5/14 Christmas anemone, no to Snake dam removal, mouth rot, Semiahmoo Bay, Green-Duwamish plan, Active Pass tankers, razor clams, parapinopsin

Christmas anemone [Mary Jo Adams]

 
Christmas anemone  Urticina crassicornis
This is a relatively large anemone. Its open crown of tentacles may be 10 inches across. The stalk may be solid red, cream, or brown or it may be blotched olive green and red. The tentacles are thick and blunt with bands of color. Watch for it low in the intertidal in protected areas such as under rock ledges. This anemone is a nonselective predator and may live for 80 years. It was formerly named Tealia crassicornis.(Mary Jo Adams/Sound Water Stewards)

Gov. Inslee, Washington state’s U.S. senators reject GOP congressman’s pitch on Lower Snake River dam removal
Washington state’s U.S. senators and its governor have joined forces against a proposal from U.S. Rep. Mike Simpson, R-Idaho, to remove four hydroelectric dams on the Lower Snake River and replace their benefits as part of a multitrillion dollar infrastructure bill being crafted by the Biden administration. The proposal had gained the support of Oregon Gov. Kate Brown, U.S. Rep. Earl Blumenauer, D-Ore., as well as many tribes, after it was announced last winter. Lynda Mapes reports. (Seattle Times)

‘They never said a word’: DFO told B.C. salmon farmers, but not First Nations, about mouth rot infestation
Documents released under access to information legislation show federal scientists raised the alarm about a bacteria that causes potentially deadly lesions in Atlantic salmon, saying migrating Fraser River salmon were at risk. Sarah Cox reports. (The Narwhal)

Semiahmoo Bay shellfish harvest could be restored – SFN chief says
Improving water quality to revitalize shellfish harvesting in SFN’s traditional territory is a possibility, according to Semiahmoo First Nation Chief Harley Chappell. Chappell – a member of the trans-boundary Shared Waters Alliance – joined Christy Juteau, conservation science director of Arocha Canada, to discuss the idea as part of White Rock council’s regular online meeting May 10. Alex Browne reports. (Surrey Now-Leader)

Ecology adopts new watershed plan for Duwamish-Green river basin
A new watershed plan for the Duwamish-Green river basin lays out projects and actions to protect and improve fish habitat, while also ensuring sufficient water is available for rural residents. The Washington Department of Ecology adopted the plan for the Duwamish-Green watershed, also known as Water Resource Inventory Area (WRIA) 9 on May 11. (Dept of Ecology News Release)

Alarm Over Oil Tanker Using Active Pass 
The BC Coast Pilots Association is taking a look at whether Active Pass and Porlier Pass in the Gulf Islands should continue to be used by pilots guiding freighters and oil tankers. It comes after an oil tanker was recently seen passing through Active Pass. The narrow passage has strong tidal currents and is used several times a day by BC Ferries for vessels sailing between Vancouver Island and Metro Vancouver. The BC Coast Pilots Association says Active Pass is not used much, but it is a legitimate route for larger vessels to use while transiting the Salish Sea. Mike Patterson reports. (My Cowichan Valley Now)

Toxins have thwarted razor clam season in Washington. This two-day window might be your only chance
For the first time this season it will be safe to dig for and eat razor clams. Don’t miss your chance because for now, it will only be allowed for two days, according to the Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife. The approved window is only at Mocrocks Beach in Moclips, Grays Harbor County, during low tides this Saturday at 9:37 a.m. and Monday at 11:03 a.m. Amanda Zhou reports. (Seattle Times)

UW researchers think a fish might be the answer to treating mood disorders, addiction
University of Washington researchers are studying how to control the brain. They might have found the answer in an eel-like fish. In a paper published in May, researchers at UW Medicine, Washington University in St. Louis and other institutions say they have successfully used a protein called parapinopsin to manipulate neurons and certain neurotransmitters. The protein comes from a lamprey — a type of jawless fish similar to an eel — and researchers hope it could eventually be used to treat mood disorders, addiction, depression and even pain. Amanda Zhou reports. (Seattle Times)

Salish Sea News Week in Review 5/14/21: Fintastic Friday, grey whale deaths, derelict vessels, Big Melt, WA ferries, Arctic drilling, Big Bar salmon, poor BC resource mngt, sage grouse, Nahmint logging, curbing climate change, Skagit dams, mouth rot, Snake R dams

Now, your weekend tug weather--
West Entrance U.S. Waters Strait Of Juan De Fuca-  538 AM PDT Fri May 14 2021   
TODAY  W wind to 10 kt becoming NW 10 to 20 kt in the  afternoon. Wind waves 1 ft or less building to 1 to 3 ft in the  afternoon. W swell 4 ft at 6 seconds. 
TONIGHT  W wind 10 to 20 kt becoming SW to 10 kt after  midnight. Wind waves 1 to 3 ft subsiding to 1 ft or less after  midnight. W swell 6 ft at 7 seconds. 
SAT  W wind to 10 kt becoming NW in the afternoon. Wind waves  2 ft or less. W swell 6 ft at 7 seconds. 
SAT NIGHT  W wind 5 to 15 kt becoming SW after midnight. Wind  waves 2 ft or less. W swell 4 ft at 7 seconds. 
SUN  W wind to 10 kt rising to 10 to 20 kt in the afternoon.  Wind waves 1 ft or less building to 1 to 3 ft in the afternoon. W  swell 5 ft at 7 seconds.

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