10/29 Red-breasted merganser, bear dens, yelloweye rockfish, big jelly, Whatcom comp plan, shrunken glaciers, Jimenez out, humpback killed,Tumlber RidgeLines, Robinson in, democracy watch.

 

Red-breasted Merganser 

Red-breasted Merganser Mergus serrator
The Red-breasted Merganser is a shaggy-headed diving duck also known as the "sawbill"; named for its thin bill with tiny serrations on it that it uses to keep hold of slippery fish. It breeds in the boreal forest on freshwater and saltwater wetlands. Red-breasted Mergansers need to eat 15 to 20 fish per day, which researchers suggest means they need to dive underwater 250–300 times per day or forage for 4–5 hours to meet their energy needs.  (All About Birds)

Today's top story in Salish Current:  Agroforestry practices spread in NW Washington 

On Haida Gwaii, logging took the trees that bears called home. Now, the Haida Nation is building them new dens 
The Haida Nation is crafting artificial dens from stumps to shelter coastal black bears for the upcoming winter, while hoping the effort doesn’t become an excuse for clear-cutting to continue unchecked. onal Gupta reports. (The Narwhal) 

Oregon yelloweye rockfish fishery to reopen after 25-year closure 
According to Oregon Public Broadcasting, yelloweye rockfish was declared overfished in 2002, leading to the closure of commercial fishing for the species. A recent assessment found the population has since rebuilt enough to allow limited commercial harvest beginning in 2027. (National Fisherman) 

Heaviest jellyfish on Earth filmed on night dive in Pacific Ocean
Back in 2024, an underwater videographer shared enchanting footage of a lion’s mane jellyfish captured during a night dive in the Salish Sea – a marginal sea of the Pacific Ocean between British Columbia in Canada and Washington State in the United States. The creature was so gigantic that it took him over a minute to find it after first spotting its trailing tentacles. Melissa Hobson reports. (Discover Wildlife) 

Environmental groups take Whatcom County to court over comp plan
Two local environmental nonprofits, RE Sources and Whatcom Environmental Council, have joined Futurewise, a planning nonprofit, to appeal Whatcom County’s comprehensive plan to a state hearings board, saying it falls short of state requirements around climate change.  Julia Tillman reports. (CDN) 

More than a third of western states’ glacial cover has been lost since 1950s as planet warms
Six western states, including Oregon, have lost more than one-third of their glacial cover since 1950 and more than 300 glaciers in those states have disappeared entirely as the earth has rapidly warmed, a first-of-its-kind inventory and analysis confirms. Their latest study, recently published in the journal of the National Academy of Sciences, looks at size and volume data from 1,331 Western glaciers, not all federally recognized. It compares that data to historical USGS glacial mapping data recorded between 1950 and 1980. Alex Baumhardt reports. (Washington State Standard) 

Nicolas Jimenez out as B.C. Ferries CEO, review launched
CEO Nicolas Jimenez is no longer the CEO of B.C. Ferries, with the company saying its board initiated a "leadership transition" and "revitalization review." Karin Larsen reports. (CBC) 

Humpback whale found dead was struck by B.C. Ferries vessel: DFO
Ferry passengers felt a collision with a whale on Oct. 18 while travelling on the Queen of Surrey between Langdale Terminal on the Sunshine Coast and Horseshoe Bay in West Vancouver. Alanna Kelly reports. (CBC) 

Every Paper in One BC Region Closed. Reporters Refused to Give Up
When Tumbler Ridge’s only newspaper closed a decade ago, Trent Ernst started his own publication, Tumbler RidgeLines. He’s among a small community of local news reporters who remain in northeast BC. Amanda Follett Hosgood reports. (The Tyee) 

Sean Robinson takes helm as editor of Washington State Standard
Born in Washington, Robinson started his career in suburban weekly newspapers before moving to the Tacoma News Tribune, where he spent 20 years as an award-winning investigative reporter before shifting to an editing role. (Washington State Standard) 

Democracy Watch

• WA’s election chief says federal noncitizen voting list includes citizens (Washington State Standard) 
• National Guard and DOJ expected around Washington's 2026 midterm election (KUOW) 
• Peltola's campaign involved in effort to recruit second Dan Sullivan for Alaska Senate race (AP) 

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-  142 PM PDT Wed Oct 28 2026    

THU  SE wind 10 to 15 kt. Seas 4 to 6 ft. Wave Detail: E 2 ft  at 3 seconds and W 4 ft at 10 seconds. Rain. THU NIGHT  E wind 10 to 15 kt. Seas 3 to 4 ft. Wave Detail: E  3 ft at 4 seconds and W 3 ft at 11 seconds. A chance of rain.

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"Salish Sea News & Weather" is compiled as a community service by Mike Sato.  To subscribe? Questions? Email msato(at)salish-current.org. Your email information is never shared and you can unsubscribe at any time.



