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Protect Marine Mammals From Human Cruelty
Final signature count: 795
795 signatures toward our 30,000 goal
Sponsor: Free The Ocean
A federal law has protected seals and sea lions since 1972. Most beachgoers have never heard of it.
Wild seals and sea lions have hauled out on the beaches of La Jolla, California for generations — resting, nursing pups, warming themselves in the sun. They share that coastline with millions of visitors every year. That proximity has become dangerous for the animals.
Two Cases That Made National Headlines
In August 2026, an 18-year-old from La Jolla pleaded guilty to a federal misdemeanor after video showed him kicking a sea lion on the beach at Ellen Browning Scripps Park.3 The footage went viral. Federal prosecutors moved quickly. What struck many observers wasn't just the act itself — it was how casually it happened, in broad daylight, in front of other people.1,2
Less than a year before that, a California man received a three-year federal prison sentence for a more brutal attack: repeatedly beating a sea lion with a metal rod. NOAA Fisheries called it one of the most serious prosecutions under the Marine Mammal Protection Act in recent memory.5
What the Law Actually Says
The Marine Mammal Protection Act has been federal law since 1972. It prohibits touching, feeding, chasing, kicking, or otherwise harassing wild marine mammals. NOAA Fisheries defines harassment broadly — any action that disrupts an animal's natural behavior, including resting, nursing, or breeding.7 Violations carry civil penalties up to $11,000 per incident, federal criminal charges, or both.
The law applies even when an animal seems calm. A sea lion that doesn't flee when approached isn't comfortable with the interaction — it may be too exhausted or sick to move.7
The Problem Is Bigger Than These Two Cases
High-profile prosecutions matter, but they represent a fraction of what actually happens at marine mammal haul-out sites across the country. Many incidents go unreported, unwitnessed, or unprosecuted.4 Coverage of the La Jolla guilty plea made one thing unmistakably clear: a large portion of the public had no idea that harassing a marine mammal was a federal crime at all.1,2,6
Effective enforcement depends on bystanders who recognize illegal behavior and report it, on local and coastal law enforcement who understand their role, and on visitors who know the rules before they ever approach an animal. Right now, all three of those conditions fall short.4,6
What Needs to Change
NOAA Fisheries maintains clear guidelines on lawful behavior around marine mammals, but public familiarity with those guidelines is inconsistent — especially at busy coastal sites where violations are most likely to occur.7 Visible signage, coordinated outreach, and stronger communication between federal authorities and local law enforcement could reduce incidents before they escalate to the point of prosecution.
These animals cannot speak for themselves or report what happens to them. That responsibility falls on us — and on the agencies with the authority to act.
Sign the petition now to urge NOAA Fisheries and coastal law enforcement agencies to expand public education at marine mammal haul-out sites and strengthen enforcement of the Marine Mammal Protection Act.
