For the past five years, Casa Beach in La Jolla, home of the harbor seal colony, has been closed during the 5 months of Pupping Season so the pups could be born and nursed without human disturbance. The rest of the year the beach is shared by people and seals, though a guideline rope serves as a reminder for people to stand behind it and keep a safe distance from the seals.
Visitors come from all over the world, millions of them, to view the moms and pups as few sites offer this close panoramic view. It is a treasure that delights, educates, and brings us closer to nature and the animals who share our planet.
Without these protections, the colony and their pups would suffer terrible human harassment when people get too close to them. This has a deleterious effect on the moms and newborn pups, and may result in abandoned pups, malnutrition, stress, and increased pup mortality.
The California Coastal Commission (CCC) will vote on June 13th to maintain both beach closure and the guideline rope for a ten year period.
The opposition wants the seals gone and this small beach left to themselves year round, despite the seven other nearby beaches, and the dreadful effect their presence would inflict on the seal colony.
Please sign you name to tell the CCC to retain these protections for the seals and their pups during their critical pupping period and to maintain the guideline rope during the summer season. Please share this petition with your friends.
THE SEALS THANK YOU!!