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10/28 Douglas maple, ropeless crab traps, OR 3-mile rule, Project PULSE, democracy watch.

Douglas Maple [Native Plants PNW]

 
Douglas Maple Acer glabrum var. douglasii
One of three native maple species in the Pacific Northwest, Douglas Maple var. douglasii, is found from coastal southeast Alaska and British Columbia, to southern Oregon; east to Idaho and Montana. Fall foliage ranges from yellow to orange to crimson.  (Native Plants PNW)

Today's top story in Salish Current:  Tax fraud conviction shadows Skagit County treasurer candidate Garrison

No Strings Attached
A new fishery in California shows how ropeless crab traps can prevent whales from becoming entangled in fishing lines. Madeline Ostrander reports. (The Narwhal) 

Oregon looking at new rules for 3-mile-wide ribbon of ocean along the coast
The Oregon Department of State Lands wants to strengthen protections for Oregon’s marine ecosystem and ensure Oregonians get fair compensation for the use of the seafloor. Kristian Foden-Vencil reports. (OPB) 

DOE Awards Puget Sound Energy $40.2M for Washington State 'Project PULSE' Transmission Upgrades
PSE is matching the $40.2 million federal grant, bringing the total investment in regional grid modernization to approximately $80.4 million. Eric Moody reports. (T&DWorld) 

Canadian youth ask courts to hold governments accountable for meaningful climate action
A landmark trial in Canada is part of a growing global wave of climate litigation testing whether governments can be held legally responsible for failing to protect people from a warming world. Stefan Labbé reports. (The Narwhal) 

Democracy Watch

• ICE arrests surge at Seattle-area Home Depot parking lots. Neighbors are on the lookout. (KUOW) 
• Incoming premier denounces white supremacists at legislature (Times Colonist) 

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-  103 PM PDT Tue Oct 27 2026    
WED  SW wind 5 to 10 kt, becoming S in the afternoon. Seas 3 to  5 ft. Wave Detail: W 5 ft at 10 seconds and W 2 ft at 14 seconds.  A chance of rain in the morning, then rain in the afternoon.  
WED NIGHT  SE wind 5 to 10 kt, becoming E 10 to 15 kt after  midnight. Seas 3 to 5 ft. Wave Detail: E 2 ft at 4 seconds and W  5 ft at 10 seconds. Rain.

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"Salish Sea News & Weather" is compiled as a community service by Mike Sato.  To subscribe? Questions? Email msato(at)salish-current.org. Your email information is never shared and you can unsubscribe at any time.



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10/27 Red tree coral, youth climate action, BC coast tanker ban, WA rivers fishing closures. biodiversity protections, Roadless Rule repeal, Salish Sea Gateway, democracy watch.

Red tree coral [Wikipedia]

 
Red tree coral Primnoa pacifica 
Red tree coral is a species of soft coral in the family Primnoidae. It is a deep water coral found in the North Pacific Ocean, and plays an integral role in supporting benthic ecosystems. Red tree corals are made of a soluble form of calcium carbonate, which forms the reef structure, and provide food, shelter, and nutrients for surrounding organisms. (Wikipedia)

Today's top story in Salish Current:  Whatcom jail project enters design phase without 50-50 care split

Canadian youth ask courts to hold governments accountable for meaningful climate action
A landmark trial in Canada is part of a growing global wave of climate litigation testing whether governments can be held legally responsible for failing to protect people from a warming world. Stefan Labbé reports. (The Narwhal) 

Federal Conservatives renew push to end B.C. North Coast tanker ban
Tory bill to scrap the ban heads to 2nd reading in Parliament this week. (Canadian Press) 

WDFW closes many western Washington rivers to fishing, citing historically low flows
The closures, which took effect Oct. 24, prohibit fishing for salmon and all game fish in several major river systems and tributaries. (KING) 

Every Day, Humankind Saws Another Branch Off the Tree of Life’
As countries meet to rescue a global nature agreement, scientists warn of a ‘dramatic weakening’ of Canada’s biodiversity protections. Sarah Cox reports. (The Tyee) 

Loggers say Roadless Rule repeal won't solve their biggest challenges
With the formal repeal of the Roadless Rule rule expected early next year, the picture on the ground in timber country looks messier. Those who make a living in the forests say the problems are much bigger than access to more trees. Kurt Seigler reports. (OPB/NPR) 

DP World Inaugurates CAD$22 Million Salish Sea Gateway
DP World has inaugurated its CAD$22 million Salish Sea Gateway, British Columbia’s first dedicated short-sea shipping facility, designed to strengthen trade connectivity between Vancouver Island and British Columbia’s Lower Mainland. (DredgeWire) 

Democracy Watch

• Trump administration asks Washington to set aside ballots from 400 voters it says may be noncitizens (AP) 
• Thousands of observers are expected to descend on polling places to monitor the vote on Election Day (AP) 

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-  221 PM PDT Mon Oct 26 2026    
TUE  SW wind 5 to 10 kt, becoming W 10 to 15 kt in the  afternoon. Seas 3 to 5 ft. Wave Detail: W 4 ft at 9 seconds. A  chance of rain in the afternoon.  
TUE NIGHT  SW wind 10 to 15 kt. Seas 3 to 5 ft. Wave Detail: W  4 ft at 9 seconds. Rain.

