2/20 Pearlfish, fed worker firings, Columbia River Treaty, ecosystem report, rats, first 100 days

 

Pearlfish [Photo: Helfman and Collette,
Fishes: The Animal Answer Guide]

Pinctada oysters and Pearlfish
From reader Gene Helfman: "A little more about Pinctada oysters. They do form pearls, called blister pearls, in much the same way that pearl oysters do. And it can lead to interesting results. For example, pearlfishes in the tropical Pacific hide inside Pinctada oysters by day and emerge at night to feed. A famous example, and one that likely explains the origin of the common name for pearlfishes, involves a pearlfish that became entombed inside a Pinctada oyster. The oyster laid down layer upon layer of mother-of-pearl, forming a blister pearl."

Today's top story in Salish Current: Asylum seekers find refuge in Lynden

Bracing for impacts on land, water and wildlife after feds fire thousands
A President’s Day weekend swept by fear and grief from the sudden termination of thousands of federal employees in the U.S. Forest Service and Department of Interior left chaos and uncertainty after the latest assault on the federal workforce by the Trump administration and Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency. Christine Peterson reports. (High County News)

For 60 years, this Canada-U.S. treaty governed money, power and a river. With Trump's threats, what now?
Columbia River Treaty compensates Canada to manage waterway for U.S. hydropower, flood control. Yvette Brend reports. (CBC)

WWU receives grant to update and expand Health of the Salish Sea Ecosystem Report
New research led by Dr. Aquila Flower will add climate change and landscape change indicators to a collaborative report on trends in the transboundary Salish Sea ecosystem. Jennifer Nerad reports. (WWU News)

The Future Looks Ratty
In a warming world, urban rats are thriving. There’s a simple solution, but the implementation isn’t easy. Benji Jones reports. (bioGraphic)

The First 100 Days
Trump backs idea to send some DOGE savings to American citizens  (Associated Press)
Trump says federal government should ‘take over’ DC, backing congressional GOP push (Associated Press)

Have you read the Salish Current? 
Independent, fact based news for Whatcom, San Juan and Skagit counties. Community supported, free from ads. Read the latest weekly newsletter here.

Here's your tug weather—
West Entrance U.S. Waters Strait Of Juan De Fuca-  807 AM PST Thu Feb 20 2025    
REST OF TODAY  S wind 5 to 10 kt, backing to SE late this  morning, then becoming E 10 to 15 kt this afternoon. Seas 6 to  9 ft, subsiding to 4 to 6 ft this afternoon. Wave Detail: W 6 ft  at 14 seconds. Rain early this morning, then a chance of rain  early this afternoon. A slight chance of rain late.  
TONIGHT  SE wind 10 to 15 kt, rising to 15 to 20 kt after  midnight. Seas 3 to 5 ft, building to 5 to 7 ft after midnight.  Wave Detail: E 3 ft at 4 seconds, S 2 ft at 8 seconds and W 7 ft  at 14 seconds. Rain.

---


"Salish Sea News & Weather" is compiled as a community service by Mike Sato. It is included as a daily feature in the Salish Current newsletter. Click here to subscribe. Questions? Email msato(at)salishseacom.com. Your email information is never shared and you can unsubscribe at any time.



Salish Sea News: Communicate, Educate, Advocate



Salish Sea Communications: Truth Well Told