 |
| Lingcod |
Lingcod Ophiodon elongatus
Lingcod range from Kodiak Island to northern Baja, California and possibly to the Bering Sea. They are found on the bottom, with most individuals occupying rocky areas at depths of 10 to 100 m (32-328 ft). They have been found at depths of 427 m (1,400 ft). Lingcod can grow up to 152 cm (60 in) in length, and 59 kg (130 lbs) in weight. Maximum age is 14 years for males and 20 years for females. The WA state record is held by Tom Nelson who hooked a 61 lb ling in the San Juans in July 1986. (WDFW)
Today's top story in Salish Current: Growing Good in Skagit County
As drought worsens, Western states brace for wildfires, water shortages
From the Rockies to the Cascades to the Sierra Nevada, mountainsides across the West are sparsely covered by the snow that usually blankets the high country well into the summer. This year, Western states are heading into the summer with a desperately low balance — threatening wildfires, drinking water, crops, electricity and more. Alex Brown reports. (Washington State Standard)
Inside Haida Gwaii’s historic plan to ditch diesel
Solar North, the first large-scale solar project on a remote grid in B.C., is just the start. Zoë Yunker reports. (The Narwhal)
From the Rockies to the Cascades to the Sierra Nevada, mountainsides across the West are sparsely covered by the snow that usually blankets the high country well into the summer. This year, Western states are heading into the summer with a desperately low balance — threatening wildfires, drinking water, crops, electricity and more. Alex Brown reports. (Washington State Standard)
Inside Haida Gwaii’s historic plan to ditch diesel
Solar North, the first large-scale solar project on a remote grid in B.C., is just the start. Zoë Yunker reports. (The Narwhal)
Port of Tacoma looks to sell massive Thurston County property to mining company
A Puyallup sand-and-gravel firm is the latest entity proposing to take on more than 700 acres of Port of Tacoma property in Thurston County. It marks the third time the port has made moves to offload the 745-acre site historically known as the port’s “Maytown property” after initially entering into an unsuccessful joint venture with Port of Olympia to develop the acreage two decades ago. Debbie Cockrell reports. (Tacoma News Tribune)
West Coast’s first yellow-legged hornet intercepted in Vancouver, Washington
Agriculture officials are asking people in the Vancouver, Washington, area to report any sightings of a yellow-legged hornet, an invasive species native to Southeast Asia. Yellow-legged hornets have invaded areas ranging from Korea and Japan to Europe and the southeast United States. They are smaller but more aggressive than the northern giant hornets —popularly, if unfairly, known as ‘murder hornets.’ John Ryan reports. (KUOW)
Ecology study finds bacteria in Snohomish River tied to aging septic systems
For decades, local groups have engaged in cleanup efforts to improve water quality in the Snohomish River. Those efforts are working — according to a recent study from the Washington Department of Ecology — but most tributaries still do not meet state targets for certain bacteria levels. Jenna Peterson reports. (Everett Herald)
They Were Promised New Septic Tanks. Trump Called It ‘Illegal DEI.’
The Justice Department ended a deal that had helped fund a solution to the sewage crisis in rural Alabama. “Almost like we are starting all over again,” one activist said. Bernard Mokam reports. (NY Times)
A Puyallup sand-and-gravel firm is the latest entity proposing to take on more than 700 acres of Port of Tacoma property in Thurston County. It marks the third time the port has made moves to offload the 745-acre site historically known as the port’s “Maytown property” after initially entering into an unsuccessful joint venture with Port of Olympia to develop the acreage two decades ago. Debbie Cockrell reports. (Tacoma News Tribune)
West Coast’s first yellow-legged hornet intercepted in Vancouver, Washington
Agriculture officials are asking people in the Vancouver, Washington, area to report any sightings of a yellow-legged hornet, an invasive species native to Southeast Asia. Yellow-legged hornets have invaded areas ranging from Korea and Japan to Europe and the southeast United States. They are smaller but more aggressive than the northern giant hornets —popularly, if unfairly, known as ‘murder hornets.’ John Ryan reports. (KUOW)
Ecology study finds bacteria in Snohomish River tied to aging septic systems
For decades, local groups have engaged in cleanup efforts to improve water quality in the Snohomish River. Those efforts are working — according to a recent study from the Washington Department of Ecology — but most tributaries still do not meet state targets for certain bacteria levels. Jenna Peterson reports. (Everett Herald)
They Were Promised New Septic Tanks. Trump Called It ‘Illegal DEI.’
