SAN DIEGO — Large crowds descended on popular tide pooling spots around the county during the weekend’s king tides, with videos circulating online showing visitors stepping on marine life, manhandling creatures, and taking animals home—despite laws protecting these sensitive ecosystems.
The behavior has prompted concern from marine experts who say many tide pools are designated marine protected areas where it is illegal to remove animals and, in many cases, even to disturb them.
“The fact that people are letting their kids climb all over it is beyond me,” one witness said…