Air dancers flailing but not failing in Dana Point Harbor

DANA POINT ― A county-sponsored experiment to deter sea lions from docks at Dana Point Harbor appears to be working, according to officials at OC Parks. The program is expected to continue into 2017. Air dancers were placed on various docks in Dana Point Harbor to deter sea lions since the beginning of summer. OC Parks has been looking at alternative ways to humanely discourage sea lions, or pinnipeds, from clambering and sprawling on boats and docks in the marina. Sea lions can cause damage, leave a mess and be rather aggressive when confronted. OC Parks expanded the air dancers’ pilot program throughout the harbor. “Initially [OC Parks] deployed three [air dancers] at the Harbor Patrol dock – as it was the most impacted by sea lions and it isn’t a high traffic area,” Marisa O’Neil, spokesperson for OC Parks, stated. “However, since then they have been deployed throughout the east marina.” Air dancers at Dana Point Harbor met with initial success but soon became a less effective means to deter sea lions from the docks, so multiple obstacles might be implemented in the long run, O’Neil told The Log in September. “The air dancers are one element of deterrent options, and initially the air...