San Diego Asks NOAA to Enforce Sea Lion Protections

City and state officials and a congressman requested federal enforcement help at La Jolla Cove after a sea lion attack.

Updated on Nov. 2, 2026 in Law Enforcement

Several sea lions rest on a dark wet rocky outcrop with surf breaking around them below a sandstone cliff on the Southern California coast. — San Diego officials asked NOAA Fisheries on Oct. 22 for federal enforcement at La Jolla Cove, seeking delegated authority to enforce the Marine Mammal Protection Act after a sea lion attack. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Should local park rangers be given authority to ticket people who harass sea lions?

Officials including San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria and Congressman Scott Peters submitted a letter to NOAA Fisheries on Oct. 22 requesting federal enforcement presence at La Jolla Cove. The request also seeks delegated authority for the city to enforce the Marine Mammal Protection Act.

Why it matters

Sea lions are federally protected, but city park rangers lack jurisdiction to enforce the law, so they can only refer potential harassment cases to NOAA. Repeated offenders and visitors who ignore ranger direction limit how effective local staff can be.

Tyler Muehl, 18, pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor violation of the Marine Mammal Protection Act for attacking a sea lion on July 22. The city has asked NOAA to provide enforcement at La Jolla Cove, and NOAA's response has not been announced.

The players

NOAA Fisheries

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's fisheries division, the federal agency with sole authority to enforce the Marine Mammal Protection Act.

Todd Gloria

The mayor of San Diego, who signed the letter requesting federal enforcement at La Jolla Cove.

Scott Peters

The U.S. congressman who signed the letter and represents the La Jolla area.

The details

A video posted publicly in July appeared to show a person chasing and kicking a sea lion above La Jolla Cove. The idea of seeking NOAA assistance was first broached at the Oct. 8 California Coastal Commission meeting before the letter was sent.

July 22: Tyler Muehl attacked a sea lion on a sea wall.
July: Video of the attack was posted publicly.
Oct. 8: Enforcement idea was discussed at the Coastal Commission meeting.
Oct. 22: Letter requesting enforcement help was submitted to NOAA Fisheries.

Legal Context

The Marine Mammal Protection Act makes only NOAA agents able to enforce its terms, leaving city park rangers to refer violations up the chain. Violations may be punished by fines or jail time, a framework that local officials are now asking NOAA to help apply at La Jolla Cove.

Visitors to La Jolla Cove may see changed enforcement if NOAA agrees to the request, but until then city rangers can only educate and refer cases. Residents and beachgoers should expect the existing rules protecting sea lions to remain in force.

The takeaway

Federal protection of sea lions depends on federal agents, so local enforcement gaps can persist until a request like this one is answered. Visitors can help by keeping their distance from marine mammals and following ranger directions.