Letters/Online Comments

Re: Docks with sea lion deterrents have been altered (Aug. 10-23 issue)

Electrocuting sea lions?
I appreciate The Log for covering this story. Not only do the docks I’ve seen have illegal nails along the docks, I’ve seen spikes as well on swim steps on boats with illegal sea lion deterrents. As for the article’s photograph with the thin line along the dock edge, they used solar panels on their docks or on the side of their boats to electrocute the sea lions. In no statement does NOAA say this is allowed to electrocute the sea lions/seals. A sea lion to go in the shock by these types of methods used, as well as a swimmer could also come up to the docks edge could be electrocuted as well. What type of people would do this? They should be fined to the full extent of the law.

Newport Harbor Yacht Club should not be allowed to run moorings in Newport Harbor being that they’re secured to the City of Newport Beach, which are public Waterways as well.

The front page shows a boat named Second Wind with spikes on the transom of the boat with a Newport Harbor Yacht Club membership. Originally, I came to The Log regarding the nails along the edges of the docks because I was kicked out of the yacht club for stating that it is wrong with they’re doing and lost my job there because the owner was a member and was afraid to lose his yacht club status. I’m being told I’ll be kicked off The Yacht Club property – “we can do what we want because we have so many lawyers here.” Unbelievable!

If you’re more interested in finding out more about the health and welfare of sea lions and seals, you should visit the Pacific Marine Mammal Center in Laguna Beach. They typically have over 70 sea lions and seals there for injuries or malnutrition that happened from the Oceanside to LA County.
Eric Grandia

Effective, safe and legal sea lion deterrents
I once had leased a small marina that had both seagulls and sea lions all over it. Best compliant deterrent was a battery activated sprinkler that did need to have city water available, but worked great. Turned on every two hours for one minute.
Jim

Re: Avalon bans single-use straws, other plastic items (Aug. 10-23 issue)

8.3 billion plastic straws pollute the world’s beaches
Plastic straws are plummeting into ocean waters, where they are harming fish and aquatic life. One study published earlier this year estimated as many as 8.3 billion plastic straws pollute the world’s beaches. Eight million tons of plastic flow into the ocean every year, and straws comprise 0.025 percent of that. This link https://bit.ly/2MuLod5 may give you more insight on why plastic straws should be banned. Kudos to Avalon for taking a stand and setting a responsible example for the rest of humanity.
Grant

Are plastic straws really an issue?
Plastic Straw bans are making news based on what? Are plastic straws an issue? How much of an issue? Is this just politics and a waste of time or something worth pursuing? Are there any investigative reporters out there?
Tim Lincoln

Re: Santa Barbara subcommittee to be formed to survey sea level rise (Aug. 10-23 issue)

Keeping Santa Barbara’s citizens informed
Thanks for keeping the citizen of Santa Barbara informed on the work Harbor Commission on Sea rise – it is hard even at a local level to keep track of this info
Wesley W. Roe