NOAA’s Gulf of the Farallones National Marine Sanctuary warns beachgoers not to interfere with newborn harbor seal pups.

Newborn harbor seal pups, born in late winter and spring, could suffer permanent harm if someone not authorized for marine mammal rescue were to move them. Seals are also federally protected animals under the Marine Mammal Protection Act, and to interfere with one could incur legal penalties.

Each year, healthy harbor seal pups are separated from their mothers by people who mistake them for orphans. Harbor seal mothers normally leave their pups unattended on beaches while feeding at sea. They will later rejoin and nurse them. The presence of humans or dogs near a seal pup could prevent a mother seal from reuniting with her young one.

“The rule of thumb is, if a seal reacts to your presence – you’re too close,” said Jan Roletto, sanctuary marine biologist. “Avoid eye contact and back away slowly until they no longer notice you.”

The San Francisco-based Gulf of the Farallones National Marine Sanctuary, which manages sanctuary waters from Bodega Head south to Point Ano Nuevo, advises concerned beachgoers to report suspected orphaned or injured pups to a park ranger, or to one of the following facilities to assess the need for rescue:

• The Marine Mammal Center 415-289-SEAL (7325) (24 hrs.)
• Gulf of the Farallones National Marine Sanctuary 415-561-6622 x200

Approximately one-fifth of the state’s harbor seals live in the Gulf of the Farallones sanctuary, whose largest breeding grounds are Bolinas Lagoon and Tomales Bay. They haul out in groups ranging from a few to several hundred. Females generally give birth on sandy beaches or rocky reefs to a single pup, which nurses for three to four weeks.

The National Weather Service forecasts high surf until 11pm Monday night.

High surf advisory remains in effect from 11 am this morning to 11 pm pdt this evening…  Waves and surf: West-northwest swell of 13 to 15 feet (locally up to 16 feet) will impact the coastal north bay southward to the big sur coast.

Impacts: Large west-northwesterly swells locally in excess of 15 feet will create a dangerous near shore environment.

People visiting area beaches should use extra caution and expect rip currents in the surf zone. In addition minor coastal flooding will be possible.

A tsunami is expected to strike the Coastside between 7:30 and 8:00 am, driven by a magnitude 8.9 earthquake in Japan.

The National Weather Service forecasts that the amplitide of the tsunami is to be .78 meters at Half Moon Bay. By comparison, a tsunami of 2.2 meters amplitude was measured at Princeton in 1960.

San Mateo County is evacuating areas west of Highway 1 to higher ground. Evacuation areas are Farallone View Elementary School in Montara, Pescadero High School, and Terra Nova and Ocean High Schools in Pacifica.

The removal of the play structure will leave nearly 5,000 Coastside kids under the age of 15 without a place to play.  The CMC and the Rotary club are working on a fundraising plan called Operation Ocean View to engage the community in replacing the structure, including a raffle at Rock the Block in May, bi-weekly raffles at the Farmer’s Market, an expansion of the existing hand-painted tile wall, and more. In addition to events, there will be an online fundraising component at www.operationoceanview.com allowing coastsiders, their extended families and even businesses to support this important community project.  CMC will also lead grant and corporate letter writing campaigns to reach the goal. The CMC and Rotary Club hope to raise as much as $100,000 by the end of June so that construction of the new structure can begin in early Autumn.

The City of Half Moon Bay is very supportive of a community-led effort for the design and building of the new structure. This will not only save money but will also involve the children in the process of choosing the new structure. The city is currently inviting playground companies to review the space and provide cost estimates. And three local construction companies (Brothers Builders, K C-D Construction, and Verdura Construction) have already stepped up to offer their teams for the construction of the new structure. 

Carpet cleaner stolen from a vehicle in El Granada, attempted identity theft, graffiti arrest of a “spray paint enthusiast”, and an auto burglary in El Granada of a laptop and purse. And a larger than average vehicular pot bust:

The suspects are contacted inside their vehicle in the parking lot of Pescadero State Beach.  Subsequently it is learned that the female passenger of the vehicle is on active probation out of Mendocino County….  The male driver of the vehicle is found to have a suspended license. The driver admitted driving to the beach, stating that he did not want to lie about it.  A search of the vehicle revealed approximately 10 lbs. of marijuana packaged and marked for transport and resale.  Both the driver and the passenger are arrested and booked accordingly and the vehicle is towed from the scene and impounded.

Assembly member Jerry Hill is inviting Coastsiders to have a cup of coffee and discuss their ideas and concerns.  No appointment is necessary. Friday, March 11 from 8 to 9:30am, at Half Moon Bay Coffee Company, 20-A Stone Pine Road, Half Moon Bay.

The Cabrillo Unified School District has announced that it will “probably” eliminate the position of principal at Farallone View Elementary School.  The first vote will be tonight at the CUSD board meeting 7pm at the district office, 498 Kelly Ave, Half Moon Bay. According to a statement by Superintendent Rob Gaskill:

Barring unforseen good news from the state, Dr. Elizabeth Schuck, a former elementary school principal, will assume the responsibility of on-site principal at Farallone View next year.  On those occasions when Dr. Schuck is required to be off-site for other districtwide duties, the Superintendent or Director of Personnel John Corry—both former principals—will serve in her stead.  We are confident that, with your help and support, we can make this work.

Farallone View principal Pamela Gire was selected for layoff because she is the most recently hired of the elementary school principals. The CUSD board will be asked to approve a provisional resolution tonight, March 10, and finalize it at its meeting on May 12.

Gaskill, Schuck, and Farallone View principal Pamela Gire will a community meeting on Wednesday, March 16 at 6pm in the FV Elementary School Multi-Use Room.

Superintendent Gaskill’s full statement follows.

Twice Grammy-nominated pianist Geoffrey Keezer and NYC vibraphone dynamo Joe Locke team up for an intimate evening of duets including jazz standards, originals and popular songs. While this particular combination of instruments calls to mind the legendary Chick Corea-Gary Burton duets, Keezer and Locke have honed their own unique, intuitive high-octane style.

Online reservation available through Brown Paper Tickets.com
http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/154997

March 13, 2011 – 4:30, $35
Douglas Beach House on Miramar Beach
307 Mirada Road, Half Moon Bay, CA 94019
650 726-4143, www.bachddsoc.org