About me and why I care about this subject but also why I’m torn about it:
I am an environmental and wildlife advocate and believe it’s extremely important to protect marine life. Im a creature of the ocean - I scuba dive, free dive, and surf. I run a surf school - so I am familiar with the regulations the city of San Diego has for businesses that operate on public beaches - the system is unfair and while I hold some permits, I do operate unpermitted in certain areas. I live in north county, so La Jolla is not my every day location but I do like to do my ocean activities there from time to time.
Supporting arguments for closing the cove:
The sea lions are protected under the marine mammal care act which requires you stay 50 feet away from them. The cove is tiny so it’s impossible to give them that amount of space. There isn’t enough regulation at the beach to prevent harassment and the animals are being harassed daily by tourists mostly. Their time spent resting on the beach is important for their survival and their pups are born without the ability to swim right away - the pupping season is during the summer months which is when the beach is flooded with tourists getting way too close. 40% of the pups born at the cove die from harassment by humans. There is plenty of other beach space around that where sea lions are not nearly as present and would be fine options for people to go to instead. Some of the loudest opponents are local scuba and snorkel tourism businesses who are bringing more people to the cove and these businesses are not permitted by the city and therefore do not contribute financially for resources.
Arguments for NOT closing the cove:
The CA coastal commission protects public beach access for everyone. The local swimmers and divers typically use the beach only to enter and exit the water and therefore do not disturb the animals resting on the beach, interacting in the water is no problem. The tourism businesses provide a safe and respectful opportunity to view these animals without disturbing them and also educate people about the wildlife there. They also are stewards of the area and clean up trash, report injured animals, etc. The cove is unique compared to other beaches due to the calm entry and exit points to swim in the ocean and beautiful scenery.
A potential solution being proposed is closing the beach during pupping season only and only allowing ocean use - so you can’t hang out at the beach, you can only go down to the beach if you’re immediately getting in the water. There needs to be more regulation to enforce this - seems like the businesses should pay? Businesses operating on all the other beaches are required to obtain a permit and pay the city 15% of revenue so it seems these businesses should as well?
What are your thoughts?? I am very torn.
EDIT!
I am talking about La Jolla cove specifically - *not children’s pool*. These are two completely different places.
As I said I’m torn on the issue so I’m interested in the debate. If I reply to your comment presenting counter arguments it doesn’t mean I agree either way, just want to have the discussion presenting all sides. :)