Disqus - Latest Comments for Adventurelover

Re: LaJollaLight.com | Judge's ruling clears way for seals to stay at La Jolla beach

Adventurelover — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 15:23:40 -0000

Judge Taylor’s ruling on November 13 dismissing the O’Sullivan case and vacating the order to dredge the beach was a great victory for all - children, seals, residents of San Diego, visitors from around the world, and the City of San Diego.

Thanks to the State Legislature for amending the 1931 Tidelands grant “a marine mammal park for the enjoyment and educational benefit of children” as one of the uses for Casa Beach. Thanks also to City Council for asking the Legislature to make this change.

The creation of the park rests in the hands of our City Council. Shared use must be re-examined as this policy will only continue to cause conflicts between beach vs seal advocates, often requiring police intervention, as well as the daily disturbances by people standing too close to resting seals. The rope placed during pupping season should be left up all year.

Having the City ask NOAA to change their signs indicating their official guidance of a 50’ distance from the seals is recommended. Other improvements could include installing telescopes for close-up viewing and other improved signage. Casa Beach Marine Mammal Park could become a world-class tourist destination, if planned correctly.

SB 428 will become law on January 1. Decisions made now can allow harbor seals greater protection and end the conflict at the beach.

I will not engage in any back and forth arguments with those who have different opinions. I feel the purpose of posting here is simply express those opinions without attacking each other

Cindy Benner
President, La Jolla Friends of the Seals
San Diego, CA

Re: Judge rules seals can stay at Children's Pool

Adventurelover — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 15:20:23 -0000

SB 428 will become law on January 1. Decisions made now can allow harbor seals greater protection and end the conflict at the beach.

I will not engage in any back and forth arguments with those who have different opionions. I feel the purpose of posting here is simply express our opinions.

Cindy Benner
President, La Jolla Friends of the Seals

Re: LaJollaLight.com | La Jolla's seal case hearing moves to Nov. 13

Adventurelover — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 13:58:34 -0000

Dear visitor from Colorado,

I'm just reposting a comment that was deleted. If you would like factual information on the current situation at Casa Beach, as well as information on harbor seal behavior and the history of the
rookery, please visit the La Jolla Friends of the Seasl website. If you have any questions, feel free to email us. We hope you will visit San Diego again, and pupping season (mainly February and March) is a very special experience.

La Jolla Friends of the Seals is an all-volunteer docent organization that's been in existence for 10 years. Our mission is to educate visitors about the rookery and harbor seal behavior. We rely mainly on online contributions and have a small money jar at the beach (maybe collect $25 a week) so we definitely aren't benefiting financially from the seals. All contributions go to support our educational programs. We want visitors and children to enjoy the experience of seeing the seals in their natural
environment and to learn to respect their home.

Our docents do not tell people where they can and cannot swim, but do tell them that seals are shy animals and will scare into the water easily if people approach them too closely. We also inform them that it is a violation of the Marine Mammal Protection Act, and marine mammals are also protected by the State Fish and Game Code. There is also a Municipal Code which protects all animals from mistreatment.

Seals are not endangered, but neither is their population increasing. The population at Casa Beach has remained relatively stable at about 180-200 animals. Scientific data shows that the population in California appears to have stabilized at its carrying capacity.

Seals do need undisturbed rest on land (10-14 hours per day) to replenish their oxygen supply and restore their body temperature. Seal pups are born on land and also require significant periods of rest while bonding with their moms for 4-7 weeks after birth. It would be very unusual for females
to give birth to their pups in the water so the seals do need this small beach which has the distinction of being a Federally-recognized rookery. Seals have a high degree of site fidelity and return to where they were born to give birth.

I hope I have provided some clarification.

Re: LaJollaLight.com | La Jolla's seal case hearing moves to Nov. 13

Adventurelover — Sun, 25 Oct 2009 17:51:17 -0000

ljdiver, do you care to introduce yourself or do you prefer to hide behind anonymity? You cite a Coastal Commission Report from 2001 that is slightly dated. If you go to the La Jolla Historical Society, you will be able to find the map I cited. City Council members are aware of this map and where Seal Rock is located although I don't think its been published in any official documents. Please don't ask me to provide references as this information has been discussed in face-to-face meetings with their staff.

Please refer to the official NOAA National Marine Fisheries website which states that “Harbor seals haul out on land for rest, thermal regulation, social interaction, and to give birth.” If seals regularly give birth on rocks, I’m sure this information would have been included at http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr.... I doubt they would post something without checking its validity based on scientific studies. If you need further information on how often seals give birth on rocks, I’d suggest you contact them directly or search online for such information.

Re: LaJollaLight.com | La Jolla's seal case hearing moves to Nov. 13

Adventurelover — Sun, 25 Oct 2009 09:57:25 -0000

John, enough of this back and forth rabble. Please look at the 1897 Botsford and Heald map of La Jolla Park where you’ll see that Seal Rock no longer exists as the sea wall was built on top of it. If you are referring to the rocks off Shell Beach, please note these are ROCKS not LAND where seals can give birth to their pups.

No La Jolla Friends of the Seals docents have been arrested and what you provided on YouTube is so misleading. You seem to be confused and must not know who our docents are - we wear turquoise t-shirts and you seem to be referring to other groups NOT US. The only LJFS docent I saw was one carrying our educational sign across the street and simply standing on the stairs leading to the beach. He wasn't talking to anyone.

We'll let our visitors from Colorado decide how to interpret what you have presented. I can use my time to much better advantage that continuing this dialogue.

Re: LaJollaLight.com | La Jolla's seal case hearing moves to Nov. 13

Adventurelover — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 16:50:07 -0000

John, I'm not sure how your response which has to do divers fishing for lobster relates to the types of activities mentioned by "waternuts." No one plans on interfering with divers fishing for lobster, but we are concerned with swim tours within the rookery with baby seals and their moms and having a "film crew using divers and a Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV) without receiving permits from NOAA.

Re: LaJollaLight.com | La Jolla's seal case hearing moves to Nov. 13

Adventurelover — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 14:47:36 -0000

"According to NOAA's local Enforcement Office, no one in Protected Resources has approved or received any requests for these activities. When you state that you already have "permission," that would involve obtaining the required permits. It would be helpful to know the date you received permission and the person who granted it to facilitate independent verification of its accuracy.