Mailbag: Rescuing sea lion pups interferes with natural selection

Re. “As more needy sea lions flood in, Marine Mammal Center gets help,” (Feb. 26):

I read with great interest the article on the overcrowding at the Pacific Marine Mammal Center of Laguna Beach. The article reports a “huge rise over the 2013 number” of sea lions brought in for treatment of dehydration and malnutrition.

As a local recreational fisherman, I can tell you there has been a sharp increase in the sea lion population in recent years.

Last year gave us one of the best fishing seasons in decades, and 2015 promises to follow suit.

An abundance of fish and bait was apparent up and down the California coast. The real reason for the overpopulation, and therefore the distressed sea lion pups, is facilities like the Pacific Marine Mammal Center. They insist on upsetting the balance of nature by “rescuing” sea lion pups.

The fact is that Mother Nature is a harsh mistress, and natural selection is part of the process to provide balance in the natural world, including the ocean. Could it be that cute mammals that look like your average pet Labrador are held in higher regard than, say, the bluefin tuna, which are being decimated worldwide because of commercial overfishing and greed fueled by a ridiculously high demand in the Asian market? This is but one of the many real threats to the world’s oceans.

It seems the mammal center is perpetuating the problem, creating more and more distressed sea lion pups by releasing so many back into the wild to reproduce and compete for the limited available food supply.

I would suggest that such organizations let nature take its course and turn their considerable talent and resources toward more pressing and worthy causes threatening our oceans.

Chris Casillas

Newport Beach

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Do not miss the special election

As usual, there is a lot going on in Newport-Mesa, and with all the hoopla and distractions, we risk missing perhaps the most important issue of the season.

A special election is being held March 17 to fill the vacated seat of state senator for District 37, and Newport Mesa residents have a very compelling reason to get to the polls and vote.

They have the opportunity to send Sacramento a clear-headed representative with a proven record for doing the right things to keep our county and state solvent and golden.

I speak of John Moorlach, longtime Costa Mesa resident and recent past county treasurer and supervisor.

Certainly, going to the polls for a single race is not high on most priority lists, but in this case we owe it to ourselves to vote by mail or in person.

For the first time in recent memory, we have an opportunity to send a good, thoughtful, diligent, honest and fearless advocate to do our bidding in the California Senate.

Eric Bever

Costa Mesa

The writer is a former Costa Mesa mayor.