MARINE MAMMAL COMMISSION - Annual Report for 1998 



compile information regarding human interactions 

 with both marine and terrestrial animals in the wild. 

 The Commission entered into a contract with the 

 Brookfield Zoo to conduct the review and produce a 

 database summarizing the results. The literature 

 review and accompanying database are expected to be 

 submitted in 1999. 



Interactions with Elephant Seals in California 



As northern elephant seals have recovered from 

 near-extinction caused by overharvesting in the late 

 1800s and early 1900s, they have begun to establish 

 colonies on beaches along the California mainland at 

 sites that are easily accessible to people. As their 

 presence and numbers on beaches have increased, they 

 have become major seasonal tourist attractions. 

 Beginning in 1978 elephant seals began appearing 

 infrequently at Piedras Blancas, California. Until 

 1990 their numbers remained low, never exceeding 

 more than two or three individuals at any one time. 

 In December 1990, however, more than 170 seals 

 were present, and by the following spring nearly 400 

 animals hauled out at that location. In 1992 the first 

 birth at Piedras Blancas was reported and by 1994 

 almost 300 births were recorded and more than 3,000 

 animals were present during the spring molting 

 season. As many as 5,000 elephant seals now arrive 

 during the spring molt, and more than 1,600 elephant 

 seals gave birth in 1998. 



Before 1992 most elephant seals used haul-out sites 

 on beaches at Piedras Blancas owned by the federal 

 government. However, that spring hundreds of seals 

 began using a beach south of Piedras Blancas where 

 control of beach access was substantially more diffi- 

 cult. In the spring of 1993, 150 seals began to use a 

 beach known as Campers Cove, which is visible and 

 readily accessible from the coastal highway. By 

 spring 1994 more than 1,100 animals were present, 

 and the beach quickly became a major seasonal tourist 

 attraction. Large numbers of cars were parked on the 

 shoulder of the road while people hiked down to the 

 beach to walk among the seals. 



Elephant seals can weigh more than 2,500 kg 

 (5,500 pounds) and move with surprising speed on 

 land as well as at sea. Therefore, by letter of 16 

 December 1994 to the California Department of Fish 



and Game, the Commission noted that it appeared 

 likely that someone would be seriously hurt or killed 

 by the seals or in a traffic accident along this congest- 

 ed stretch of highway. The Commission also noted 

 that dogs that accompany some visitors to the beach 

 are allowed to roam among the elephant seals, raising 

 concerns about possible disease transmission. 



In its letter, the Commission suggested that the 

 Hearst Corporation (which owns adjacent land), the 

 local state park authority, local law enforcement 

 agencies, the California Department of Transportation, 

 and the National Marine Fisheries Service discuss 

 steps to address the growing problem. In the 

 Commission's view, the state park department seemed 

 like the logical agency to take the lead in ensuring 

 public safety and enforcing the Marine Mammal 

 Protection Act's prohibition on marine mammal 

 harassment. The Commission therefore suggested that 

 the state park department seek an agreement with the 

 Hearst Corporation to allow park rangers access to the 

 bluffs on the Hearst property above the beaches for 

 interpretive tours. 



By letter of 11 January 1995 the California Depart- 

 ment of Fish and Game responded that it had verified 

 a problem with traffic congestion in the area when 

 elephant seals were using the beach and that the 

 Department of Transportation had posted the area as 

 a no-parking zone. The letter also noted that a 

 possible solution would be to station a federal agent in 

 the area when elephant seals are on the beach. 



Also in January 1995 the National Biological 

 Service's Piedras Blancas Research Station completed 

 a report indicating that motorists routinely park 

 illegally and walk along the beach among the seals. 

 The report noted significant potential for human injury 

 because large numbers of pregnant elephant seals, 

 female seals with pups, and large males occupy the 

 area. The danger of the situation was further substan- 

 tiated by Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary 

 staff, who also reported motorists disregarding posted 

 signs and stopping to walk among elephant seals. 

 According to the report, one tourist who approached 

 an elephant seal was bitten. 



In February 1995 representatives of the Hearst 

 Corporation expressed an interest in leasing portions 



190 



