Polls and surveys show the majority of people want the seals protected

Petitions to Support Seals 11,633 petitions signed in 2004 by residents and tourists to support seals 11,633 petitions signed in 2004 by residents and tourists to support seals –862 (7.5%) by La Jolla residents –3,740 (32%) by San Diego residents –7,893 (68%) by visitors outside San Diego

Over 40,000 signatures have been gathered at beach in support of protection for the seals!

2007 Zogby Poll 602 respondents 80% of San Diegans, 85% of La Jollans: 80% of San Diegans, 85% of La Jollans: –want beach used for educational seal watching, not swimming –support having rope up year round 91% of La Jollans want seals protected 91% of La Jollans want seals protected

2007 La Jolla Business Survey 506 business respondents 65% supported having a rope up year round to protect seals and visitors 65% supported having a rope up year round to protect seals and visitors 5% opposed 5% opposed 30%: no opinion or supported protecting seals but felt they should take a neutral position 30%: no opinion or supported protecting seals but felt they should take a neutral position

Survey on Children Survey on Children 2007 survey of >400 L J school children showed >90% would rather watch seals than swim there 2007 survey of >400 L J school children showed >90% would rather watch seals than swim there In 1999, a 10-year-old girl surveyed her entire school in L J; 90% of 1,024 students overwhelmingly supported the seals In 1999, a 10-year-old girl surveyed her entire school in L J; 90% of 1,024 students overwhelmingly supported the seals

Marine Mammal Education Programs at La Jolla Harbor Seal Rookery San Diego City Schools San Diego City Schools UCSD UCSD SDSU SDSU Mesa College Mesa College Pt Loma Nazarene College Pt Loma Nazarene College Environmental organizations Environmental organizations

Seals on Tourism Ads Budget Vacations Magazine lists Seals #6 of 25 reasons people visit SD Budget Vacations Magazine lists Seals #6 of 25 reasons people visit SD Night and Day (weekly events) Night and Day (weekly events) –seals on cover for Buick Open 6/08 SD and LJ Chamber of Commerce SD and LJ Chamber of Commerce La Jolla Visitor’s Guide La Jolla Visitor’s Guide Scuba and Kayak pamphlets Scuba and Kayak pamphlets Tour buses Tour buses

Revenue from Tourism in Multimillions! Lifeguards estimate of visitors in 2010 Lifeguards estimate of visitors in ,788,100 visitors, average 149,000/month If each visitor spent just $5, revenue is $8,940,500/yr; if $10, $17,881,100/yr If each visitor spent just $5, revenue is $8,940,500/yr; if $10, $17,881,100/yr –A random pilot study of 100 visitors (tourists and locals) showed an average revenue over $200 per person!

BBC Documentary on Wildlife filmed March 2001 “The harbor seals of LJ are amongst less than a handful of colonies in the world which have adapted to modern civilization; hardly anywhere is it possible to view these shy marine mammals at close range.” “The harbor seals of LJ are amongst less than a handful of colonies in the world which have adapted to modern civilization; hardly anywhere is it possible to view these shy marine mammals at close range.” “We back the recent decision of CC” as this rookery “is highly valuable to tourism, educational and recreational purposes.” “We back the recent decision of CC” as this rookery “is highly valuable to tourism, educational and recreational purposes.”