A portion of La Jolla Cove in San Diego might be shut down following the release of a video that shows a teenager kicking a sea lion at this popular coastal destination.
This discussion came from members of the California Coastal Commission after the arrest of 18-year-old Tyler Mule, who was linked to the incident that has left the community outraged.
Commissioners are voicing concerns that not enough is being done to safeguard local wildlife as more tourists visit the cove.
“Honestly, I’m really embarrassed to be a San Diego resident right now,” said Commissioner Matt O’Malley. “Frankly, I’m tired of the city’s failure to implement already proposed plans in a coordinated way,” as reported.
O’Malley feels the current conditions are dire enough to warrant a partial closure of the cove and the addition of park rangers.
“I’ve concluded that if there’s a will, there’s a way, and it seems to me there is no will from the city to protect wildlife here,” he noted.
While he understands the limits of the commission’s authority, he urges them to strive to push those boundaries. “Until the city actively decides to take action and address the situation, a partial closure might be the only viable solution. It’s unfortunate we’ve come to this.”
Another commissioner, Jose Preciado, suggested that the cove could use a sort of overhaul, particularly in terms of environmental preservation.
Commission Vice Chair Caryl Hart pointed out that the situation has worsened continuously. “It’s completely out of control… but how can we safeguard these natural resources?” she asked.
There have been longstanding issues at the cove involving interactions between humans and sea lions.
In federal court, Mule pleaded guilty to violating the Marine Mammal Protection Act after he was captured on video kicking a sea lion.
He was seen near Ellen Browning Scripps Park, approaching the animal with hands raised as if preparing to fight.
As part of his plea agreement, Mule admitted to kicking the sea lion on four occasions, which carries potential penalties including a year in prison and a hefty fine of $100,000.
Tourists often encroach upon the sea lions, which can stress the animals. It’s concerning because sea lion pups that interact with humans sometimes end up abandoned by their mothers. Alarmingly, around 40% of pups born in La Jolla Cove have died this year.
The mayor’s office has not committed to a seasonal or year-round closure of the cove, reportedly not being open to the suggestion.
“It’s a challenge to ensure coastal access and prevent incidents, but we’re exploring possible solutions,” a representative mentioned.
Earlier this year, TripAdvisor named La Jolla Cove the top beach in the U.S., surpassing some stunning locations in Hawaii and Florida.
Located about 21 miles from downtown San Diego, La Jolla Cove is known for its dramatic cliffs and clear waters, and it’s particularly popular for snorkeling in the summer. It’s part of a marine reserve, and visitors often get too close to the sea lions for photos, something the city advises against.
