URGENT! URGENT! URGENT!
Petition to close the beach in La Jolla, CA during harbor seal pupping season!
The purpose of this petition is to demonstrate to the San Diego, California City Council a broad world-wide base of support to close Casa Beach in La Jolla during the winter harbor seal pupping season. Of the 17 mainland California harbor seal rookeries, it is one of only two rookeries which do not have restrictions to human access during the critical winter pupping season. Closure will allow pups to be born in peace and newborn pups to bond with their mothers, nurse, and learn essential survival skills, which are critical 6 weeks later when the pups are weaned and on their own.
Despite the 70 miles of beach in San Diego, special interest groups have tried to convince the City Council that human access privilege superceeds all other considerations, including disturbing the mothers and newborn pups. Every signature counts and will represent many others who would willingly give up their short term recreational pursuits to support the necessary habitat security needed by these vulnerable marine mammals.
The City Council will hear the issue on 29 October so your signature on this petition is urgent!
Please add your name to this vital petition - for the seals!
Dear Interim Mayor Gloria and members of the City Council
I support closing Casa Beach in La Jolla during the five months of harbor seal pupping season between December 15 and May 15. As you know, the Federal Marine Mammal Protection Act and the San Diego Municipal Code protect wildlife at this location.
Of the 17 mainland seal rookeries in California, only Casa Beach and Bolinas Lagoon in Marin County have no access restrictions during pupping season.
Closing this beach during pupping season will protect seal mothers and newborn seal pups from human harassment. Unfortunately, harassment and encroachment from people results in premature births, abandoned pups and increased pup mortality. An abandoned seal pup cannot survive without its mother.
It is for these reasons that I encourage you to close Casa Beach during the critical months of seal pupping season.
Thank you for your consideration.
