What kind of a question is this?? It’s THEIR home! Newport Beach residents are basically living in their territory. If anything, Newport Beachers should be the ones to move.

I believe something should be done to control them. I don’t really care if someone has money or not, but since the city of NPB does have money, why not give a portion of the harbor to the sea lions with a dedicated dock. Once they get trained on where to go the boats and residents should find some peace. If something doesn’t happen it’ll get way out of control in more than one way.

This summer I haven’t seen what used to be a very common site in our bay - fish boils - nor have I seen any fish at all break the waters’ surface. This bay is not a natural support habitat for a high density population of aquatic carnivores. Their natural home is along the rocky coastal shores of our ocean. The ocean is capable of providing these 220 - 660 lb territorial mammals what they require in terms of food as well as an appropriate flushing system to handle the large volume of their daily excretions.

This isn’t a complaint against the flies, the odor, nor the white noise of vicious barking dogs. It is to point out that the ocean shore is the intended habitat of these sea lions. However, within the period of a few years they are opting out of their winter migration pattern in order to give their best fighting effort to protect a sliver of fiberglass domain aboard the dilapidated neglected sinking boats they are so fond of. They are not capable of determining that their crowded living quarters is placing excessive stress on the bay’s natural function and the resultant toxicity will bring an eventual die off amongst them. It is not in the sea lions’ best interest to provide a false sanctuary within the moorings of this bay and it is not in the best interest of this bays’ other fauna and flora to allow its waters to become a cesspool.

Secondly, to those who make statements about the sea lions owning the harbor, they are ignoring their own acts that displace natural wildlife. Almost anyone writing these comments most likely lives in a house that was once the natural habitat of countless animals and I am sure that they take measures to protect their private property and objects, even if they conflict with nature.

The problem is the seals and they are damaging property and creating a nuisance to the local residents. The solution is not to force boat owners to destroy their boats or remove their boats from the harbor. It is to work collectively to deter the seals from the harbor.

The mammal protection act is too strict and there are many non-lethal deterrents that are illegal that would be effective. This is an example of an ineffective law that does not comply with the natural laws of reality. Because they are protected, the seal populations have exploded in volume and at some point a great many will probably die due to “nature,” returning to its natural balance.

I will continue by asking two questions for readers to ponder:

1.) If the harbor government can legally “strong-arm” a boat owner into destroying their boat or by forcing them out of the harbor. Why don’t they have the authority to kick out seals?

2.) Hypothetically, if seals could invade your car, your home or another object that you considered property, while at the same time the government imposed fines against you or forced your home or property to be destroyed, would you honestly feel that the government was properly performing its function to preserve life, uphold justice and protect private property?

The affluent residents that are complaining about their lack of sleep have much influence and have the time and money required to pressure the local government into taking a “cheap shot” at the usually less affluent and legally undefended boat owners of the nearby moorings. The seals will only proceed to find another place to dry out and moan. It would be a more comprehensive solution and plan if the government could avoid imposing fines to boat owners and forcefully destroying their property and instead work cooperatively with the boat owners who are falling victim to this invasion. Even experts don’t seem to know the solution. Why would it make sense to put the brunt of the pressure on an average boat owner to know how to get rid of them when their hands are tied by an overly restrictive protection law?

The harbor belongs to the sea life, NOT the rich and famous of Newport Beach.