San Diego City Council approves seasonal closure of Point La Jolla for sea lions

The San Diego Metropolis Council Tuesday authorized an annual seasonal closure of Level La Jolla and Boomer Seaside throughout sea lion pupping season — Could 1 by way of Oct. 31.

The closure, approved by the California Coastal Fee on April 8, is meant to make sure the protection and well being of each guests to the realm and the ocean lions. It is going to be in impact for seven years.

“As we speak’s motion codifies the boundaries and the timing of the closure and permits for what all sides of this difficulty need — higher enforcement,” stated Councilman Joe LaCava, who represents District 1 and the ocean lions’ most well-liked seashores. “This effort was solely potential with the enter of the mayor’s workplace, Parks & Recreation Division, our lifeguards, advocates, La Jolla group teams and the over 1,500 people that accomplished the general public survey.

“With their enter, we achieved a compromise that preserves ocean entry and retains the general public at a protected distance to benefit from the pure wildlife on our shoreline,” LaCava stated.

The closure covers the rocky shoreline generally known as Level La Jolla from the Conrad F. Limbaugh and Harold F. Riley commemorative plaque — northwest of La Jolla Cove — all the way down to the stepping stone adjoining to the low concrete wall, a comparatively small portion of rocky land abutting Ellen Browning Scripps Park.

The motion additionally safeguards the rest of Boomer Seaside as an ocean- entry zone for these accessing the water for bodysurfing, swimming or spearfishing. In accordance with LaCava, the design displays suggestions obtained throughout a public engagement interval and balances proscribing entry to the rookery throughout pupping season with preserving water entry.

“With the rising sea lion inhabitants, Level La Jolla has turn out to be a well-liked vacationer vacation spot for the general public to view these wild animals at shut vary,” a metropolis employees report on the proposal reads. “Consequently, interactions between sea lions and the general public have elevated leading to studies of harassment of the animals. Members of the general public have been noticed attempting to the touch, take `selfies,’ and get as near sea lions as potential which is probably harmful for not solely the animals, but in addition the general public as properly.”

The ocean lion pupping season is a essential time for moms and their younger to bond, nurse and study to swim. Human interactions with grownup sea lions and their younger throughout this time might probably end in damage to and/or abandonment of sea lion offspring, in addition to aggressive habits from grownup sea lions.

Previous to proposing a closure final yr, the town started public schooling efforts to encourage applicable and protected habits. When harassment incidents and conflicts continued, the California Coastal Fee directed the town to take emergency motion and shut Level La Jolla for the second half of the pupping season. In accordance with metropolis paperwork, this preliminary closure labored, with incident studies changing into almost nonexistent.

“Over time now we have witnessed — I’ve witnessed — behaviors of harassment that endangered birthing sea lions, their pups, and risked the protection of the general public and their youngsters interacting with wild animals,” LaCava stated. “As we speak’s vote is the end result of a year-long effort to soundly protect this distinctive wildlife expertise whereas representing the pursuits of holiday makers and wildlife alike.”

The transfer additionally bans all canines from the purpose — besides service canines — year-round in addition to fireworks at Ellen Browning Scripps park throughout the seasonal closure. Park rangers shall be stationed close by with the authority to offer penalties and fines.