Nature can be pretty pungent.
That is the message some residents in one Southern California community are sending to visitors who have complained about the strong odor drifting from San Diego’s popular sea lion viewing area at La Jolla Cove.
San Diego officials recently submitted a notice outlining plans to address what critics have described as an overwhelming smell caused by animal waste in the coastal area, which is home to sea lions, birds and other marine wildlife.
According to the notice, the city is seeking a permit to “abate noxious odors where accumulated bird and sea lion excrement pose a health hazard to the public.”
The proposed approach involves applying BIOCAAC, a bioactive odor counteractant and cleaner made by Ark Environmental Solutions.
Officials described the product as a water-based blend of cultured, non-pathogenic bacteria and surfactant that would be sprayed across more than 2,000 feet of the beach area, FOX5 San Diego reported.
Benny Cartwright, a supervising public information officer for the city, said the treatment has been used “many times in the past to mitigate the odor in those areas,” according to CBS8.
The cleaner is applied as a foam that clings to the bluffs, helping prevent runoff into the ocean while breaking down waste from sea lions and birds.
He also assured people the city’s “environmental team and partnering wildlife groups are working together to ensure work in this area does not impact wildlife or the water quality for swimming conditions,” the outlet reported.
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But not everyone is happy about it, particularly longtime residents and environmentalists who fear the spray is going to change the delicate ecosystem balance in the area, even though officials said it’s safe for the ocean animals.
“We shouldn’t do [anything] about it, because I feel like this is going to ruin how they are in their natural habitat. And why are we going to mess with them if they don’t mess with us?” Manuel Espinoza, a San Diego resident said.
“The impact, I feel, has to be a lot more looked into because this is a public beach,” Christine Cavarlez, a free dive instructor at La Jolla Cove, added.
“There’s wildlife here, there’s humans here [who] use it every day. And if all of a sudden all this bacteria goes into the water, there could be health implications that could impact everybody, not just the wildlife.”
Comments on social media about efforts to remove the stink range from serious to hilarious.
“I am from San Diego and have been to La Jolla many times. Yes it smells like a–. Some days it’s unbearable. But I don’t care,” one person wrote.
“Perhaps they can power SPRAY (using water) THE TOURISTS off the sea lion beach (without getting the sea lions!)” another person wrote.
“I just launched a whole line of seal products:
* Seal deodorant — apply under your seal fins every morning.
* Seal toothbrushes, seal toothpaste, and seal mouthwash — because seal fish breath doesn’t have to be a way of life.
* Seal restrooms — but seals still can’t tag the walls or use the back seal stall to store all their seal belongings.
* Seal toilet paper — now available in extra-soft kelp and “ocean fresh” scent. We’re doing everything we can to help seals become cleaner, fresher, and more civilized… one flipper at a time,” a third person wrote.
It is unclear when the spraying is scheduled to start, as the city announcement just states it will be approved or denied at an upcoming public hearing.
