Controversy over beach access restrictions at an urban coastal seal rookery: Exploring the drivers of conflict escalation and endurance at Children's Pool Beach in La Jolla, CA

Coastal urbanization and the recovery of many marine species has caused human interactions with marine wildlife to become more common, sometimes resulting in conflict. In La Jolla, CA, the increasing presence of Pacific harbor seals at Children's Pool Beach (CPB) resulted in a 25 year conflict over appropriate beach use. Drawing on archival analysis, stakeholder interviews, and beach-goer surveys, we present a history of the conflict and explore the drivers that have enabled the conflict's escalation and endurance. Many factors influence people's polarized views about seals at CPB, including personal values and sense of identity, differing perceptions of what is natural at CPB, the threat of change and loss of beach access, and underlying inter-personal conflict. Politicization and inaction during the early stages of the conflict also precluded conflict resolution and contributed the conflict's escalation. While overt conflict has decreased in recent years, polarized views about seals at CPB and legal challenges continue. In order to prevent conflict escalation and persistence, it is important that coastal managers work to address conflict over marine wildlife early and decisively. We present suggestions regarding minimally controversial management measures that could be undertaken early in a conflict, and suggest that managers prioritize commonly held values to facilitate stakeholder dialogue. While it may not be possible to generate solutions that appeal to all stakeholders, understanding the values and cultural frameworks driving conflict is an important first step toward understanding and generating workable solutions to conflict over wildlife.

Automated summary

Coastal urbanization and recovery of marine species have increased human interactions with marine wildlife, leading to conflicts such as the prolonged disagreement over beach use involving Pacific harbor seals at Children's Pool Beach in La Jolla, California. Factors influencing this conflict include personal values, differing perceptions of natural conditions at CPB, fear of change, and underlying inter-personal conflicts. Despite a decrease in overt conflict in recent years, disagreements over seal presence and legal issues persist, highlighting the importance of early and decisive conflict management by coastal managers.