Harbor Seals in La Jolla

The fecal matter from the harbor seals in La Jolla does affect human activity. In 1931; the La Jolla Cove was dedicated to the children of San Diego by Ellen B. Scripps. A colony of Pacific harbor seals began to colonize the cove in the mid 1990’s. Seals inhabiting the cove used it to rest, socialize, give birth and nurture their young. The sea wall provided protection from strong ocean currents and provided a peaceful location for them to breed. Travel to La Jolla and rest your arms on the corroded railing at the top of the sea wall jutting out into the open sea. Don’t be frightened, the harbor seals below will not bite you. The wall is approximately 10 feet high above them. Unfortunately, harbor seals release fecal matter into the water which can adversely affect any human who comes in contact with it. The harbor seals can excrete bacteria in their urine. The water has a heavy concentration of bacteria in it so people are more likely to develop infections if they swim in it. If the water is swallowed, there is a potential risk of Colitis. There are signs warning people not to swim in the cove with the seals. The seals presence has stirred up controversy with the locals. What used to be called the “La Jolla Children’s Pool” is now referred to as the “La Jolla Seal Cove”.

Not only can a person come down with an inner ear infection from swimming in contaminated water, one can contract Colitis. This illness can be caused by a parasite present in contaminated water. It is an inflammatory disease that can affect the large intestine. It can infect the inside lining of the intestinal walls. General symptoms include intense abdominal pain, fatigue, fever and diarrhea. Infected persons can be bothered by cramps, gas, bloating, indigestion and heartburn. Since Colitis can cause a serious infection, antibiotics can be administered to help get rid of the disease. Engaging in water sports or activities which exposes a person to fecal matter left in sea water by seals can result in getting this disease. In severe cases, a person can be hospitalized. Swimmers are often not aware of the contamination in sea water which is the result of sea lions and harbor seals contaminating beaches all along the coast. In severe cases, it can cause loss of appetite and weight loss. Symptoms can usually appear a few days after a person has been exposed to contaminated water. Children can be particularly susceptible to becoming ill with this disease as their immune systems are not fully developed.

After the arrival of the seals, marine biologists studying the harbor seals conducted important tests concerning the concentration of bacterial levels in the water. Bacterial contamination of sea water by the marine life can cause serious diseases for humans and other mammals. One such serious disease is Leptospirosis. It was first described by a German doctor, Adolf Weil, in 1886. In the beginning, it can cause flu-like symptoms such as fever, chills, muscle aches, vomiting and diarrhea. Seals can be carriers of these bacteria without showing symptoms. Swimmers and surfers are at high risk of getting this disease if they swallow contaminated water or splash infected water into their eyes or nose. The bacteria can pass through a person’s mucus membranes or cuts in the skin. This disease is not only present in infected marine animals but it can also be spread by infected rodents, cats, dogs or other mammals. The main reason children should not swim in the contaminated water of the cove is because of the potential illnesses children can get from exposure to contaminated water.

In 1998, there was a triathlon and 834 people swam in contaminated water, 98 people (12%) developed Leptospirosis infections. This illness is also known as Weil’s disease. Leptospirosis can cause mild to severe illness. Symptoms can appear a few weeks after swimming in contaminated water. Leptospirosis is caused by a microorganism, the spirochete bacterium. Symptoms can affect almost every major organ and can cause kidney failure, hemorrhage, acute respiratory distress and even an inflammation of the heart muscle called myocarditis. There is an article from the Monterey Herald about Leptospirosis in seals and below that is an article from a website called Up to Date. This is a website that educates doctors about this disease. It’s a known fact that Weil’s disease can spread at an alarming rate and can severely affect large swarms of marine life every year. There was an outbreak in 2004 in which 45 % of all seals tested were diagnosed with Leptospirosis – compared to 4.5 % of seals tested in 2003. Therefore, it’s best to stay away from the water that could be contaminated by seals.

This colony of Pacific harbor seals has been laying around on the shores of the Children’s Pool for a quite a number of years. I am eager to learn more about the consequences of their presence at the La Jolla Cove. This has become a big issue among some members of the public. Their presence has stirred up some trouble. La Jolla councilman, Scott Peters, would like for the Cove to be used by both people and Harbor Seals. That may not be possible because seals are shy by nature and do like to be approached by humans. They are primarily protected from harassment by the Marine Mammal Act. Some people have been debating whether or not the seals should remain in the children’s pool or leave. No one wants to swim in the water when you can have a potential risk of fatal diseases like Colitis and Leptospirosis. Some people are trying to reclaim the Children’s pool for use by humans who want to go there to sunbathe, swim and snorkel. Some have even suggested using the recording of barking dogs so that the noise can drive the seals away. A superior court judge, Timothy Taylor, recently ruled that the seals can remain. Some animal rights activists who support marine life were very happy that the seals were allowed to stay. This area should be turned into a wildlife sanctuary for people from all over the world to visit. Up to 100,000 people per month flock to the Children’s Pool Beach to see the seals up close.

Citations:

1. Elhams, Osamah K. Media Saves the testing Data. Raw data. La Jolla, San Diego. 26 Nov. 2009.

2. Lipin, Howard, ed. "Seals have their day at court: a 'great victory'" Letters to the editor [San Diego] 18 Nov. 2009, Morning ed., B7 sec.: 1-1.

3. Stock, D., ed. "Children's Pool, La Jolla, California." Children's Pool, La Jolla, California [La Jolla] 8 Nov. 2009: 1-2. Print.