12/31 Humpback whale, tire removal, seastar recovery, democracy watch, week in review.

Editor's note: Last day of the year, last day to have your donation doubled [salish-current.org/donate] in support of local news and Salish Current. I am sincerely heartened by the many, many readers of News and Weather and Salish Current who have supported this nonprofit, volunteer effort. Thank you. Best wishes for a safe and healthy year to come. See you next year.  Mike Sato.

Humpback Whale [Wikipedia]

Humpback Whale Megaptera novaeangliae
The humpback whale gets its common name from the distinctive hump on its back. Its long pectoral fins inspired its scientific name, Megaptera, which means “big-winged” and novaeangliae, which means “New England,” in reference to the location where European whalers first encountered them. Humpback whales live in all oceans around the world. They travel great distances every year and have one of the longest migrations of any mammal on the planet. Some populations swim 5,000 miles from tropical breeding grounds to colder, more productive feeding grounds. Humpback whales feed on shrimp-like crustaceans (krill) and small fish, straining huge volumes of ocean water through their baleen plates, which act like a sieve. (NOAA)

Today's top story in Salish Current: Fear met solidarity — and communities worked toward justice

Drone footage captures removal of thousands of tires from Puget Sound
The state Department of Natural Resources has been trying to remove the 100,000 tires sunk in Puget Sound in the '60s and '70s to create artificial fish habitat. Over time the tires separated and migrated and may be degrading in salt water. Farah Jadran reports. (KING) 

2025: The year of the starfish (and the Pacific Northwest scientists trying to save them)
The year 2025 has been a banner year for scientists in the Pacific Northwest working to save sea stars from a mysterious wasting disease. Research groups from several universities and institutes have been tackling the problem, each looking for ways to help these important apex predators recover. They’ve found success on many fronts. Jes Burns reports. (OPB) 

Democracy Watch

• C.I.A. Conducted Drone Strike on Port in Venezuela (NY Times) 
• How Social Security has gotten worse under Trump (Washington Post) 

Salish Sea News Week in Review 12/31/25: Hogmanay!, Growlers, flooded gray whales, WA F&W Commission, warm NW, BC quake. 

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Here's your tug weather— 
West Entrance U.S. Waters Strait Of Juan De Fuca-  210 PM PST Tue Dec 30 2025    

WED  SE wind 5 to 10 kt. Seas 3 to 5 ft. Wave Detail: W 5 ft at  12 seconds.  
WED NIGHT  E wind 5 to 10 kt. Seas 3 to 5 ft. Wave Detail: W  5 ft at 11 seconds.  
THU  E wind 5 to 10 kt. Seas 3 to 5 ft. Wave Detail: W 5 ft at  11 seconds. A chance of rain in the afternoon.  
THU NIGHT  E wind 10 to 15 kt. Seas 3 to 5 ft. Wave Detail: E  2 ft at 3 seconds and W 4 ft at 10 seconds. Rain.

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"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)salish-current.com. Your email information is never shared and you can unsubscribe at any time.



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