Docks with sea lion deterrents have been altered
August 23, 2018
Nails used as spikes on the perimeter of docks in Newport Harbor were removed, but is the replacement legal?
NEWPORT BEACH — A group of floating docks near Newport Harbor Yacht Club in Newport Beach, which previously had the sharp end of nails used as stakes along their perimeter, were removed. The Log reported on the docks in our June 15-28 issue, showing images of the sharp end of nails sticking upwards and spaced closely together along the perimeter of each dock. Newport Beach city staff was quoted in our coverage, stating the nails used as stakes were an illegal sea lion deterrent.
Visiting the Floating Docks
The Log navigated to the floating docks on Aug. 16 to visually determine whether the nails were still there. None of the docks were spiked with nails (sharpened side up). At least two of the docks had minimal defense measures. There appeared to be a thin wire wrapped around the perimeter, elevated about one inch above the dock and held up with small screws (sharp end down).
Two of the docks had a pair of wooden bars with jagged/pointed edges at the top at its far ends (see photos). The alternative deterrent measures appear to be an improvement from the nails-as-stakes defense mechanism. Whether the wooden bars are consistent with city code and federal policy, however, is yet to be determined. The city of Newport Beach did force the owner of the floating docks to remove the nail stakes. Would city officials consider these wooden bars with a jagged-edged top to also be a violation of city code? Is this a second violation of law? These answers have not yet been answered by city officials?
The Log observed at least one boat at the docks with NHYC – or Newport Harbor YC – designated as its home base.
NOAA: Approved and Unapproved Deterrents
The question is whether the jagged edged wooden bars would be considered legal within federal guidelines for sea lion deterrents (as established by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, or NOAA).
NOAA specifically lists objects that are sharp and pointed as a deterrent to avoid using.
Deterrent measures deemed “appropriate” by NOAA are:
- Closely spaced posts
- Bull rails
- Netting
- Swim step protector
- Flags
- Pinwheels
- Streamers
- Flashing lights or strobes
- Balloons
- Horns
- Whistles
- Bells
- Clapping or banging on pots, pans or drums
- Music
- Bird screamers.
Guard dogs, firearms with live/lethal ammunition, archery gear, crossbows, spear guns, bangsticks, harpoons, spears, gaffs, nail-studded bats/poles/clubs and tainted baits or poisons are not permissible sea lion deterrents.
Legality and Enforcement
The Log is inquiring as to whether the current deterrents on the floating docks are legal. Sources familiar with Newport Beach city codes and NOAA’s approved/unapproved deterrent measures did not immediately respond to The Log’s questions.
Sea lions, as mentioned in The Log’s June 15-28 issue, “are a protected species under federal law (Marine Mammal Protection Act, or MMPA).
“Anyone who has questions on best techniques to deter sea lions should contact their local harbor patrol or law enforcement office,” The Log’s initial article on sea lion deterrents stated. “NOAA’s West Coast Fisheries office in Long Beach is also available for advisement or guidance; the office can be reached at 562-980-4050.”
Newport Beach staff confirmed they responded to the report of spiked nails used as a sea lion deterrent on the floating docks near Newport Harbor YC. The Log reported the floating docks to city officials just prior to our coverage in the June 15-28 issue. City code does address legal and illegal sea lion deterrent practices.
“The report of the nails on the floating dock was responded to promptly and the nails have been removed,” Mary Locey, a spokesperson for Newport Beach, told The Log in an email. “The Harbor Department staff is actively patrolling the harbor. As code violations are witnessed or reported, staff is following the city’s established protocols to gain compliance by issuing a notice of violation. If the violation is not cleared, a citation can be issued which includes a fine starting at $100 and up to $500.”
Locey added the city’s Harbor Department works with city staff to address code violations within Newport Beach Harbor.
“The City Council approved the creation of the Harbor Department on July 10,” Locey stated in her email to The Log. “One of the first steps was to temporarily relocate the city’s Code Enforcement Supervisor to work with and train the department’s staff on addressing code violations in the harbor.”
Lt. Christopher Corn added code enforcement in the harbor is the responsibility of city and county officials.
“Both the city code enforcement and the Sheriff’s Harbor Patrol have the authority to enforce city municipal codes in the harbor,” Corn stated in an email to The Log.
Parimal M. Rohit photos
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I once had leased a small marina that had both seagulls and sea lions all over it. Best compliant deterrent was a battery activated sprinkler that did need to have city water available, but worked great. Turned on every two hours for one minute.
I appreciate The Log Newspaper for covering this story. Not only the docks I’ve seen have illegal nails along the docks I’ve seen spikes as well on swim steps on boats with illegal Sea lion deterrence. As for the article photograph with the Thin Line along the dock edge, they used solar panels on their docks or on the side of their boats to electrocute the sea lions. And in no statement NOAA says this is allowed to electrocute the Sea Lions / Seals. A sea lion to go in the shock literally by these types of methods used, as well as a swimmer that could come up to the docks edge could be electrocuted as well. What type of people would do this. They should be fined to the full extent of the law. Newport Harbor Yacht Club should not be allowed to run Moorings in Newport Harbor being that they’re secured to the City of Newport Beach. Are public Waterways as well. On the front page shows a boat named Second Wind sailboat with spikes on the transom of the boat with a Newport Harbor Yacht Club membership. Originally I came to the log newspaper regarding the Nails along the edges of the docks because I was kicked out of the yacht club for stating that is wrong with their doing and lost my job well that I work on there because the owner was a member and was afraid to lose his yacht club status. I’m being told I’ll be kicked off The Yacht Club property we can do what we want because we have so many lawyers here. Unbelievable! If you’re more interested in finding that offer Health and Welfare of Sea Lions and Seals you should visit the Pacific Marine Mammal Center in Laguna Beach. They typically have over 70 sea lions and seals there injuries of malnutrition that happened from the Oceanside to LA County line and it’s work full time volunteers.
I am glad they are making improvements to the past archaic seal / sea lion detterents. It is understandable to want to keep the floating docks clean, but not at the cost of seriously injuring the marine mammals. Kudos to Mr. Eric Grandia Who was instrumental in bringing this matter to the attention of the proper authorities.
What?
The Newport Harbor Yacht Club is not going to have baby seal BBQs anymore?