LA JOLLA--Tensions have begun to arise between beachgoers and local sea lion populations.
These pinnipeds have been exhibiting behaviors for some time that have severely impacted the beach going experience and proved worrisome to many La Jolla natives.
Sea lions in the La Jolla Cove have been expanding their territory, moving along Alligator Head up through Million Dollar Reef. When establishing these new domains, they must protect them using aggression and intimidation.
Longtime La Jollan Anne Cleveland stated, "They patrol back and forth...One Sunday when I was was here there was a big one right at the shoreline...It looked like he was trying to keep people from coming into his territory." This style of behavior frightens many of the Cove users who have experienced it and in reality who can blame them?
Although the territorial behavior of the sea lions in the La Jolla Cove is a concern, it is not the only sea lion related issue facing the community. An increase in water pollution levels has been reported as a result of sea lion excrement. Cleveland notes, "It's become a toilet." The local swimming pools have become so fouled by pollutants that they are considered health risks.
"It's loud. That doesn't really bother me as much as the smell does...I have to keep the door closed," said Manuel Aguilar, who works just up the hill from the sea lions in the La Jolla Cove. The negative impacts of the sea lion expansion are felt by locals like Mr. Aguilar and Ms. Cleveland, however as of now there seem to be no resolutions to their problems.
The population of sea lions in the La Jolla Cove has doubled in the last five years and will likely double again in the next five. The sea lions are here to stay.
Although I recognize the validity of Ms. Cleveland and other local La Jollan's concerns, I also understand that everything must be taken with a grain of salt. Yes, these sea lions are making your beaches smell a little. However, these negative impacts are minuscule in comparison to larger scale results such as incarceration and death.
In Portland, Oregon just under two years ago Wildlife officials were issuing death sentences to sea lions because they were eating too many salmons. Sea lions were removed from their environment and eventually euthanized. These sea lions are being truly impacted by our species in a much more serious way than smells or barking.
Does this punishment fit the crime?
Jensen, Janet. "Sea lions killed for sake of salmon."Environment on msnbc [Portland] 08 03 2010, n.
pag. Web. 16 Feb. 2012.
Schwab, Dave. "Sea Lions: New pinniped problems for La Jolla?." La Jolla Light [San Diego] n.d., n.
pag. Web. 16 Feb. 2012. <http://www.lajollalight.com/2010/12/01/sea-lions-new-pinniped-
problem-for-la-jolla/>.
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