2/29 Eastern oyster, North of Falcon, Renfrew forage zones, Fraser R sturgeon, TM pipe, BC wildfires

 

Eastern oyster [NOAA]

Eastern oyster Crassostrea virginica
Crassostrea virginica is commonly known as the Eastern Oyster. It is native to the Northwest Atlantic from the Gulf of St. Lawrence to Panama and Venezuela. Beginning in the 19th century, extensive transplants were made to the West Coast (from British Columbia to southern California), Hawaii, and European waters. The Eastern Oyster is currently established in Hawaii, and a tiny remnant population survives in British Columbia, but the vast majority of these introductions were unsuccessful. In its native habitat this species is characteristic of shallow, estuarine waters and can occur in the intertidal.  (Smithsonian)

Today's top story in Salish Current: Community Voices / Removing Bellingham's parking minimums has many benefits

State to begin process of setting salmon fishing seasons
The state Department of Fish and Wildlife will present initial salmon forecasts to the public on Friday on Zoom from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. The forecasts are part of the fishery season-setting process, named North of Falcon after the physical location of Cape Falcon in Oregon. North of Falcon consists of receiving input from commercial and recreational fishers as state fishery managers and tribal managers estimate salmon and steelhead return numbers....The North of Falcon process will include several public meetings over the next two months. Emma Fletcher-Frazer reports. (Skagit Valley Herald)

Renfrew residents worry about plan for more chinook limits
The Department of Fisheries and Oceans’ proposal to expand foraging zones for southern resident killer whales and close more areas to the chinook salmon fishery could have a “devastating” impact on Port Renfrew. The town on the southwest tip of Vancouver Island is heavily reliant on anglers who flock to the area in the summer and early fall to catch the premium sports fish, known for its meat and vigorous fight. Darron Kloster reports. (Times Colonist)

Oil spilled by Fraser River sturgeon habitat. Why did it take almost 3 months to start cleaning up?
A landslide in early December caused a spill that First Nations leaders say endangers prime sturgeon habitat in the Fraser River. They’re left wondering why it’s taken so long to address. Steph Kwetásel’wet Wood reports. (The Narwhal)

Why Did Trans Mountain Dig Through an Indigenous Burial Site?
Trans Mountain says it is in the process of wrapping up work to install its pipeline through a sacred Secwépemc site, bringing its expansion project one step closer to completion. The pipe installation, which involved digging a 1.3-kilometre trench through an area with a known burial site, was allowed to proceed after years of back and forth between the company, the Stk’emlúpsemc te Secwépemc Nation and federal regulators. The Canadian government bought the pipeline nearly six years ago and vowed to move ahead with its expansion. Amanda Follett Hosgood reports. (The Tyee)

BC wildfire: Expect early, intense battle as drought lingers
A drought that has lingered across much of B.C. since the fall of 2022 could be a harbinger of a “grim” wildfire season, forecasters are warning. Victoria-based Environment Canada meteorologist Armel Castellan said there is no indication that spring weather will be wet enough to temper what he describes as “unbelievably low levels” of precipitation and snowpack over the past 18 months in most areas of B.C.Joseph Ruttle reports. (Vancouver Sun)

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Here's your tug weather—
West Entrance U.S. Waters Strait Of Juan De Fuca-  211 AM PST Thu Feb 29 2024    
TODAY  S wind 5 to 15 kt. Wind waves 1 to 2 ft. W swell 6 to  9 ft at 12 seconds becoming 8 ft at 12 seconds in the afternoon.  
TONIGHT  S wind 5 to 15 kt becoming 10 to 20 kt after midnight.  Wind waves 1 to 3 ft. W swell 7 ft at 13 seconds.

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