7/3 Summer?, BC orcas, vibriosis, salmon productivity, Cowichan fish, coal rail, toxin display, OR gillnets, BC derelict ships

English Bay orcas (Gary Sutton, Vancouver Sun)

Cliff Mass writes: “It happens almost every year, and we sometimes lose faith that it will occur. The transition to meteorological summer in the Northwest.  Often, as in this year, it happens right after July 4th, and almost certainly by mid-July, resulting in the oft-noted statement by the meteorological cognoscenti that summer starts on July 12th in western Washington. FINALLY, True Summer Begins  

A group of six killer whales was spotted Monday in English Bay, including a full-grown male on the hunt. The transient orcas are the type that eat other mammals, like seals, sea lions and other whales. Orcas spotted in Vancouver's English Bay  

The state Department of Health is urging people to call its Biotoxin Hotline (800-562-5632) to check on closures for pollution, biotoxins or bacteria before eating shellfish gathered on local beaches this summer. The naturally occuring bacteria Vibrio parahaemolyticus increases in shellfish as the water temperatures warm. The bacteria can cause vibriosis, which has symptoms that usually appear within 12-24 hours and include headache, diarrhea, nausea, cramping, vomiting, fever and chills. Health officials warn of shellfish dangers  

Sockeye salmon spawning on the rivers and streams of Washington state, British Columbia and southeastern Alaska have been producing fewer and fewer adults over the last six decades, a new study suggests.  The topic known as productivity — which is measured by the number of adults produced by each spawning salmon — is addressed in a paper published today in the Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences. Sockeye salmon adult populations in widespread decline

Between them, the group of veteran anglers have more than 200 years of experience fishing the Cowichan River – and they think that gives them the right to tell the government how the river on southern Vancouver Island should be managed.  It’s hard to argue otherwise because the group, which gathered for a formative meeting on the banks of the Cowichan last week, represents an astonishing collection of wisdom.  Group wants to make it harder, not easier, to catch fish on Cowichan  

The Bellingham City Council has agreed to postpone action on a resolution that calls for close study of possible disruptions that could result from increased rail traffic through the city if SSA Marine's proposed Cherry Point coal and bulk cargo terminal is built. At a Monday, July 2, committee meeting, council members said they had heard from a number of citizens and groups who had offered additions to the draft resolution that Council President Terry Bornemann had drawn up with city attorneys. Bellingham council postpones action on coal train resolution  

Visitors to the Port Townsend Marine Science Center will be able to learn about the effects of toxins in the marine environment thanks to a recent grant from the federal Environmental Protection Agency.  The $56,848 grant will help to create a new permanent educational interactive exhibit, with a first phase scheduled to open in September. Marine center wins $56,848 federal grant for toxin studies  

Oregon voters likely will decide this fall whether to ban gillnet fishing in the Columbia River and other state waters. Campaigners say they turned in enough signatures Monday to qualify their gillnet ban as a ballot measure in the November election. Coalition Says Gillnet Ban Heading To Oregon Ballot  

The Queen of Sidney’s familiar, imposing funnel is just visible from the busy Lougheed Highway passing through this small rural offshoot of Mission. A short jaunt down a country road to the shores of the Fraser River, however, evokes shock.  There, the one-time pride of B.C. Ferries, reduced to a dismal, wasting hulk, floats in the middle of a marine junkyard.  Governments missing the boat on problem of derelict vessels  

Now, your tug weather--
WEST ENTRANCE U.S. WATERS STRAIT OF JUAN DE FUCA- 736 AM PDT TUE JUL 3 2012
SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY FOR WINDS IN EFFECT UNTIL 6 PM PDT THIS EVENING
TODAY
W WIND 15 TO 25 KT. WIND WAVES 2 TO 5 FT. W SWELL 4 FT AT 8 SECONDS. SCATTERED SHOWERS.
TONIGHT
W WIND 10 TO 20 KT. WIND WAVES 2 TO 4 FT. W SWELL 5 FT AT 8 SECONDS.

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