Swimming with sea lions banned in Espíritu Santo for the summer

From June 1 to August 31, swimming and diving with sea lions will be prohibited in Los Islotes, in the Espíritu Santo Archipelago Marine Zone National Park. According to Fernando Elorriaga Verplancken, researcher of the Interdisciplinary Center of Marine Sciences of the National Polytechnic Institute (CICIMAR-IPN), this measure is related to the reproduction and breeding period of the California sea lion.

The expert stated that this restriction has been applied every summer for about six years. Its purpose is to protect both tourists and sea lions, as the males tend to be aggressive during their breeding season. He pointed out that they have even bitten swimmers in the past.

The researcher mentioned that the measure also aims to avoid disturbances among the sea lion colony, which would affect the pups. Every year, between 180 and 200 sea lions are born in Los Islotes.

“This can cause a stampede to a greater or lesser extent, but yes, a sudden movement of animals and this can affect the newborns, who can be crushed or forcibly taken into the water, and it is worth mentioning that sea lion newborns do not know how to swim when they are born at this time.