“Trump Administration’s Targeting of NOAA Threatens Efforts to Save Marine Wildlife in California”

In Redondo Beach, the Trump administration’s recent targeting of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has raised concerns among marine scientists, public health officials, and animal rescuers. The potential cuts to NOAA’s budget and workforce could have severe consequences for efforts to save sea lions, dolphins, sea birds, and other wildlife affected by toxins in the ocean.

NOAA plays a crucial role in enabling scientists to monitor ocean conditions, including the current domoic acid outbreak that is causing the deaths of hundreds of marine mammals along the California coast. The data provided by NOAA helps scientists understand when and how these outbreaks occur, provide aid to sickened animals, and examine their bodies to determine the cause of death.

State and local public health officials also rely on NOAA’s data to identify algal outbreaks that could impact human health, such as the current advisory to avoid consuming certain shellfish off the Santa Barbara coast due to another toxin, paralytic shellfish poisoning.

The domoic acid outbreak currently affecting the Southern and Central coast of California has led to a significant number of animals washing up dead on the shore. Sea lions and dolphins have been observed experiencing seizures and disorientation, likely due to ingesting fish contaminated by the toxin released by the phytoplankton Pseudo-nitzschia.

Scientists use a variety of tools and technologies, many of which are funded or supported by NOAA, to monitor and study these events. From robotic gliders that sample below the water’s surface to satellite data that detects plankton blooms, NOAA’s resources are essential for understanding and responding to marine wildlife crises.

The frequency and severity of these events have been increasing in recent years, posing a growing challenge for organizations like the Marine Mammal Center and the Channel Islands Marine and Wildlife Institute, which rely on federal funding to support their rescue and rehabilitation efforts.

Without NOAA’s support, these organizations would struggle to respond effectively to marine wildlife emergencies, such as the current domoic acid outbreak. The agency’s role in conducting necropsies to determine the cause of death for affected animals is also crucial for understanding the impacts of toxins on marine life.

Overall, the potential cuts to NOAA’s budget and workforce could have far-reaching consequences for the well-being of California’s ocean creatures, public health, and economy. The importance of NOAA’s work in forecasting weather is well-known, but its contributions to understanding and protecting the ocean environment are equally vital for the future of our planet.