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Updated: 11:43 AM PDT Mar 29, 2023Infinite Scroll Enabled

By Jake FloresPlay VideoSHOW TRANSCRIPT

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, Calif. —

Monterey County officials are warning people to stay away from the marine wildlife, as sea otters, seals, and other mammals on the Central Coast have been under duress due to human interactions.

Marine officials say it is natural to see these marine mammals and want to interact with them, but experts are saying to keep away from them, especially when you’re close to the shore

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As new data from the marine mammal center shows that there were 30 confirmed cases of harassment of seals, otters and sea lions in San Luis Obispo County in 2022. As for here on the central coast, there are, on average, 444 disturbances a year at Elkhorn, according to the Monterey Bay national marine sanctuary

“It’s incredibly tempting to want to get close and be able to watch them up close. but we need to remember that this is their home as well, said Dan Haifley from the Monterey bay national marine sanctuary foundation. So if we allow them to go about their business, do what their doing, live their lives, we can enjoy viewing them from a safe distance.”

Officials say that by law, beach visitors have to keep a distance of at least 50 feet from species protected by the marine mammal protection act.

https://www.ksbw.com/article/harassment-of-coastal-wildlife-rising-on-the-central-coast-experts-say/43455869#:~:text=Harassment%20of%20coastal,mammal%20protection%20act.