Shark Fishermen "Disturb" Seal Pups At La Jolla’s Children's Pool Beach Amid Seasonal Closure

San Diego's Children's Pool Beach, originally created as a safe swimming area for underprivileged children but now primarily serving as a protected habitat for harbor seals, was the site of controversy on February 23 when a pair of fishermen who caught a sizable shark disturbed mother seals and their newborn pups.

Videos taken around 7:40am show two fishermen on the closed beach, brandishing a three-foot-long shark and causing seals to scatter. The Sierra Club Seal Society, which advocates for the site's protection, is now raising concerns over the disturbance and its impact on the vulnerable seal population.

According to an eyewitness, the fishermen arrived carrying large lures, "the size of a man's hand", before walking out onto the seawall. Moments later, one of the men climbed down onto the beach - which is closed through May 15 for seal pupping season - dragging a large shark behind him.

Collins recalled that the fishermen attempted to remove a large hook, posed for photos with the shark, and then tossed it back into the water. However, the shark washed up again shortly after, suggesting it had not survived.

The San Diego Police Department was called, and officers arrived on the scene, but no citations were issued. Instead, the fishermen received a warning and were instructed to leave the closed beach area.

Officers reportedly documented the individuals on a Field Interview form, after which they were directed to depart. However, once the officers departed, the fishermen allegedly resumed fishing from the seawall - which remains legal, even though access to the beach itself is restricted during pupping season.

According to a Seal Society representative, the group's primary concern is the stress caused to the resting seal mothers and their pups. The disturbance sent the pinnipeds into the water in fear, potentially leading to separation or abandonment of newborns. The Seal Society is urging the public to respect the seasonal beach closure and to refrain from engaging in activities that disturb the seals.

The Children's Pool Beach, located in La Jolla, was originally established in 1931 when philanthropist Ellen Browning Scripps funded the construction of a seawall to create a protected cove for children to safely swim. However, over the years, harbor seals began using the area for pupping, leading to ongoing disputes over beach access.Ìý

In recent years, the City of San Diego has designated the site as a protected seal habitat, enforcing seasonal closures during pupping season to ensure the safety and well-being of the animals. While some residents and visitors advocate for shared access, others - especially environmental and wildlife organizations - push for continued protections, citing the vulnerability of the seal population.

The latest incident highlights the ongoing tensions between human recreation and wildlife conservation at The Children's Pool. While fishing from the seawall remains permitted, the Seal Society and other advocates are calling for greater enforcement of seasonal restrictions to prevent disruptions to the seals during critical periods. As pupping season continues through May 15, local authorities and wildlife organizations are urging beachgoers to respect the closures and prioritize the protection of the harbor seals that now call The Children's Pool home.

For more information on the site's regulations and conservation efforts, visit .