Updated

Updated · NBC San Diego · Jul 26

NOAA Probes Video of Man Kicking Protected Sea Lion at La Jolla Cove, Risking $30,000 Fines

Updated

Updated · NBC San Diego · Jul 26

NOAA Probes Video of Man Kicking Protected Sea Lion at La Jolla Cove, Risking $30,000 Fines

Q: Will the unidentified man caught kicking a sea lion at La Jolla Cove face the massive $30,000 federal fine and jail time?

Not yet, and possibly not at all unless investigators can identify him and build a prosecutable case. Federal officials at NOAA are investigating the viral video because sea lions are protected under the Marine Mammal Protection Act, which bans harassment and injury of marine mammals. That law can allow civil penalties of more than $30,000 per violation and, in some cases, criminal charges that carry possible jail time. But those are maximum potential penalties, not automatic ones. At this stage, authorities have only said the case is under investigation. The man in the video has not been publicly identified, NBC News has not independently verified the footage, and NOAA has not announced charges, a citation, or a referral for prosecution. Whether he faces a large fine or jail will depend on what investigators can prove: that the incident happened as reported at La Jolla Cove, that the person can be identified, and that the conduct meets the federal standard for unlawful harassment or injury. Evidence such as the original video, witness statements, timestamps, and any identifying details could matter. Past wildlife cases show that enforcement is possible, but not every incident ends in the maximum penalty. So the most accurate answer is that he could face a federal fine and even jail time under the law, but there is no public indication yet that those penalties have been imposed or that charges have been filed.

3 articles · Updated · NBC San Diego · Jul 26

NOAA is reviewing viral Instagram and Snapchat footage that appears to show a young man harassing and kicking a California sea lion shortly before midnight Wednesday at La Jolla Cove.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service said NOAA is leading the case to determine whether criminal charges are warranted, while San Diego police urged anyone with relevant information to contact the agency.
La Jolla Cove uses a low wall and daily city park ranger patrols to keep visitors away from the protected animals, but tour guides and advocates say people already get too close.
Breeding season is approaching, raising concern about disturbance at the cove, as tourists, the Sierra Club's Seal Society and San Diego's mayor push for prosecution under federal marine-mammal protections.