All-year restriction of Point La Jolla to sea lions up in air

The May-October sea lion pupping season closure at Point La Jolla may become year-round. Last week, the environment committee voted unanimously to send the recommendation to the full City Council.

A history of humans harassing the wildlife prompted the city to pass regulations for the use of Point La Jolla in May 2022. Due to an estimated 15 million annual tourists, however, the 200 or so year-round sea lions were outnumbered.

Witnesses continued to describe scenes of people violating the city's "stay back" signs (NOAA recommends a 50-yard viewing distance), allowing dogs within feet of the animals, even feeding them flamin' hot cheetos.

On occasion, someone is threatened by angry male sea lions, which a U.C Santa Cruz study found have gotten bigger. "Pinniped experts tell us it's a miracle that more dangerous incidents haven't occurred when people, especially children, are a few feet from 600-pound sea lions," said Carol Toye, with the Sierra Club Seal Society.

"Closing this short area which is less than 150 yards of coast line, will create safe wildlife viewing areas," she said.

The closed-off area extends from northwest of La Jolla Cove to the last gazebo above Boomer Beach (next to Scripps Park). The proposed amendment maintains the boundaries, while making it unlawful to be on the beach and rocky area of Point La Jolla and most of Boomer Beach year round.

Ocean access would still be allowed for swimming year round. Dogs are prohibited but would be allowed on the sidewalk that runs along the low concrete wall separating the bluffs from the boardwalk. In addition, city crews could enter the closed area at any time. Signs, barriers and one full-time park ranger, on site year round, would enforce the new limits.

In March, the California Coastal Commission directed the city to amend its coastal development permit to allow for a year-round closure until long-term strategies for the area are in place.

Opponents argue that an environmental review is needed, saying the growing population of sea lions has harmed the ecosystem around the cove, drawn white sharks, and taken away recreational use of an area popular with swimmers, body surfers, divers, and fishermen.

"We've paid millions of dollars for two brand new lifeguard stations to guard ocean swimmers," said diver Joel Tracy, and now "lifeguards are talking to people on the beach about touching sea lions instead of watching the swimmers in the water."

Others said the impacts of permanent closure on recreational users needs to be studied. "The city charter states that parkland cannot be removed from public use without a public vote," said Kurt Hoffman, adding it should be on the upcoming November 24 ballot.

"In the past decade the city of San Diego and SeaWorld has encouraged more and more pinnipeds to alter their historic Channel Island birthing patterns and utilize La Jolla as an annual pupping rookery."

Lori Saldana, who supports the permanent closure for the safety of humans and wildlife, said a warmer ocean is creating a petri dish of viruses and bacteria, infecting more marine mammals.

While the pinniped population has grown in recent years, this summer has brought a wave of death to sea lions in their historic rookery. In a single week in June, the Channel Islands Marine & Wildlife Institute fielded more than 1,000 reports of sick and dead marine mammals due to harmful algae.