Some seek to ensure public access amid ‘concern that closures will spread.’
After the city of San Diego issued recommendations on viewing sea lions at La Jolla Cove — reminiscent of earlier advisories that led to restrictions on human access to the Children’s Pool and Point La Jolla — some members of La Jolla planning groups are aiming to ensure public access to the popular Cove and possibly remove the pinnipeds that go on land to rest there.
“Now that we’re moving into the summer months, it’s very common for swimmers and beach-goers to encounter sea lions,” Michael Ruiz, chief park ranger for the city Parks & Recreation Department, said July 3. “With that, it is very important that you realize the ocean is their home. We want to encourage and educate people in the importance of staying away from sea lions in the water or if they encounter a mother and her pup on the beach. Give them space.
Robyn Davidoff and Carol Toye, leaders of the Sierra Club Seal Society, which was instrumental in attaining the earlier restrictions, said this month that they support “management of the area, but not closure.” MMPA allows private citizens to deter pinnipeds from damaging private property or endangering personal safety, and it authorizes city, county, state and federal governments to deter marine mammals on a beach or other public property to prevent damage or protect the public from potential threats from the animals.
“A lot of people are in the community,” Bubbins said. “It is a consistent issue, and people have also shared the concern that closures will spread.” In January 2016, the Town Council’s Coastal Committee announced its proposal for dealing with the sea lions: Install stainless-steel cables across key access points on the lower portion of the bluffs next to La Jolla Cove and string rotating plastic cylinders across the cables so the animals couldn’t climb to the larger, flatter area. The intent was to prevent the sea lions from gaining traction and thus make the area unappealing to them.
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