A section of San Diego’s scenic La Jolla Cove could face a temporary shutdown after a disturbing video appeared to show a teenager repeatedly kicking a sea lion at the popular coastal destination.
The possibility was raised Friday by members of the California Coastal Commission, following the arrest of 18-year-old Tyler Muehl in connection with the widely condemned animal attack that has rattled the local community.
Commissioners said the incident underscores broader concerns that San Diego has not done enough to safeguard marine wildlife as large crowds of visitors continue to pour into the cove.
“I’m, quite honestly, just embarrassed to be a city of San Diego resident right now,” Commissioner Matt O’Malley said, according to the San Diego Union-Tribune. “Frankly, I’m sick and tired of the failure of the city to implement the previously proposed plan in a coordinated way.”
O’Malley argued that conditions at La Jolla Cove have deteriorated to the point that stronger intervention is needed, including more park rangers on site and a partial closure of the area.
“I’m left to conclude that where there is a will, there is a way, and I can only conclude there is no will on behalf of the city to protect the wildlife in this area,” he said.
“I know there are some limits to the role the commission can play here, but I would like for us to push those limits to their greatest extent. … I’m at the point where I believe a partial closure is the only way to deal with this issue until the city gets their program implementation figured out and investigates what is going on here. I’m sorry to have to be an advocate for that at this point.”
Commissioner Jose Preciado also suggested the cove may need “some sort of reboot,” saying officials should consider fully prioritizing environmental protection while policies and enforcement practices are reviewed and improved.
A third member, commission vice chair Caryl Hart, said the situation at La Jolla Cove “has gotten worse and worse instead of better” in recent months.
“It is completely out of control… but how can we protect these natural resources?” she asked.
Problems between people and sea lions at the cove have been known for some time.
Muehl pleaded guilty in federal court Thursday to violating the Marine Mammal Protection Act after the video of him kicking at the sea lion went viral.
The teen is seen approaching the animal near Ellen Browning Scripps Park with his hands raised as though he were preparing to box or fight it.
Muehl admitted in his plea agreement that he kicked at the animal four separate times and made contact while doing so. The crimes carries a maximum penalty of one year in prison and a $100,000 fine.
Tourists often come too close to the sea lions and provoke them. Sea lion pups there who have had human interaction can die because mothers will abandon their children due to it. About 40% of sea lion pups born at La Jolla Cove have died this year.
The San Diego mayor’s office has not made any commitment to closing the cove seasonally or year-round and has not “entertained” the idea either, according to a staffer for Mayor Todd Gloria.
“Making sure we are ensuring coastal access and also preventing any incidents is something that has been challenging, but something we have been… trying to come up with solutions (for),” she said. “We are constantly evaluating what measures we can use.”
TripAdvisor named La Jolla Cove the No. 1 beach in the US over several picturesque locales in Hawaii and Florida earlier this year.
La Jolla Cove is situated about 13 miles outside of downtown San Diego and is known for its rocky cliffs and pristine water. Parts of the cove are ideal for snorkeling during the summer months.
The cove is part of a protected marine reserve, and visitors occasionally get too close to the sea lions to take selfies, which the city advises against.
