AT ISSUE: Barking sea lions in the...

AT ISSUE: Barking sea lions in the harbor are keeping some residents

up at night, and the marine mammals have even been blamed for sinking

a boat. Who’s invading whose space?

After reading the article “Wearing out welcome” in Friday’s Daily

Pilot, I have the following comments:

So what if the sea lions who make Newport Harbor their home are

barking? That’s what sea lions do.

We are extremely fortunate to be living in such a beautiful place,

surrounded by the harbor, the ocean and waterways, where protected

mammals and other aquatic life can flourish in a marine environment.

In fact, I believe they were here long before we were. As for harbor

residents saying the sea lions are destroying property and peace and

quiet, well, the sea lions live here too. Were the residents unaware

of their surroundings when they purchased their homes?

As for the person who said she can hardly stand the noise and,

“They’re making it impossible for the people that live here to

sleep,” I suggest she invest in ear plugs and over-the-counter sleep

medication, both of which are readily available at any local drug

store. My husband and I also hear the sea lions; we enjoy listening

to them and have no problem falling asleep.

As for the sea lions climbing the swim steps, and sunbathing on

the boat decks, and sinking a 37-foot sailboat that was at a mooring:

What condition was the sailboat in? And when was the last time it

actually moved from its mooring and was sailed? Most of those boats

are seldom, if ever, used. Maybe the owners who are concerned could

cover their swim steps to prevent the sea lions from climbing aboard.

Now there’s a novel idea!

Don’t harm the sea lions, and don’t blame the Harbor Patrol. The

sea lions are protected under federal law, and the harbor patrol is

upholding the law.

Remember, we have chosen and are fortunate enough to reside in an

incredibly beautiful marine environment, and the sea lions are

protected mammals, so either fully appreciate where we live for all

it has to offer or move.

LUANN JALET

Balboa Peninsula

I think it’s just appalling that you would even print something

like this at the time of Hurricane Katrina.

People are so worried about their boats. They could put some

people who are homeless and who lost everything on the boats to keep

the sea lions off.

Think about others, and maybe think about feeding some people from

the Gulf Coast or bringing them to sit on the boats. Did they ever

think about that?

TONY CHIACULAS

Newport Beach

We were talking about the sea lions when we were playing tennis

today, and one of the guys said, “Well, the people over there, tell

them to put some ear plugs in if they’re having trouble sleeping at

night.”

Otherwise, they’re quite nice to see and watch. I have a boat, and

if I’m around, I see them. I find them interesting. The kids all like

them, and they’re quite the tourist attraction.

The sea lions have been here a long time. And the people who moved

in subsequently, maybe they should move or get some ear plugs.

NEIL BEATTY

Balboa Island

I should think these animals could be picked up and relocated at

some sea-lion-friendly place, suitably distant. Otherwise, the Harbor

Patrol should post a permanent watch to shoo them off boats or any

other place they try to roost.

H. C. and JACKIE PIRKLE

Balboa Island

Let us not forget that the sea lions’ claim to Newport Harbor

predates ours by quite some time; to be fair, the only mammals guilty

of taking over the harbor are humans.

I can’t offer a solution -- besides earplugs -- for this problem.

I’d like to suggest, though, that out of respect to the Gulf Coast

residents who currently have sewage, bacteria and dead bodies

floating in their water, we might at least declare a brief moratorium

on complaining about the beautiful marine life living in ours.

ELIZA RUBENSTEIN

Costa Mesa

The sea lions have definitely worn out their welcome with me, and

I would like to see something done about it.

BARBARA WHITE

Newport Beach

We are all so privileged to be living in this beautiful area.

Along with that privilege comes the responsibility to respect the

ocean and the sea life in and around it.

SUSAN GROUX

Newport Beach