Oct. 26, 2017 - A mysterious mass die-off of sea creatures in the San Francisco Bay has been solved. A common parasite,
Miamiensis avidus, has been blamed for the deaths of hundreds of sharks, rays, and other species. Many creatures washed up on shores and died between February and July, 2017, and isolated strandings continue. Researchers with the Pelagic Shark Research Foundation tracked the stranding locations. Necropsies of the leopard sharks revealed the parasites had been entering through the sharks' noses, and eating away at their brains, causing them to become disoriented. While it’s still unclear why the parasites have affected so much sea life, weakened immune systems have increased some species’ susceptibility. Toxins and overcrowding in the Bay could be contributing factors.
Click here to read Mysterious Brain-Eating Shark Killer Identified, Though Questions Remain.
