Sea lions force temporary closure of San Carlos Beach in Monterey
MONTEREY, Calif. —
San Carlos Beach has been temporarily closed due to sea lions returning to the beach.
The City of Monterey announced the closure on Thursday and explained that sea lions use beaches in the area as a resting point between their breeding grounds in the Channel Islands and Northern California.
The city is asking the public to stay at least 150 feet away from the sea lions.
Sea lions are a protected species under the Marine Mammal Protection Act. It is against the law to harass, pursue, injure or potentially cause injury to them.
The public can report a sick, injured or abandoned marine mammal by calling the Marine Mammal Center Hotline at 415-289-7325. This includes sea lions, seals and sea otters.