Fish and Wildlife and HABs
FAQs for Fish
How can fish be exposed to HABs?
Fish can be exposed to HABs and associated toxins by:
- Direct contact with cyanobacteria and associated toxins (cyanotoxins) in the water.
- Ingestion of cyanobacteria and cyanotoxins through their diet.
What are signs of possible cyanobacterial toxin poisoning in fish?
Fish may become sick or die from exposure to cyanotoxins. Fish may also be impacted from low dissolved oxygen associated with decaying algal material.
How can I report fish kills?
Fish kills that may be related to a suspect HAB should be reported through the HAB Portal bloom incident form. Once reported, a state agency (OEHHA) will inform the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) and assist in collecting the relevant data for the CDFW Mortality Report. See the HAB-related Illness Tracking webpage for information on previously reported fish kills related to HABs in California.
What are Golden Algae Blooms?
Southern California is experiencing an increase in fish kills due to the occurrence of golden algae blooms. Golden algae (Prymnesium), are often found in estuaries and inland saline (salty) waterbodies. One species of golden algae causes impacts to fish and bivalves (e.g. clams, oysters) since the toxin it produces injures their gills and causes illness and death. For more information on Golden Algae refer to other resources, such as information provided by the US Geological Survey (USGS).
FAQs for Wildlife (Wild Birds and Mammals)
How can wildlife be exposed to HABs?
Animals receive much higher exposure to cyanotoxins compared to people because they drink scummy or discolored water, eat algal material, and lick algae stuck in their fur after swimming. Animals are especially vulnerable to cyanotoxin poisoning due to their high exposure levels.
Animals can be at risk even when blooms are not visible. Benthic blooms commonly poison animals that eat algal material growing in the shallows, floating as mats on the surface, or in algal accumulations on the shore. Such poisonings typically occur at fast or slow moving rivers, streams, and other areas prone to benthic cyanobacteria.
How can I report sick or dead wildlife?
Sick or dead wildlife that may be related to a suspect HAB should be reported through the HAB Portal bloom incident form. Once reported, a state agency (OEHHA) will inform the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) and assist in collecting the relevant data for the CDFW Mortality Report. See the HAB-related Illness Tracking webpage for information on previously reported wildlife illnesses related to HABs in California.
RESOURCES:
- CDFW Wildlife Investigations Lab - Avian Investigation information on Algal Toxins
- Foss et al. (2018) publication on 2012 bird mortality event from Chesapeake Bay
For general information on HABs please refer to the HABs FAQ webpage