Members of the La Jolla Parks & Beaches board are seeking answers and next steps following the widely-circulated online video of a man kicking at a sea lion in La Jolla.
At the group’s July 27 meeting at the La Jolla/Riford Library, board members and attendees discussed the video and what can be done as local authorities investigate the incident.
In late July, a video was posted and widely distributed in which a man is seen kicking or attempting to kick a sea lion multiple times as it was resting on a sitting wall in La Jolla. The exact time and date of the video have not been confirmed, but some reposts include a time stamp of 11:50 p.m. on July 22.
In the video, the person is seen getting into a defensive stance and then laughing and kicking at the sea lion, which then turned and scooted away. The person followed the animal, continuing to kick at it. Eventually, the sea lion climbed over the wall and the video cut.
Because sea lions are protected under the federal Marine Mammal Protection Act — which prohibits harassing or harming them — the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service are investigating the incident.
In the days following the video’s release, San Diego City Council president Joe LaCava, whose District 1 includes La Jolla, posted a joint statement with San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria to social media.
“We appreciate NOAA’s swift response and their leadership in this investigation,” he wrote. “We also encourage their continued partnership and enforcement efforts at La Jolla Cove and Point La Jolla. People need to understand that harassing marine mammals is not just irresponsible — it is a federal crime with serious consequences. Visible enforcement and accountability are essential to protecting both our wildlife and the public’s respect for these shared spaces.”
In a separate post, Gloria said he has asked local law enforcement to review the footage as part of the investigation.
Looking for more immediate action, LJP&B discussed the incident and what might be done about it.
“I think there is a lot of public outrage on both sides of this issue, so the question is, is there any role that we can play to move this off of the stalemate that it’s at,” LJP&B president Ann Dynes said at the meeting. “Because right now, you have too many animals and some unfortunate people that are doing nasty things.”
When asked if there are any imminent steps residents might expect, LaCava’s field representative Joaquin Quintero told the board the city would not likely take any additional action until the investigation is complete.
“We will continue to see what we’ve seen with rangers issuing warnings and a-frame signage,” he shared with the group, referring to efforts that have already been taken at La Jolla Cove to keep people and sea lions apart.
Earlier this year, the city deployed additional rangers to La Jolla Cove and authorized them to use a bullhorn to give out verbal warnings should a beach goer get too close to an animal. Additionally, new signage was installed outlining what is allowed and prohibited in the area.
As an additional measure, La Jolla resident and self-proclaimed “strong advocate for wildlife protection and conservation” Melissa Studer said nighttime enforcement was needed.
“I recognize that we need to balance wildlife protection with human recreational use … but what I believe is happening is another failure of city and community leadership … the city is allowing these human interactions,” she said. “Until there is 24/7 patrol, those incidents are going to continue to happen. I hope it’s a wake-up call for La Jolla. I don’t think that’s the reputation we want.”
As another possible solution, local swimmer Eric Fletcher said he would like to see the city pass an ordinance that grants local municipalities such as the San Diego Police Department the ability to enforce the Marine Mammal Protection Act and impose consequences against those that violate it.
“We want to keep The Cove open and we want to stop seeing the atrocious attacks on animals,” Fletcher said. “We need to change our behavior collectively because the pinnipeds aren’t going anywhere.”
The board opted to further evaluate local law enforcement’s ability to enforce the Marine Mammal Protection Act and discuss it and any other options at a future meeting.
Those with information about the incident are encouraged to contact NOAA at (800) 853-1964.