FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
DATE: 5/20/2026
Media Contact:
Nicky Rosenberg Communications Manager, San Diego Coastkeeper [email protected]
San Diego Coastkeeper and CERF Settle Lawsuit with SeaWorld Over Mission Bay Fireworks Pollution
Settlement coincides with California Coastal Commission approval of SeaWorld’s drone light show permit, marking a turning point for Mission Bay wildlife and water quality
SAN DIEGO, Calif. – San Diego Coastkeeper and the Coastal Environmental Rights Foundation (CERF) have reached an agreement with SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment, Inc. resolving a Clean Water Act lawsuit filed in March 2025 over the theme park’s fireworks-related pollution in Mission Bay.
The agreement closes more than a year of litigation stemming from SeaWorld’s repeated failures to comply with its Clean Water Act Fireworks Permit. Coastkeeper and CERF filed suit after years of documented noncompliance, including “shocking amounts” of chemical-laden debris — plastic, foil, sharp wiring, and toxic metal residues — recovered from Fiesta Island and the Mission Bay seabed.
The resolution follows a major development: the California Coastal Commission recently approved SeaWorld’s proposal to conduct up to 110 drone light shows in the coming year, with shows expected to begin on May 22, 2026 for Memorial Day weekend. Coastkeeper and CERF strongly support Seaworld’s decision to seek the approval for drone shows from the Coastal Commission, noting that the filing of their Clean Water Act citizen suit was instrumental in persuading SeaWorld to transition to this new, more environmentally friendly technology.
“Our goal from the beginning was to stop the pollution and protect Mission Bay,” said Phillip Musegaas, Executive Director of San Diego Coastkeeper. “This settlement, combined with SeaWorld’s move to drone shows, is exactly the outcome we were working toward.”
Unlike traditional fireworks, which rain down debris with every explosion, drone shows produce little to no disruptive noise, release no toxic pollutants, plastics, or other debris into Mission Bay, and pose no threat to public health. Fireworks, by contrast, are single-use explosives composed of heavy metals, perchlorates, plastics, and other toxic chemicals.
The settlement requires SeaWorld to pursue drones as a permanent replacement for fireworks in good faith. It also requires implementation of more robust pollution prevention and cleanup efforts by Seaworld following any remaining fireworks shows put on by the park.
“This is a win-win situation,” said Sara Ochoa, CERF Programs Director. “This transition provides an opportunity for a unique type of entertainment and minimizes impacts to the environment, wildlife, and community.”
Coastkeeper and CERF had long called on SeaWorld to transition to drone shows as a pollution-free alternative. The Coastal Commission’s authorization of commercial-scale drone and light shows validates years of the groups’ advocacy work, and represents a momentous step toward a more sustainable future for Mission Bay.
About Coastkeeper
Founded in 1995, San Diego Coastkeeper safeguards our region’s inland and coastal waters through a strategic blend of community science, education, grassroots outreach, policy advocacy, and legal enforcement of environmental laws. This approach allows us to effectively tackle the most pressing water issues facing our region. For more information, visit sdcoastkeeper.org.
About Coastal Environmental Rights Foundation
CERF is an environmental non-profit founded in 2008 by surfers in Encinitas, CA. CERF is dedicated to the preservation, protection, and defense of the environment, the wildlife, and the natural resources of the California Coast. To learn more, visit cerf.org.