2/6 Squid, more TM oil, WA dead bills, salmon grant, democracy watch, week in review.

Market squid [David Andrew/WDFW]

Market squid Loligo opalescens
Squid belong to the class of mollusks known as cephalopods, which also include octopus. Squid are decapods, having 10 tentacles, compared to the eight arms of octopuses. They also are free-swimming creatures and exhibit schooling behavior similar to many species of fish. Adult market squid found in inside waters average about 8 inches (mantle plus tentacles). Market squid are short-lived, probably having life spans of no more than one year. (WDFW)

Today's top story in Salish Current:  Flooded homes, hidden lives: volunteers step up for undocumented residents

Trans Mountain proceeding with first of three expansions of oil pipeline
Trans Mountain is moving ahead with its first project to pump more oil through its pipeline system between Alberta and British Columbia. The Crown corporation applied to the Canada Energy Regulator this week to use drag reducing agents (DRA) with the goal of moving up to 10 per cent more oil. The project would cost $9 million, and construction is expected to begin this August, and could be operational by January 2027. Kyle Bakx reports. (CBC) 

The bills that didn’t survive the WA Legislature’s first major deadline
Many policy ideas in the Washington Legislature met their end less than a month in, as they failed to pass the first key deadline on Wednesday to remain in play. Passage of those that survived is far from assured. If bills cost money, they have to advance past another committee by the end of Monday. They’ll then have to pass out of the chamber they originated in by Feb. 17. Jake Goldstein-Street reports. (Washington State Standard) 

Port Angeles secures grant to aid in salmon recovery
The city announced Wednesday the state Department of Commerce had given it a $109,000 grant to support the integration of salmon recovery into city planning efforts. Emily Hanson reports. (Peninsula Daily News) 

Democracy Watch

• ICE agents can’t make warrantless arrests in Oregon unless there’s a risk of escape, US judge rules (AP) 
• Trump Education Department bolsters protections for prayer in schools (Washington State Standard) 

Salish Sea News Week in Review 2/6/26: Chopsticks Friday, fish farm ban, Oly marmot, BC spill risk, nuke reactor exemptions, BC polluter pay rule, MAHA and EPA, wind and solar project delay, BC winter, more TM oil, WA dead bills.

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 weekend tug weather— 
West Entrance U.S. Waters Strait Of Juan De Fuca-  217 AM PST Fri Feb 6 2026    
TODAY  SE wind 5 to 10 kt. Seas 4 to 6 ft. Wave Detail: SW 2 ft  at 13 seconds and W 6 ft at 15 seconds.  
TONIGHT  SE wind 10 to 15 kt, rising to 15 to 20 kt after  midnight. Seas 4 to 6 ft. Wave Detail: SE 3 ft at 6 seconds and  SW 6 ft at 14 seconds. A chance of rain in the evening, then rain  after midnight.  
SAT  SE wind 15 to 20 kt, veering to S in the afternoon. Seas  5 to 7 ft. Wave Detail: SE 4 ft at 4 seconds, W 7 ft at  12 seconds and SW 5 ft at 12 seconds. Rain.  
SAT NIGHT  SW wind 10 to 15 kt, easing to 5 to 10 kt after  midnight. Seas 4 to 6 ft. Wave Detail: S 2 ft at 5 seconds and W  6 ft at 12 seconds. Rain likely, mainly in the evening.  
SUN  S wind 5 to 10 kt. Seas 4 to 6 ft. Wave Detail: W 6 ft at  13 seconds. A chance of rain in the morning, then rain likely in  the afternoon.

---


"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.



savesalishsea@bluesky.social

Salish Sea News: Communicate, Educate, Advocate



Salish Sea Communications: Truth Well Told