La Jolla Seal Conservation

​La Jolla Cove is home to one of the most biodiverse marine environments on the coast of California. In fact, it is one of the few places in the state where you can view seals and sea lions from the mainland. With that being said, it is a very popular tourist destination to view them and since the start of the pandemic, the cove has seen a significant increase in visitors. As a result, these wild animals are at greater risk of habitat encroachment and harassment by humans. To view seals and sea lions from land is a privilege and often times one that is unknowingly taken advantage of due to a lack of education about these animals. And that’s why I’m here- to share information on the two different species, viewing guidelines, organizations involved in their conservation, and why it is so crucial that we protect them. 

Can you tell the difference between the two species? *Hint* one way is related to the anatomy of their ear placement. Let's dive in and learn more about the biology of these incredible animals. First things first, both seals and sea lions belong to a group of marine mammals called pinnipeds, which means fin- or flipper-footed. There are two different families of pinnipeds, the Phocids and Otariids. 

Phocids are known for being earless or "true" seals, meaning they have ear holes but no external ear flap. They also have small front flippers to move on land and rear flippers to propel themselves in water. Phocids include harbor seals, which can be seen at Children's Pool Beach in the cove. 

Otariids are known as eared seals, which include fur seals and sea lions. Unlike Phocids, they have external ear flaps instead of an ear hole. On land, they are able to bring all four flippers under their bodies to move around and find a resting area. The California sea lion can be seen at Point La Jolla.

Both seals and sea lions are protected under the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA). What does that mean? Well, it means they are federally protected and major fines can be imposed for harassing these animals. Harassment is defined by the MMPA as "any act of pursuit, torment or annoyance which has the potential to injure a marine mammal in the wild, or to disturb a marine mammal by causing disruption of behavioral patterns, which includes, but is not limited to, migration, breathing, nursing, breeding, feeding, or sheltering". This would include any behavior disturbing their resting/sheltering after long periods fishing at sea, inhibiting their movements (mothers and young reuniting for example) or any behavior leading to growling, barking, biting, moving away from you due to fear or toward you aggressively (SD Seal Society).

The MMPA recommends the following viewing guidelines: 

  • Always stay at least 50 ft. away from seals and sea lions. 

  • Watch quietly. Keep voices low – no shouting or screaming.

  • Move slowly. No jumping or running near the seals and sea lions. (There are adjacent beaches where children can run and play).

  • Never attempt to touch, pet, ride, or swim with seals or sea lions.

  • Do not take selfies with seals or sea lions.

  • Do not feed seals or sea lions.

  • Do not follow or chase seals or sea lions.

  • Give seals or sea lions space! Do not surround, corner them, or block their path.

  • Never throw sand, stones, bottles, balls or any other item at seals or sea lions.

  • Never bring dogs in proximity to seals and sea lions.

  • Always be respectful of the seals or sea lions and their habitats.


Below is a photo by the SD Seal Society that displays what human encroachment looks like. Now after seeing that, I'm sure you can imagine that most of these guidelines are not followed. Despite all seals and sea lions having protection under the MMPA, they are still harassed, touched, and disturbed by humans. Thanks to collaborative efforts from organizations like NOAA, SD Seal Society and the Sierra Club San Diego Chapter, these animals have a safer future ahead of them. Together with your efforts, help from these partners, and enforcement by the MMPA, we can find solutions to conserving these unique marine mammals and their habitats. Currently, the mentioned organizations are working to close Point La Jolla during pupping season, which is May-June. 

Why should seals and sea lions in La Jolla be protected? Simply put, humans and seals cannot coexist safely when protections are not in place. The temptation to pet and take a selfie with seals and sea lions has become too much of a burden for these creatures to carry. These types of interactions can cause mothers to abandon their pups when they see humans interacting with them. Often times the mother will leave the pup unattended to hunt for extended periods of times but can still see them from shore. And when they see humans taking selfies with them they may not think it is safe to return. This abandonment can lead to population decline as the pups cannot sustain the population if they do not grow to adulthood.
 
Naturally, one third of seal and sea lion pups do not live past their first month in the wild. Now imagine what that statistic would be with the human factor affecting pup survival? To make matters worse, human encroachment prevents them from coming further up onto the beach, leading to crowding and stampeding of seals and seal pups. 

If you're alarmed, well then you should be, because it is alarming. The daily violation of the mentioned guidelines at the Cove is the sole reason we should close Point La Jolla from public access. We have to be a voice for these amazing creatures because they cannot protect themselves from human disturbance. 

So, why do you think seals and sea lions should be protected? If you would like to see them protected full time, sign the petition below! 

SD Seal Society Petition:
https://addup.sierraclub.org/campaigns/protect-la-jolla-sea-lion-pups-and-their-mothers-from-human-disturbances

Guidelines and viewing information: 
https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/topic/marine-life-viewing-guidelines#guidelines-&-distances 

NOAA Seal and Sea Lion information: 
https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/species/california-sea-lion#overview



Photo credits - SD Seal Society




A traveling biologist sharing her stories navigating the wildlife space and how she can best make an impact on the animal world while inspiring others to join her in caring for the environment.

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