June 19, 2022

Temperature: 57 F. Cloud Cover: Partly Cloudy. Wind Velocity: Calm/Light. Tide Level: 10.3 feet.

Moderate amount of people and dogs; tidepoolers, surfers, hikers;

Reported sea lion pup to the Seaside Aquarium and tried to keep the public away; asked climbers to exit the rock; asked Eric Crum from OPRD what can be done to reduce driftwood fires; didn't comment on the urinating in public as it was a man and I didn't feel comfortable approaching him - I pretended ignorance.  I arrived around 11am and the pup had moved from the previous day's location out into the boulders closer to the water, and unfortunately, the tidepoolers. I called the Seaside Aquarium and agreed to move the sign to a more appropriate location and too keep and eye on him as I surveyed the black oystercatchers. As the day warmed up, the number of people approaching the sea lion pup (ignoring, or not seeing the sign) continued to increase until I left at about 1:45pm when a drizzle started. I was told by a woman who had also been visiting on Saturday afternoon/evening that despite the sign being between the pup and the public (yesterday the pup had been hidden by a log and positioned close to the cliff face), people had been "mobbing him" for hours. This morning (as well as yesterday morning) I was able to talk to people and explain that this pup did not need rescuing, that mothers regularly leave pups on the beach while they are out hunting and will return for them as long as we do not disturb them. Everyone I spoke to seemed grateful for the information and nobody continued to actively disturb the pup although some did sit quietly and watch, with which I decided not to argue.