Please Close Casa Beach during Pupping Season! Carol Archibald, PhD Seal Population Carrying capacity - maximum number of a species that can be supported in a given environment Carrying capacity - maximum number of a species that can be supported in a given environment Its carrying capacity is about 250 seals Its carrying capacity is about 250 seals Reference: Doyle Hanan, City Biologist Numerous studies confirm disturbances from human activities impact harbor seal behavior Renouf 1981; Schneider and Payne 1983; Terhune and Almon 1983; Allen 1984; Stewart 1984, 1996, 1997, 1998; Johnson 1989; Pitcher 1990; Calambokidis 1991; Richardson 1995; Suryan and Harvey 1999; Kopac 1999; Mathews 1999; Mortenson 2000; Henry 2002; Lewis 2000; Yochem 1998 and 2005; Colgrove 2005; Johnson A, Acevedo-Gutierrez A. 2007Andersen Renouf 1981; Schneider and Payne 1983; Terhune and Almon 1983; Allen 1984; Stewart 1984, 1996, 1997, 1998; Johnson 1989; Pitcher 1990; Calambokidis 1991; Richardson 1995; Suryan and Harvey 1999; Kopac 1999; Mathews 1999; Mortenson 2000; Henry 2002; Lewis 2000; Yochem 1998 and 2005; Colgrove 2005; Johnson A, Acevedo-Gutierrez A. 2007; Andersen 2011. Richardson et al, 1995 Human disturbances increase energy expenditure of seals by decreasing haul out (resting) period Human disturbances increase energy expenditure of seals by decreasing haul out (resting) period Greatest impact is on nursing pups when access to the beach is critical Greatest impact is on nursing pups when access to the beach is critical Suryan and Harvey, 1999 Disturbances during pupping season, when the seals are more dependent on land, increases their energy burden. Disturbances during pupping season, when the seals are more dependent on land, increases their energy burden. In the 2014 pupping season, 6 stillbirths were documented. In the 2014 pupping season, 6 stillbirths were documented. Effects of Human Disturbances Premature births Premature births Abandoned pups Abandoned pups Pup mortality Pup mortality Mom and Pup malnutrition, stress, fatigue Mom and Pup malnutrition, stress, fatigue Study conducted at Casa Beach in La Jolla. Yochem 2005 Humans on land or in the water caused 144 flushings from 9/21/04 - 1/01/05 Mother and young pup trapped Seals Protected The MMPA (Marine Mammal Protection Act) and San Diego Municipal Code protects the seals from harassment and disturbances from humans. California Coastal Act States public access must be balanced against the need to protect sensitive coastal resources States public access must be balanced against the need to protect sensitive coastal resources Section supports seasonal restrictions to protect resources and/or marine mammals Section supports seasonal restrictions to protect resources and/or marine mammals La Jolla Seals Provide: Free Seal-watching experience Free Seal-watching experience Education about seals in their natural setting Education about seals in their natural setting Nutrients vital to the ecosystem Nutrients vital to the ecosystem Revenue from tourism Revenue from tourism Seal-Watching City Lifeguards estimate over 1.5 million visitors annually City Lifeguards estimate over 1.5 million visitors annually Budget Vacations Magazine: Lists seals as #6 of 25 reasons people come to San Diego Budget Vacations Magazine: Lists seals as #6 of 25 reasons people come to San Diego Tour/Educational Buses Seal Education Programs San Diego Unified School District San Diego Unified School District UCSD, SDSU, USD UCSD, SDSU, USD Mesa College Mesa College Pt Loma Nazarene College Pt Loma Nazarene College Environmental organizations Environmental organizations Marine biologists/scientists Marine biologists/scientists Summary Human activities disrupt seal behavior Human activities disrupt seal behavior Casa Beach is a sensitive coastal resource which warrants seasonal restrictions to protect its marine mammals Casa Beach is a sensitive coastal resource which warrants seasonal restrictions to protect its marine mammals Please close Casa Beach during pupping season! Please close Casa Beach during pupping season!