The Justice Department ended a deal that had helped fund a solution to the sewage crisis in rural Alabama. “Almost like we are starting all over again,” one activist said. Bernard Mokam reports. (NY Times)
Nature makes Canada a whole lotta money. We’ve got the charts to prove it
Conserved and protected areas in Canada are invaluable — but we have 9 charts that try to capture their economic impact. Julia-Simone Rutgers reports. (The Narwhal)
WA public lands agency confronts operating cash crunch, as logging revenue lags
A key account is expected to have a deficit by June. Lands Commissioner Dave Upthegrove argues his decision to set aside some older forests is not to blame. Aspen Ford reports. (Washington State Standard)
Conserved and protected areas in Canada are invaluable — but we have 9 charts that try to capture their economic impact. Julia-Simone Rutgers reports. (The Narwhal)
WA public lands agency confronts operating cash crunch, as logging revenue lags
A key account is expected to have a deficit by June. Lands Commissioner Dave Upthegrove argues his decision to set aside some older forests is not to blame. Aspen Ford reports. (Washington State Standard)
To move a 40-ton fin whale carcass, Samish Island finds a way
Equal parts somber scene and spectacle, hundreds of people descended on the normally quiet beach on Samish Island last week for what would likely be a once-in-a-lifetime viewing: an endangered fin whale, known for its size and speed, close enough to touch its rubbery skin and hear the hisses of gas buildup in its carcass. Paige Cornwell reports. (Seattle Times)
Equal parts somber scene and spectacle, hundreds of people descended on the normally quiet beach on Samish Island last week for what would likely be a once-in-a-lifetime viewing: an endangered fin whale, known for its size and speed, close enough to touch its rubbery skin and hear the hisses of gas buildup in its carcass. Paige Cornwell reports. (Seattle Times)
First wild Island marmots are out of hibernation
Vancouver Island marmots now number 427 in 35 colonies — up from just 22 marmots in 2003 — in Vancouver Island’s alpine meadows, ranging from Nanaimo Lakes and the Comox Valley to Strathcona Park and Mount Cain. Darron Kloster reports. (Times Colonist)
Democracy Watch
Vancouver Island marmots now number 427 in 35 colonies — up from just 22 marmots in 2003 — in Vancouver Island’s alpine meadows, ranging from Nanaimo Lakes and the Comox Valley to Strathcona Park and Mount Cain. Darron Kloster reports. (Times Colonist)
Democracy Watch
- Reflecting Pool repairs to cost $13.1 million. Trump had promised $1.8M (NY Times)
- One-third say at least one Trump assassination attempt was faked, poll says (USA Today)
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- 301 PM PDT Mon May 11 2026
TUE E wind 5 to 10 kt. Seas 3 to 4 ft. Wave Detail: E 2 ft at 5 seconds and W 4 ft at 11 seconds.
TUE NIGHT W wind 5 to 10 kt. Seas 3 to 4 ft. Wave Detail: W 4 ft at 11 seconds.
West Entrance U.S. Waters Strait Of Juan De Fuca- 301 PM PDT Mon May 11 2026
TUE E wind 5 to 10 kt. Seas 3 to 4 ft. Wave Detail: E 2 ft at 5 seconds and W 4 ft at 11 seconds.
TUE NIGHT W wind 5 to 10 kt. Seas 3 to 4 ft. Wave Detail: W 4 ft at 11 seconds.
---
"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.
Salish Sea News: Communicate, Educate,
Advocate
