Ocean Access Advocates were not surprised but disappointed by the vote of California Coastal Commission, April 8.The Coastal Commission allows six-months of seasonal closure of Point La Jolla, which includes most of Boomer Beach.April 14, La Jolla Light).
Over the past year, the Seal Society and Sierra Club lobbied well to communicate their concerns regarding sea lion safety to San Diego and CCC. The Ocean Access Advocates’ independent voices were supported by the La Jolla Community Planning Association La Jolla Park & BeachesBoth of these organizations overwhelmingly supported our proposal to keep Boomer Beach and No Mans access to the ocean for human access.
We respectfully disagree the Surfrider Foundations support for the Seal Society, despite Surfriders fundamental value. Fighting for fair and full beach accessFor everyone to enjoy. Surfrider Foundation should prioritize beach access, whether bodysurfing or not. Boomer Beach, which is a protected beach for bodysurfing year round (no flotation devices permitted) in California.
Boomer Beach is not permitted to use flotation devices or boards.
(Courtesy Kurt Hoffman
The OAA proposal for an Environmental Impact Report, to be commissioned from the city to study the impacts on La Jolla’s California sea-lion colony, was also supported by La Jolla community group.
We are aware of the current problems with tourists and selfies taken with sea lions. We support the city’s coastal development permit for Point La Jolla to be closed for a season in 2022. However, we don’t support closing safe access for Boomer Beach or No Mans. OAA and La Jolla community organizations request that the CDP is reviewed in 2023 and that an EIR by the city be commissioned as soon as possible.
OAAs care deeply for the environment, fishes, invertebrates and sharks. The California sea-lion colony in La Jolla has been polluting the marine environment with approximately 500 to 800 gallons daily of raw sewage.
Sea Lions and other pinnipeds have been protected by the government for a long time. SeaWorlds rescue program in local waters has also had an impact on the populations of both pinnipeds as well as their primary predator, the great white sharks. Both species have seen an increase in their numbers beyond their historical carrying capacity. This is why you see California sea lions at La Jolla shore, and great white sharks along our coastline. Historically, these species have not been seen in such large numbers.
An EIR to study water quality, tide pool, land impacts, and air quality should have been a condition of California Coastal Commission approval for the Point La Jolla CDP Application. OAA has requested an EIR covering all Ellen Browning Scripps Park land, water environments. Our requests for an EIR were not met by the CCC and San Diego.
To better understand the effects on the marine ecosystem, the growing California sea-lion colony in La Jolla should conduct an environmental impact assessment as soon as possible.
Point La Jolla, and the bluffs beneath Brockton Villa, are daily reminders of the harmful effects that sea lions have on our beaches and local waters. Local tourists have seen negative effects from the five years of pupping and birthing activities that La Jolla has allowed. Boomer Beach’s large slippery rocks are periodically covered in sand, which may provide a viable environment for the birth of sea lion pups.
OAA respectfully disagrees the Seal Society’s assertion that 40% of sea lion births in La Jolla are on Boomer Beach. Point La Jolla’s rock shelves, and the bluffs below Brockton Villa’s Razor Reef, provide flat surfaces which are more commonly used for pup birthing than the large rocks on Boomer Beach. These large rocks are often slippery and uneven. These rocks can trap newborn pups easily in their deep crevices.
The Seal Society values pinniped protection and sanctuary above human access to our coast. This ideal should conflict with the Coastal Commission’s historical mission to preserve public access and protect our coast. The environment and humans seem to be being overtaken by animals now.
Ocean Access Advocates is made up of Kelly OSullivan, Ken Hunrichs, Kurt Hoffman, and Dr. George Chiang.
