One popular La Jolla area is now reopen to the public.
The Children's Pool in La Jolla closed in December for harbor seal pupping season. The pool reopened to the public on Saturday, May 16.
The sandy base of the bluffs, rocks, breakwater and lower staircase were closed to the public since mid-December. The closure was meant to provide special protection for the mother seals during pupping season, when the animals are more vulnerable, and for the safety of the public.
The closure in December came after the California Coastal Commission approved the City of San Diego's request for closure in August. The city is supposed to monitor the area carefully while it's closed, as well as keep a record of the number of seals, tide and weather conditions and instances of seal harassment by beachgoers. Records of warnings and citations issued during the off season is also required.
The seawall remained open throughout, as well as the walkway atop the bluff, east of the pool, but construction of the La Jolla Lifeguard Station may cause intermittent disruptions in accessibility.
The news comes as a slew of sea lion rescues in the first part of 2015. SeaWorld San Diego has rescued more than 400 sea lions so far this year. That number is more than twice the number of marine mammal rescues the park averages in a typical year, the park said.
SeaWorld also announced it's in the process of constructing two temporary pool for the rescued sea lions.
Local
Several pups rescued this year have been found in poor condition, with some weighing around 20 pounds. Typically, sea lion pups weigh 50 to 60 pounds.
