11/9 BC invasives, orca protection, Sonic Sea, WA carbon tax

Invasive American Bullfrog (Angel DeBilio/CBC)

UVic prof's DNA test finds invasive species in B.C. lakes, rivers
You might not be able to see them or catch them, but University of Victoria professor Caren Helbing can tell if the invasive American bullfrog is lurking in a local lake or stream. The voracious amphibian has colonized water bodies around British Columbia in recent years, devouring native species and keeping residents awake at night with their loud croaking. Helbing, a professor in UVic's department of biochemistry and microbiology, has developed an improved method of testing water samples for DNA evidence of invasive or endangered species. Deborah Wilson reports. (CBC)

Orca protection part of Ottawa’s $1.5 billion marine protection plan
Ships off the West Coast could be forced to yield the right of way to killer whales as part of a federal ocean protection plan, says a Liberal MP. The $1.5-billion plan to improve Canada’s ability to respond to oil spills and take measures to protect its oceans includes moves to reduce shipping noise and vessel traffic in sensitive zones in an effort to protect endangered southern resident killer whales, Jonathan Wilkinson of North Vancouver said Tuesday. Wilkinson, the parliamentary secretary for the minister of environment and climate change, said southern resident killer whales require habitat improvements to ensure plentiful salmon stocks as a food source and protection from shipping traffic. Dirk Meissner  reports. (Vancouver Sun)

Sonic Sea
Oceans are a sonic symphony. Sound is essential to the survival and prosperity of marine life. But man-made ocean noise is threatening this fragile world. Sonic Sea is about protecting life in our waters from the destructive effects of oceanic noise pollution. (Watch the trailer.)

Washington voters reject initiative to impose carbon tax on fossil fuels
The nation’s first state ballot measure to impose a carbon tax on fossil fuels failed Tuesday on a crowded slate of statewide initiatives in Washington. Initiative 732, which sought to apply a tax on energy-derived coal, oil gas  garnered just 42 percent after ballot counts around the state, including an early Wednesday update in King County.  King County was the lone county in Washington to support the measure. Lewis Kamb reports. (Seattle Times)

Now, your tug weather--
 WEST ENTRANCE U.S. WATERS STRAIT OF JUAN DE FUCA-  240 AM PST WED NOV 9 2016  

SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY FOR HAZARDOUS SEAS IN EFFECT THROUGH THIS  AFTERNOON  
TODAY  SE WIND TO 10 KT. WIND WAVES 1 FT OR LESS. W SWELL 13 FT  AT 15 SECONDS...SUBSIDING TO 11 FT AT 14 SECONDS IN THE AFTERNOON.  RAIN IN THE MORNING.
TONIGHT  E WIND 5 TO 15 KT...BECOMING SE 10 TO 20 KT AFTER  MIDNIGHT. WIND WAVES 2 FT OR LESS...BUILDING TO 1 TO 3 FT AFTER  MIDNIGHT. W SWELL 8 FT AT 13 SECONDS.

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