3/21 Forsythia, warm ocean, save salmon, BC pipe, Howe Sound mine, toxic algae, ocean plastic, sea lion saved

Forsythia [Fast Growing Trees]

Forsythia Forsythia spp. and cvs.
Forsythia is a genus of flowering plants in the olive family Oleaceae. There are about 11 species, mostly native to eastern Asia, but one native to southeastern Europe. Forsythia is also one of the plant's common names, along with Easter tree; the genus is named after William Forsyth. (Wikipedia)

Swordfish, loggerhead turtle spotted off coast are powerful evidence of ocean warming
Sightings along the B.C. coast of a swordfish and loggerhead turtle — species normally associated with warmer waters — are the latest startling evidence of local climate change. Both species were spotted by biologist Luke Halpin while travelling aboard the Canadian Coast Guard research vessel John P. Tully during pelagic seabird and marine mammal surveys on the west coast. His findings were recently published online in the journal BioOne. Larry Pynn reports. (Vancouver Sun)

Tribes Tap Late Leader’s Memory For Inspiration At First Salmon Summit
Local tribes are calling on the memory of legendary civil rights activist Billy Frank Jr. to rev up the fight for salmon recovery. They met in Tulalip Monday for what they dubbed a “first-annual” Pacific Salmon Summit, named in his honor. Frank, who died four years ago in May, organized “fish-ins” in the 1960s and 70s to assert tribal treaty rights. His activism ultimately led to the Supreme Court’s landmark Boldt decision protecting those rights. Bellamy Pailthorp reports. (KNKX)

Police officers injured while arresting demonstrators opposed to Trans Mountain pipeline
RCMP say three officers suffered minor injuries while making arrests Monday evening at demonstrations against the expansion of the Trans Mountain pipeline in Burnaby, B.C. The Mounties say one officer suffered a head injury after being kicked, another suffered a knee injury and a third injured a hand. (Canadian Press) See also: Judge orders defiant Kinder Morgan protester to remain in jail  Keith Fraser reports. (Vancouver Sun)

Critics up in arms after Howe Sound gravel mine wins environmental certificate
Burnco Rock Products is a step closer to building a gravel mine at McNab Creek, on the western shore of Howe Sound, after the provincial environment ministry granted an environmental assessment certificate on Tuesday. George Heyman, environment minister, and Michelle Mungal, mining minister, both signed off on the decision. Patrick Johnston reports. (Vancouver Sun)

Blue-green algae warning issued for Kitsap Lake
People and pets are advised to avoid contact with Kitsap Lake after a cyanobacteria, or blue-green algae, warning was issued there. The warning was issued by the Kitsap Public Health District on Tuesday. Toxic cyanobacteria can make people sick and can kill pets, fish, waterfowl and livestock. See also: Possibly toxic blue-green algae bloom reported at Black Lake   Lauren Smith reports. (Olympian)

Ocean plastic could treble in decade
The amount of plastic in the ocean is set to treble in a decade unless litter is curbed, a major report has warned. Plastics is just one issue facing the world's seas, along with rising sea levels, warming oceans, and pollution, it says. But the Foresight Future of the Sea Report for the UK government said there are also opportunities to cash in on the "ocean economy". They say this is predicted to double to $3 trillion (£2 trillion) by 2030. Roger Harrabin reports. (BBC)

Sea lion with nylon rope around its neck rescued by Vancouver Aquarium
A Steller sea lion that had a thick piece of braided plastic cutting deeply into its neck has been saved by the Vancouver Aquarium's Marine Mammal Rescue Centre. The aquarium says the team that saved the female sea lion on Saturday also tried to help a younger animal entangled in a plastic packing strap, but the animal was able to bite out a sedative-carrying dart and bolted into the ocean. The rescued female was full grown and estimated to weigh about 260 kilograms. (Canadian Press)

Now, your tug weather--
West Entrance U.S. Waters Strait Of Juan De Fuca-  234 AM PDT Wed Mar 21 2018
TODAY  SE wind to 10 kt. Wind waves 1 ft or less. W swell 4 ft  at 12 seconds. A chance of rain.  
TONIGHT  S wind to 10 kt. Wind waves 1 ft or less. SW swell  4 ft at 10 seconds. Rain.

--
"Salish Sea News & Weather" is compiled as a community service by Mike Sato. To subscribe, send your name and email to msato (@) salishseacom.com. Your email information is never shared and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Salish Sea News: Communicate, Educate, Advocate

Follow on Twitter.

Salish Sea Communications: Truth Well Told