11/11 Skunk, BC hornet, WA hornets, crab toxin, TM pipe expansion

Striped skunk

Striped skunk Mephitis mephitis
Striped skunks have a range spanning most of North America. From east to west, they reach from the Atlantic to the Pacific Ocean, covering most of the continental United States and southern regions of Canada. They are commonly found in a variety of habitats including woodlands, forests, wooded ravines and grassy plains. Over time, however, they have become more prominent in areas of extreme cultivation as well as in suburban neighborhoods. (Animal Diversity)

6th Asian giant hornet to be discovered in B.C. found in Fraser Valley
An Asian giant hornet has been found near Langley, B.C., about five kilometres away from where another so-called murder hornet was discovered last week. The provincial Agriculture Ministry says in a release that both findings are thought to coincide with a phase in the hornets' life cycle where they leave their nests looking for mates. It says five of the giant, invasive hornets have been found in the Fraser Valley and Lower Mainland since 2019 as a result of public reports, while a nest was destroyed in Nanaimo last year. (Canadian Press)

Destruction of murder hornets nest doesn't end threat
When scientists in Washington state destroyed the first nest of so-called murder hornets found in the U.S., they discovered about 500 live specimens in various stages of development, officials said Tuesday. Among them were nearly 200 queens that had the potential to start their own nests, said Sven-Erik Spichiger, an entomologist leading the fight to kill the hornets. "We got there just in the nick of time," he said. Still, that didn't end the threat from the giant insects that can deliver painful though rarely deadly stings to people and wipe out entire hives of honey bees. Nicholas K. Geranios reports. (Associated Press)

Neurotoxin that shut down razor clamming threatens Dungeness crab season
Dungeness crab is a favorite seafood that many people look forward to this time of year. But there’s a chance the warm water off the coast that recently shut down the razor clam season in Washington could prevent the Dungeness crab harvest as well. In October, the clams tested positive for high levels of domoic acid. It comes from a kind of algae called pseudo-nitzschia, which can thrive when oceans are warm. The acid doesn’t hurt the clams or the crabs, but is a neurotoxin that affects humans and other vertebrates. Bellamy Pailthorp reports. (KNKX)

What’s at Stake with the Trans Mountain Pipeline Expansion?
New research from veteran earth scientist David Hughes concludes that the Trans Mountain pipeline expansion project makes no financial sense. In fact, Alberta heavy oil producers can expect to lose money on every barrel of oil they produce and move through TMX. Contrary to claims that bringing heavy oil to tidewater for export to Asia will fetch a higher price than in U.S. markets, Hughes’ report for the Corporate Mapping Project shows that when TMX is completed, Alberta heavy oil producers could lose $4 to $6 on every barrel of oil they sell. Higher transportation costs, lower market prices and a lack of oil refining capacity in Asian markets where TMX’s unrefined heavy oil might sell are key reasons why the project is a money-loser. Garth Lenz writes. (The Tyee/CCPA)

Now, your tug weather--
West Entrance U.S. Waters Strait Of Juan De Fuca-  358 AM PST Wed Nov 11 2020   
TODAY  SE wind to 10 kt. Wind waves 1 ft or less. W swell 6 ft  at 12 seconds. 
TONIGHT  SE wind 5 to 15 kt. Wind waves 2 ft or less. W swell  5 ft at 11 seconds. A slight chance of rain.

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