La Jolla
In an effort to protect ocean swimmers in La Jolla, the San Diego City Council on Monday approved a two-part ordinance creating a special boat-free zone on a popular realigned swim course and establishing a 5 m.p.h. speed zone in a square-mile area from La Jolla Shores to the cove.
The ordinance will be reviewed by the U.S. Coast Guard, California Department of Fish and Game, California Department of Boating and Waterways and the California Coastal Commission before it is scheduled for final City Council approval on Nov. 3.
The proposed boat-free zone would change the present two-leg, north-to-west swim course traditionally used by long-distance swimmers leaving the cove to a narrow and straight out-and-back course facing north from the lifeguard tower.
All boating activity would be prohibited in the zone, which would be outlined by buoys.
The larger, approximately square-mile area known as the San Diego-La Jolla Underwater Park Ecological Reserve, which stretches from La Jolla Cove to the Scripps Pier, would have a 5-m.p.h. speed limit. This is an area heavily used by divers because of its protected marine life.
Three reefs in the area are major diving attractions and are in the new proposed swim course.
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