It's known as "the Blob," and it created the perfect storm for toxic algae in the Pacific.

While algal blooms are relatively common, this one is different. The algae thriving off the West Coast, Pseudo nizchia, can produce a deadly neurotoxin called domoic acid. What's more, the bloom was unusually large and lasted an unusually long duration, partially due to warm water conditions brought in by El Niño.Now, scientists are warning of the widespread effects the toxic algae is having on wildlife and the seafood industry.

This map shows probabilities for Pseudo-nitzchia blooms. (CenCOOS/Kudela Lab)

"The duration of the bloom and the intensity of the toxicity were unprecedented, and that led to record levels of the toxin in species such as anchovies, razor clams and crabs," ocean scientist Raphael Kudela of UC Santa Cruz said in a statement. His lab has been monitoring the bloom and its far-reaching impacts. "We also saw the toxin in organisms and parts of organisms where we thought it was not supposed to be, like the filets of fish," he said.

That means seafood coming from that area may be contaminated. If consumed, it could cause a serious illness called amnesic shellfish poisoning. , symptoms range from headaches and hallucinations to memory loss, seizures and even death.

Currently, monitoring programs have been put into place to make sure all seafood entering the market is safe to eat. The programs are causing West Coast fisheries to close and .

"The crabs are feeding on the seafloor, and all the things they would typically eat can hold the toxin for months," Kudela said.

The bloom has also been responsible for in California sea lions, a new report published inSciencesaid.

Kudela says the algal bloom could return in full force again next year, if El Niño is as strong as predicted.

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