VICTORY FOR MARINE MAMMALS IN LOS ANGELES COUNTY

After a decade of effort, the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) has now agreed that there is a need, and has decided to authorize, a second marine mammal care facility in Los Angeles County. This will go out to bid.

Each year during the spring, many sea lions suffering from domoic acid poisoning are left on the beach due to the limited capacity at Fort McArthur Marine Mammal Care Center, Los Angeles County’s only marine care center. A second facility would ease the strain on the Fort McArthur Center and allow a more rapid critical care for sick or injured animals throughout the county.

No matter who receives this authorization, the sick, injured or orphaned marine mammals in Los Angeles County will benefit for decades to come.

The days of a single over-crowded marine care facility that forces rescuers to leave suffering animals on the beach will soon be history.