Photo credit: explorersweb.com
Unexpected Encounter: Surge of Aggressive Sea Lions in California
While the threat of shark encounters often dominates conversations surrounding dangerous interactions with marine life, an unexpected incident involving a sea lion took center stage for surfer RJ LaMendola off the coast of Oxnard, California. Approximately 140 meters from shore, LaMendola experienced a shocking attack when a sea lion aggressively pursued him and bit him.
The encounter, marked by unsettling behavior, saw the sea lion charging at high speed with its mouth open and eyes fixed on LaMendola. Despite his attempts to evade the aggressive animal, it managed to bite him on the left buttock, dragging him off his surfboard and into the water. LaMendola, demonstrating quick reflexes, fought off the sea lion and successfully paddled back to shore to seek medical assistance.
In a vivid recounting of the experience on Facebook, LaMendola described the moment: “It started as an ordinary session…The ocean was calm, the rhythm of the swells familiar — until, out of nowhere, a sea lion erupted from the water, hurtling toward me at full speed…My heart lurched as I instinctively yanked my board to the side, paddling frantically to evade it as it barrelled forward, intent on crashing into me.”
Photo: RJ LaMendola
Persistent Aggression
Even after the initial bite that dislodged him from his surfboard, the sea lion continued its pursuit as LaMendola attempted to make his way back to safety. “Its expression was feral, almost demonic, devoid of the curiosity or playfulness I’d always associated with sea lions,” he noted, reflecting on the strange nature of the encounter.
Once safely ashore, LaMendola drove himself to a nearby hospital for treatment. Although he is expected to recover fully, the incident has left him rattled, creating apprehension about returning to the water. In light of his experience, he reached out to local wildlife authorities to report the alarming attack, which aligns with a concerning trend of increased incidents involving sea lions and dolphins in Santa Barbara and Ventura County, showcasing significant environmental issues affecting the California coastline.
Recent studies suggest that these aggressive behaviors among marine mammals are linked to an increase in domoic acid poisoning, a condition triggered by harmful algal blooms that are proliferating along the coast. These blooms produce a neurotoxin called Pseudo-nitzschia, which accumulates in coastal fish, such as anchovies and sardines—key dietary staples for sea lions and dolphins. When these mammals consume contaminated fish, they ingest the toxin, leading to severe neurological effects, including seizures, disorientation, and notably, aggressive behavior.
The Broader Impact of Algal Blooms
The ongoing harmful algal bloom is wreaking havoc on marine ecosystems in Southern California. The Marine Mammal Care Center in San Pedro is currently treating over 140 ill sea lions, with additional cases reported at the Pacific Marine Mammal Center and SeaWorld San Diego. Wildlife officials are responding to an influx of reports regarding dolphins and sea lions washing ashore, many of which are in critical condition. While treatments are available for sea lions suffering from poisoning, dolphins face bleak outcomes, as veterinary professionals often resort to euthanasia due to the low survival rates associated with domoic acid toxicity.
The intensification of these toxic blooms is exacerbated by rising ocean temperatures and agricultural runoff pollution. In the previous year, thousands of marine mammals succumbed to these conditions, and forecasts suggest that this year’s algal blooms could result in even higher mortality rates.
Source
explorersweb.com