1/14 PS rockfish, Roberts Bank, baby orca, snowfall, avian flu, underwater volcano, Burley Lagoon

Puget Sound rockfish [Race Rocks]

Puget Sound rockfish Sebastes emphaeus
The Puget Sound rockfish is one of the smallest rockfish species and has a very slim body. Puget Sound rockfish range from Prince William Sound, Alaska, to Punta Gorda, California. Adults have been found at water depths of 3 to 366 m (10-1,200 ft). They prefer high-relief rocky outcrops or boulder fields with high currents and often form small schools. Puget Sound rockfish can grow up to 18.3 cm (7.2 in) in length. Maximum age is at least 22 years old. (WDFW)


Today's top story in Salish Current: 40th, 42nd district legislators advance session priorities

Federal Court rejects environmentalists' bid to halt B.C. port expansion
A Federal Court judge has thrown out a legal challenge by environmental groups that claimed allowing the expansion of a massive container facility on British Columbia's waterfront would threaten the survival of southern resident killer whales and salmon. The Federal Court dismissed the group's judicial review on Friday, ruling that the decisions by the federal environment minister and the cabinet to allow the project to proceed were reasonable. Darryl Greer reports. (Canadian Press)

‘Heartbreaking’ loss of newborn orca spurs renewed call for federal emergency order
The federal government found southern resident killer whales face imminent threats to their survival. Conservation groups say an emergency order to protect the population is urgently needed. Ainslie Cruickshank reports. (The Narwhal)

Oregon snowfall projected to drop 50% by 2100 among findings in latest state climate report
Oregonians born today are likely to experience a future of more drought, more rain and less snow under warming average global temperatures due to human-caused climate change. That’s one conclusion in the 314-page Seventh Oregon Climate Assessment  published Wednesday. Alex Baumhardt reports. (Oregon Capital Chronicle)

B.C. ostrich farm ordered to kill 400 birds after avian flu outbreak
Universal Ostrich Farms is hoping the Canadian Food Inspection Agency will reverse its order after avian flu was detected on the farm. David Carrigg reports. (Vancouver Sun)   Kitsap farms taking precaution, watching warily as bird flu outbreak continues Conor Wilson reports. (Kitsap Sun)  Role reversal: Avian flu makes birds a menace to cats John Ryan and Casey Martin report. (KUOW)

Underwater volcano off B.C. coast primed to erupt
The Axial Seamount is not expected to threaten human population centres but it could help scientists forecast the eruption of more dangerous volcanoes. Stefan Labbé reports. (Times Colonist)

In the Swirling Waters of Burley Lagoon
Chris Rurik captures the history and ecology of Burley Lagoon in "Low Tide" Part 1  and the long struggle between Taylor Shellfish Farms and local residents over a proposed 25-acre geoduck farm in "High Tide" Part 2.  (Substack)

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Here's your tug weather—
West Entrance U.S. Waters Strait Of Juan De Fuca-  246 AM PST Tue Jan 14 2025   TODAY  NW wind around 5 kt, veering to SE late this morning and  early afternoon, backing to E late. Seas 4 to 6 ft. Wave Detail:  W 6 ft at 16 seconds. Areas of fog this morning.  
TONIGHT  SE wind 5 to 10 kt. Seas 4 to 6 ft. Wave Detail: W  6 ft at 15 seconds. Areas of fog after midnight.

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