CBS, Jun 17, 2015 (emphasis added): A toxic algae bloom spreading off the Pacific coast could be the largest one scientists have ever seen. “It’s definitely the largest bloom of this particular algae seen on the West Coast, possibly anywhere, ever” Raphael Kudela, a professor of ocean sciences at the University of California Santa Cruz, told CBS News… “Currently what we’re seeing is this large bloom taking place from about Santa Barbara all the way up to Alaska,” said Kudela… “We’ve been keeping track since the beginning of May.”… But the size of this bloom surprised even him. “It’s over such a large area. You typically don’t see these blooms up in Alaska. They’re having to deal with something they’re not used to dealing with.”… Already,animal rescue centers along the coast are seeing an unusual increase in sea lion, dolphin and pelican deaths…
Vancouver Sun, Jun 22, 2015: Toxic algae bloom west of Vancouver Island threatens salmon… The bloom stretches along the Pacific coast from California to B.C… the cause is unknown… An additional concern relates to salmon stock. The bloom has almost no crustaceans… which is worrisome, [Ian Perry, a research scientist with Fisheries and Oceans Canada] said… “with the lack of crill [sic] and other crustaceans, there is a concern they won’t find as much food”… consequences could be seen in lower salmon stocks returning to rivers in two to four years, he said.
L.A. Times, Jun 19, 2015: Toxic algae bloom shuts down West Coast fisheries… A recent, huge bloom of algae off the West Coast has killed sea birds and sickened marine mammals from Central to Northern California, experts found…
Daily Breeze, Jun 20, 2015: The West Coast is in the midst of the most prolific toxic algal outbreak ever recorded, said Vera Trainer, manager of the Marine Biotoxin Program at NOAA… What makes it even more unusual is that other debilitating toxins have been found alongside it — in some cases infecting the same animals…
Spokesman Review, Jun 17, 2015: A toxic algae bloom that’s unprecedented is range is affecting marine life from Central California toward Alaska… Now, its effects are spreading to mammals. In recent video… a sea lion is shown having seizures. NOAA researchers say they have never seen this before on… Washington’s coast.