> Normal (El Nino) weather patterns seem to explain why these young animals may be having trouble finding food. And while plenty of spectres are thrown about like toxic algae and pollution from storm runoff, no data are actually provided, which IMO is beneath journalistic standards.
What? That is literally what the article says:
> Though the exact reason for the increase in the number of strandings this year is unknown, Higuchi said it could be tied to warmer ocean waters caused by an El Niño weather pattern or excess stormwater runoff from this winter’s rains.
And they go on to provide other possible explanations:
> Necropsy results have yet to come in, but Viezbicke thinks the dolphin beachings have something to do with this year’s rain, which has pounded the state in recent months with a series of *atmospheric river-fueled front.
> It’s possible the storm runoff that washes waste into the ocean has caused a stronger bloom of poisonous algae, which produce a toxin responsible for neurological disorders, Higuchi said. Sickness caused by the algae blooms can cause seizures, which affected three of the dolphins found recently in Southern California.
quoting Justin Viezbicke, stranding coordinator with National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Hardly unsubstantiated claims as you make it.
Let's not be so quick to dismiss anything related to our poor behavior in relation to ocean toxicity and waste problem, it won't do us good on the long run!