Santa Monica Evaluates Pier Netting Removal

City officials are weighing options for bird-deterrent netting that has become a hazard for local pigeons.

Updated on Oct. 16, 2026 in Bird Watching

Bold vector editorial illustration showing weathered netting hanging from wooden pier pilings, representing local municipal infrastructure concerns. — Santa Monica officials are evaluating the removal of damaged bird-deterrent netting from under the pier following reports of entangled pigeons. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Should cities prioritize bird welfare over infrastructure intended to keep local water clean?

Santa Monica is currently evaluating the removal of damaged bird-deterrent netting from beneath the Santa Monica Pier. The infrastructure, intended to improve water quality, has instead become a site where pigeons are frequently found entangled.

Why it matters

The netting was originally installed to prevent bird droppings from contributing to bacterial pollution in local waters. Its current state of disrepair not only fails to achieve this environmental goal but has prompted significant animal welfare concerns.

A recent site visit beneath the pier uncovered 20 dead pigeons trapped in the compromised netting. City officials have been aware of the deteriorating infrastructure since October 2025.

The players

Santa Monica Public Works Department

This municipal agency is responsible for the oversight and maintenance of city infrastructure, including the pier.

Heal the Bay

This non-profit environmental organization focuses on protecting the health of the Santa Monica Bay and local watersheds.

The details

The Public Works Department is currently assessing the netting, which was installed in 2023, to determine the next steps for mitigation or replacement. While bird wiring is being considered as a potential long-term solution, the city remains in the evaluation phase regarding the current system's removal.

2006: Initial studies identified birds as contributors to local bacterial pollution.
2023: The city completed the installation of the current replacement netting.
October 2025: City officials first acknowledged awareness of the damaged netting.
July 2026: Heal the Bay formed a task force to investigate pier water quality.
October 13, 2026: A researcher formally raised animal welfare concerns during a city council meeting.

Culture Shift

The current evaluation of the netting follows a pattern of concern established during the 2024 Clean Beaches Committee meeting report on pier bird access. This reflects a growing intersection between municipal infrastructure maintenance and modern urban animal welfare standards.

Residents and visitors may notice maintenance activities beneath the Santa Monica Pier as the city determines the future of the netting. The outcome of this evaluation will likely influence future city policies regarding environmental controls and wildlife interaction at the site.

The takeaway

The situation at the pier highlights the complex balance between managing environmental pollutants and ensuring that infrastructure does not inadvertently cause harm to local wildlife. Stakeholders interested in local bird welfare should continue to monitor upcoming city council agendas for project updates.