La Jolla Cove, a popular San Diego tourist destination, may temporarily close to the public as California officials seek to enhance protection for local sea lions, particularly during their pupping season. The potential closure follows an incident where an 18-year-old was federally charged for allegedly attacking a sea lion at the cove.
Ann Notthoff of the California Coastal Commission has proposed a temporary shutdown similar to a strategy employed in Monterey County. In that model, the beach is closed to people when sea lions are present for pupping and then reopened once the animals depart. Commissioners Notthoff and Matt O’Malley are advocating for this approach at La Jolla Cove to ensure the safety of the marine mammals while a long-term solution is developed.
The incident that heightened concerns involved Tyler Muehl, who pleaded guilty in federal court to violating the Marine Mammal Protection Act. The charge stemmed from a viral video that appeared to show him kicking a sea lion.
In addition to the potential closure, the city attorney is exploring legal avenues to empower lifeguards and park rangers with the authority to issue fines. This would enable them to act as enforcers of marine mammal protection regulations.
Despite existing seawalls and warning signs urging visitors to maintain distance from marine mammals, rules are frequently disregarded by tourists and locals alike, creating ongoing tensions at the popular site.