsey P. Horvath, co-authored by Supervisor Janice Hahn, to urgently support the rescue and rehabilitation of stranded marine mammals impacted by a surge in domoic acid poisoning along LA County beaches.

“We are facing an urgent crisis along our coastline—marine mammals are washing up sick and dying from domoic acid poisoning, and the situation is only getting worse,” said Supervisor Lindsey P. Horvath. “This motion delivers critical support to the frontline responders rescuing and caring for these animals, while also helping us prepare for a future where these events will be more frequent and more severe due to climate change. We must act urgently and continue to invest in solutions to protect both public health and our coastal ecosystem.”

“The Marine Mammal Care Center has done extraordinary, often unsung work for years to care for our ocean life. But their staff and volunteers are overwhelmed by yet another domoic acid crisis. They need our help now,” said Supervisor Janice Hahn, who represents San Pedro where the Center is located. “I’m grateful to MMCC’s leadership, staff, and volunteers for their tireless work to save marine mammals and to keep people safe. Help is coming.”

“I am deeply grateful to Supervisor Horvath for leading the effort to secure emergency funding and pursue long-term solutions for the crisis along LA County’s coastline. We thank the Board of Supervisors for supporting this critical motion. Supervisor Horvath has been a true champion for our sea lions and dolphins in distress, and I appreciate her and her team visiting the Marine Mammal Care Center to see our work firsthand. Today’s action sends a clear message about the vital role of public-private partnerships in protecting both public safety and marine life,” said John Warner, Chief Executive Officer of the Marine Mammal Care Center. 

Recent weeks have seen a dramatic rise in marine mammals stranded along the LA County coastline, caused by a harmful algal bloom producing domoic acid – a naturally occurring neurotoxin that leads to seizures, disorientation, and death in marine animals. The Marine Mammal Care Center (MMCC), the only NOAA-authorized responder in the region, is facing a significant funding and resource gap in responding to daily rescues.

Supervisor Horvath’s motion directs County departments to take the following actions: 

• Immediately issue a $100,000 purchase order to the MMCC to support emergency rescue and medical care.
• Report back in 5 business days with funding options up to $600,000 to cover emergency marine mammal rescue and medical care.
• Create an emergency response plan for future mass-stranding events and toxic algal blooms in partnership with MMCC and the Office of Emergency Management.
• Develop a long-term funding strategy, including engagement with philanthropic partners, donation programs at beach concessionaires, and parking pass initiatives to support ongoing marine mammal welfare.
• Launch a public education campaign to inform beachgoers about best practices for coexisting with marine mammals and how to report animals in distress.

MMCC, which has responded to more marine mammal strandings per mile than any organization in the country, is an essential partner in marine conservation, public health, and education. The motion passed today reinforces Los Angeles County’s commitment to environmental stewardship, science-based public policy, and responsible coastal management.

To report an animal in distress, call their Rescue Hotline at 1-800-39-WHALE.

Read the full motion here.

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