La Jolla’s Seabird Entanglement Crisis Continues
La Jolla’s Seabird Entanglement Crisis Continues
In August, the San Diego Union Tribune and The La Jolla Light highlighted the devastating rise in seabird entanglements Wildlife Jewels has been documenting along the La Jolla coastline.
More than a month later, the entanglements persist.
Wildlife Jewels searches Point La Jolla near daily for entangled and distressed seabirds. When an entangled bird cannot be safely reached for rescue, we continue returning to search for and track the bird, documenting its location and condition in the hope that the bird moves to an area where a safe rescue becomes possible.
Fishing line, hooks and other fishing gear can leave birds injured, restrict their ability to fly, swim or feed, and in severe cases threaten their survival.
Many of the birds we observe are also in locations where they cannot be safely reached for rescue.
Seabirds Already Under Pressure
The continued entanglements are especially devastating at a time when our seabirds are already facing significant pressures this year, including widespread starvation and mortality events.
Every additional injury caused by fishing gear adds another threat for birds already confronting difficult environmental conditions.
From Monitoring to Rescue
Through our EYES® coastal monitoring and Rescue Crew, Wildlife Jewels searches for wildlife in distress, documents threats and responds when a bird can be safely reached.
Our Rescue Crew rescues birds we can safely access and transports them to permitted wildlife rehabilitation partners for professional care.
For birds that cannot be reached, documentation remains important. By recording where and when entanglements occur, the species involved, circumstances surrounding the cases and other field observations, we can build a clearer picture of the scale and patterns of seabird entanglement along the La Jolla coastline.
The Need for Collaborative Solutions
Rescue can help an individual bird, but rescue alone cannot address the conditions causing birds to become entangled.
We urgently need collaborative solutions to better protect La Jolla’s seabirds.
Wildlife Jewels will continue monitoring the coastline, documenting entanglement cases, responding to wildlife in distress when possible, and sharing observations that can help inform conversations about prevention and protection.
The goal is not only to respond after a bird becomes entangled, but to better understand what is happening and help identify effective ways to reduce these preventable injuries.
Read the La Jolla Light Coverage
The La Jolla Light reported on Wildlife Jewels' documentation of the seabird entanglement problem in August 2026.
Read the full La Jolla Light story:
Seabird entanglements on the rise in La Jolla, bird advocate says
See an Injured or Entangled Bird?
If you see an injured or entangled bird, please report it as soon as possible and continue to keep the bird in sight if you can do so safely.
Report wildlife: HERE
Your report can help responders locate the animal before it moves or disappears from view.
Every bird matters. 💙
Support our Rescue Crew HERE
Wildlife Jewels Rescue Crew found and responded to a Brandt’s Cormorant in distress during a Search Scout survey in La Jolla, helping the bird reach emergency veterinary care.
Help Wildlife in Distress
Wildlife Jewels works along the Southern California coast to search for and identify wildlife in distress, document human-caused threats, respond to wildlife emergencies within the scope of our Rescue Program, and transport rescued birds to licensed wildlife rehabilitation facilities for professional care.
Your support helps provide rescue equipment, field supplies, transportation, and other resources needed for this work.
Wildlife Jewels Rescue Crew rescues a distressed cormorant from below the wall at Point La Jolla and transports the bird for emergency wildlife veterinary care.
💔 We’re devastated to see another Western Gull fledgling entangled in fishing gear in La Jolla. On August 10, we documented Beryl, a young Western Gull entangled in fishing line and a large lure. Despite days of searching, we were unable to find her again
Wildlife Jewels Rescue Crew found and responded to a Pelagic Cormorant in distress during a Search Scout survey in La Jolla, helping the bird reach emergency veterinary care.
Follow the remarkable rescue of an entangled Brown Pelican at Crystal Cove, from fishing-gear injuries through rehabilitation to his return to the wild.
After weeks of documenting entangled seabirds at Point La Jolla, a precious Brandt’s Cormorant finally became reachable. Meet Azurite and follow her journey from fishing gear entanglement to rescue and a second chance.
Wildlife Jewels Rescue Crew rescued a Brandt’s Cormorant entangled in fishing gear at La Jolla Cove and transported the bird to wildlife rehabilitation for care.
