Phoebe Beltran sustained several cuts on her right arm and had to be hospitalized after she was attacked by a sea lion in Long Beach.

The toxicity of this particular bloom seems to be a lot higher, ” said a marine biologist. “Animals are in worse shape than they have been in the past.”

Phoebe Beltran immediately screamed for help, which is when the animal -- she later found out was a sea lion -- let go of her arm. She was assisted back to the shore and a lifeguard boat patrolling the water brought all the other swimmers to safety,