Witnesses saw a group at the remote Tautuku Beach harassing a male sea lion with utes and trail bikes late last week.
A male sea lion was later found dead on the beach, although the Department of Conservation has yet to confirm its cause of death.
Clutha District Council brought a Vehicles on Beaches Bylaw into effect on January 1, 2023, in an effort to control irresponsible driving on beaches, but it has been widely criticised — including by Clutha District Mayor Bryan Cadogan himself — for being ineffective and "weak".
Yesterday, Mr Cadogan said, as a consequence, he believed he and the council held some responsibility for the death of the sea lion.
"This and the death of the mother and pup by shooting recently are just scummy behaviour, and I call on everyone in the district to make sure these idiots face the consequences of their stupidity.
"Unfortunately the process of shaping this bylaw was distorted by Facebook noise, and a distorted process has now led to this distorted outcome. There’s a very small minority that need a very clear message delivered."
Many submitters during bylaw consultation were "vociferous" in providing assurances such incidents would never happen if the rules allowed for responsible self-regulation.
"Clearly it is happening, and we need stronger rules."
During consultation in 2022, the council initially proposed banning vehicles from eight beaches — most in the Catlins — and imposing a 30kmh speed limit on all others.
The proposal garnered 800 unique submissions during consultation, and led to heated exchanges at community outreach sessions.
The council approved a watered-down version of the bylaw proposals in September that year.
That left all beaches open to vehicles, while providing broad guidelines for safe and respectful driver behaviour.
During its first year, there were 39 breaches addressed by the council’s freedom camping officer, most dealt with through "education".
Mr Cadogan, who has indicated he will step down at the next local elections in October, said he would like to leave a stronger bylaw in his wake.
"The bylaw has been breached and it’s becoming apparent with the two despicable incidents of late that our district’s taonga are not being protected the way they should be.
"I’ve already asked questions of council staff whether we can have another look at [it]. That’s not a simple process, but let’s see what can be done."