Wildlife Jewels is searching for Beryl, a recently fledged Western Gull in La Jolla with fishing line and a lure wrapped around her beak. Learn how to report a sighting.
Wildlife Jewels continues monitoring injured harbor seal pup Kyanite at La Jolla's Children's Pool. Giving her space to haul out could provide a chance for rescue.
Wildlife Jewels documented at least 10 entangled cormorants in one day at Point La Jolla. Learn about this growing seabird entanglement crisis and ongoing monitoring efforts.
Wildlife Jewels® documented Blue-Banded Brown Pelican 429 during a Point La Jolla Search Scout survey, helping track the bird's recovery after rehabilitation.
During our EYES field surveys at Children’s Pool, we have continued observing the same injured harbor seal pup since June 28. She has a deep wound near her left shoulder/front flipper and appears to have difficulty moving.
During our EYES Children’s Pool survey yesterday, Wildlife Jewels documented a precious seal pup with a concerning open wound on the left neck/shoulder area.
Newborn Sea Lion Pup Observed Alone at La Jolla During Pupping Season
Devastating Rise in Distressed Seabirds and Entangled Pelicans Along the Coast.
Wildlife Jewels documented a yearling sea lion badly entangled in fishing line in La Jolla before SeaWorld Rescue successfully rescued her. Learn how discarded fishing gear threatens marine wildlife.
A California Brown Pelican in distress at San Marcos High School was safely rescued through coordinated efforts between Wildlife Jewels Rescue Crew, San Diego Humane Society, and SeaWorld Rescue.
La Jolla Seal Pup Seen Free of Plastic Ring at Children’s Pool After 11 Days
Thank you to everyone who attended a recent Wildlife Jewels Rescue Crew training session at La Jolla Shores.
Wildlife Jewels In The News
Wildlife Jewels is featured in Greet La Jolla, highlighting our journey from wildlife-inspired art to coastal conservation, wildlife observation, rescue, education, and community engagement.
Wildlife Jewels’ seabird rescue work along the Southern California coast was recently featured on CBS 8 San Diego in a story by Shawn Styles, highlighting our work to find and rescue birds in need and the growing threat of fishing-line and hook entanglements in La Jolla.
Wildlife Jewels Featured on ABC 10News for La Jolla Seabird Entanglements
ABC 10News highlights the rise in seabird entanglements from fishing hooks and line in La Jolla and Wildlife Jewels’ work to document, rescue, and advocate for stronger prevention.
The San Diego Union-Tribune and La Jolla Light feature Wildlife Jewels’ ongoing monitoring documenting roughly 80 fishing gear-related seabird entanglements in La Jolla from April through August 19, 2026.
Wildlife Jewels Executive Director Dr. Azi Sharif discusses seabird monitoring, rescue response, and the challenges facing La Jolla’s cormorants and pelicans in San Diego Bird Alliance’s Sketches.
We’re honored to share that Wildlife Jewels and our Rescue Crew have been featured in The Local Publication!
Wildlife Jewels was featured by Del Mar Times and The San Diego Union-Tribune following the launch of Wildlife Jewels Rescue Crew, a trained volunteer program supporting coastal wildlife response, rescue pathways, and community stewardship.
Wildlife Jewels was featured by Del Mar Times and The San Diego Union-Tribune following the launch of Wildlife Jewels Rescue Crew, a trained volunteer program supporting coastal wildlife response, rescue pathways, and community stewardship.
Wildlife Jewels® Founder & Executive Director, Azi Sharif, PhD, was recently featured in Shoutout SoCal, sharing the mission behind Wildlife Jewels® and our work to protect wildlife through art, science, rescue, habitat restoration, and community action. Read the feature and learn why we believe every wildlife is unique, precious, and must be protected. 💎
Thank you to Spectrum News 1 SoCal for shining a light on Wildlife Jewels’ EYES program, created to help spot and protect distressed coastal wildlife along the California Coast!
Join us and together let’s work to ensure safety of our precious wildlife!
Wildlife Jewels continues to document seabird entanglements in La Jolla, particularly at Point La Jolla, as birds face fishing gear and other pressures.