4/10 Green ribbon worm, unemployment, salmon expedition, Vancouver air, burning, BC media

Green ribbon worms [Mary Jo Adams]

Green ribbon worm Emplectonema gracile
This nemertean or ribbon worm is a barnacle predator so watch for it in rocky areas and in mussel beds where there are barnacles. It's often found underneath big rocks during the daytime when the tide is out. Emplectonema gracile is yellow green to dark green with a pale underside. It reaches a length of about 4 inches. It's not unusual to find these animals twisted together in knotted masses. (Mary Jo Adams/SoundStewards)


*EDITOR'S NOTE: Access updates on the COVID-19 virus at national and regional print publications like the CBC, the Seattle Times, the Peninsula Daily News, the New York Times, and the Washington Post.


Washington state nears half a million unemployed from coronavirus, with 'tsunami' of more claims expected  Paul Roberts reports. (Seattle Times) B.C. lost 132,000 jobs in one week as the pandemic hit the economy  (Canadian Press)

Salmon expeditions challenge old beliefs
Long-held assumptions about where salmon go during their years of swimming in the Pacific Ocean may need to be revised, according to Dick Beamish, a Canadian salmon researcher who helped organize two scientific expeditions into the Pacific Ocean. For example, sockeye salmon have been caught in nets farther south than conventional wisdom would suggest, Beamish said, while fishing was hit-and-miss in the same area at different times, suggesting that pink and chum salmon were schooling more than expected. The second International Gulf of Alaska Salmon Expedition ended Tuesday after nearly a month of travels, mostly off the coast of British Columbia. Findings at this point are fairly general, since key data have not yet been analyzed. In fact, conclusions from the first expedition a year ago are still being worked up by many researchers. Chris Dunagan reports. (Puget Sound Institute)

COVID-19: Reduced Metro Vancouver air pollution key to a flatter curve
Vehicle traffic is down 47 per cent within Vancouver’s city limits and down 55 per cent in the downtown core since non-essential businesses were shut down to control the spread of COVID-19, according to city hall. That likely comes as a relief to commuters who usually have to battle the third worst traffic congestion of any city in North America, behind only Mexico City and Los Angeles, according to a global ranking of 416 cities by TomTom. Randy Shore reports. (Vancouver Sun)

Increased outdoor burning affecting air quality in Whatcom County and beyond
With most people in Whatcom County staying home to prevent the spread of the new coronavirus, outdoor burning has greatly increased impacting the air quality in the area, according to a news release. The Northwest Clean Air Agency is currently discouraging any outdoor burning in Island, Skagit and Whatcom Counties until further notice. Shaun Hollko reports...Air quality readings for Bellingham, Ferndale and Lynden/Custer were still good on the Northwest Clean Air Agency website Thursday, April 9. Ratings in Columbia Valley reached unhealthy in the last week. Shaun Hollko reports. (Sacramento Bee)

Local newspaper, magazines forced to make cuts in light of pandemic
Local publishers are being forced to make difficult decisions as the COVID-19 pandemic forces businesses to close and cancel print advertisements. The Magazine Association of B.C. estimates local publications could lose up to $10 million in advertising revenue in six months if things continue the way they are. And so most have made cuts or suspended operation altogether. (CBC)


Now, your weekend tug weather--West Entrance U.S. Waters Strait Of Juan De Fuca-  208 AM PDT Fri Apr 10 2020   
TODAY  W wind 5 to 15 kt. Wind waves 2 ft or less. W swell 6 ft  at 10 seconds. 
TONIGHT  W wind 5 to 15 kt becoming SW after midnight. Wind  waves 2 ft or less. W swell 6 ft at 10 seconds. SAT  E wind 5 to 15 kt becoming SE 10 to 20 kt in the  afternoon. Wind waves 1 to 3 ft. W swell 6 ft at 9 seconds. SAT NIGHT  NE wind to 10 kt becoming E after midnight. Wind  waves 1 ft or less. W swell 4 ft at 10 seconds. SUN  SE wind 5 to 15 kt becoming E to 10 kt in the afternoon.  Wind waves 2 ft or less. W swell 4 ft at 10 seconds.




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