Biologists find powerful neurotoxin in dead sardines

KWCH -

Biologists say the millions of dead fish that washed up in King Harbor in Redondo Beach tested positive for a dangerous neurotoxin.

The California Department of Fish and Game had originally blamed the die-off on oxygen deprivation, after the fish were driven into the marina by rough waters.

High traces of domoic acid were found by an independent team of biologists at the University of Southern California, who took their own samples.

The powerful neurotoxin is what caused the sardines to swim chaotically into the marina, the USC biologists say.

They still believe critically low oxygen levels, not the toxin or an algae bloom, was the main cause of death.

Results from analyses being performed by the Department of Fish and Game will be available this week.

Meantime, public works crews and volunteers are continuing their work cleaning up the marina.

Millions of dead fish, mostly sardines along with anchovies and mackerel, floated up to the surface from the ocean floor on Wednesday.

Officials said there was layer of fish about 12 to 18 inches thick covering the bottom of the marina.

Marine experts have warned that time is of the essence, because if the fish decompose, oxygen levels will go down even more in the marina, killing other sea life.

The decay could also boost nutrients in the harbor, leading to an algae bloom that would further deplete oxygen levels.

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