Sea lions on the California coast are displaying strange behavior likely due to a harmful algae bloom impacting the region, according to marine researchers.

A California surfer was left injured and shaken after a violent sea lion attack, which experts believe was triggered by a toxic algae bloom.

Sea lions and other marine mammals off the California coast are displaying unusual and aggressive behavior, likely linked to a harmful algal bloom, marine researchers say. One surfer off Ventura County had a terrifying encounter with a particularly aggressive sea lion on Friday.