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"Salish Sea News & Weather" is compiled as a community service by Mike Sato.  To subscribe? Questions? Email msato(at)salish-current.org. Your email information is never shared and you can unsubscribe at any time.



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10/26 Coral mushrooms, BC election, BC Conservative gov't, democracy watch.

Coral Mushrooms

Coral Mushrooms Ramaria
Coral mushrooms are some of the most visually striking fungi in the Pacific Northwest. They look like underwater corals transplanted to the forest floor — clusters of branching, upright fingers in colors ranging from bright orange and crimson to pale yellow and purple. Most belong to the genus Ramaria, but several other genera produce coral-like forms. (Salish Mushrooms)

Today's top story in Salish Current:  To keep Lopez fed, keep local farms thriving

B.C.’s Conservative party just won a majority. Here’s what it means for the environment 
Following a snap election called by the BC NDP, the Conservatives have won the 2026 election. From oil and gas to Indigenous Rights, here’s what it plans to change. Shannon Waters reports. (The Narwhal) 

What to expect from the new B.C. Conservative government
Party has promised to not raise taxes, scrap Massey Tunnel replacement and repeal DRIPA. (CBC)

Democracy Watch

• Musk says he was behind Starlink speed restriction after service in Ukraine is restored (AP) 
• Trump’s DOJ sues over Alaska Senate race, expanding preelection legal fights (Washington State Standard) 
  
  

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-  146 PM PDT Sun Oct 25 2026    
MON  E wind 5 to 10 kt, becoming SE in the afternoon. Seas  around 3 ft. Wave Detail: E 2 ft at 4 seconds and W 2 ft at  11 seconds.  
MON NIGHT  SW wind around 5 kt. Seas around 2 ft or less, then  around 3 ft after midnight. Wave Detail: W 3 ft at 9 seconds.

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"Salish Sea News & Weather" is compiled as a community service by Mike Sato.  To subscribe? Questions? Email msato(at)salish-current.org. Your email information is never shared and you can unsubscribe at any time.



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10/23 Redhead, ghost net cleanup, Skagit Island Unit, BC Ferries, coral reef ecosystems, seagrass, democracy watch, week in review.

Redhead [Bryan Calk]

 

Redhead Aythya americana
With a gleaming cinnamon head setting off a body marked in black and business gray, adult male Redheads light up the open water of lakes and coastlines. These sociable ducks molt, migrate, and winter in sometimes-huge flocks, particularly along the Gulf Coast, where winter numbers can reach the thousands. Summers find them nesting in reedy ponds of the Great Plains and West. Female and young Redheads are uniform brown, with the same black-tipped, blue-gray bill as the male. (All About Birds) 

Today's top story in Salish Current:  Samish Crest fires raise concerns about prevention in urban-adjacent woods

‘Gratifying and humbling’: First Nation leads ghost net cleanup from Interior B.C. rivers
For two decades, TLKemchEEN has facilitated the annual cleanup of the Fraser and Thompson rivers to support salmon and other aquatic life. Santana Dreaver reports. (The Narwhal) 

State temporarily reopens Skagit Wildlife Area's Island Unit
The unit, located near Conway, is accessible only by boat. Fish and Wildlife began restoration of 270 acres of estuary at the unit in July, and expected to keep it closed through fall 2028. The department and its contractor have paused construction for the winter. The unit reopened Saturday and will remain open through March. Emma Fletcher-Frazer reports. (Skagit Valley Herald) 

Unions Call on Next Government to Build Ferries in BC
After a year of political discontent over BC Ferries’ decision to hire a Chinese state-owned shipyard to build four new vessels, the three front-runners in the B.C. election have all committed to supporting ferry-building in this province. Isaac Pham Nay reports. (The Tyee)

Almost all coral reef ecosystems face risk of collapse in 50 years, study warns
An assessment of the world's coral reef ecosystems has found that almost all face a high risk of collapse in the next 50 years mostly due to warming oceans and heat waves. Michael Casey reports.(Associated Press) 

The Curious Connection Between Bacteria, Seagrass, and Carbon
New research shows that seagrass depends on the bacteria around it—and that the antibiotics entering our oceans could disrupt that relationship. Scarlett Buckley reports. (bioGraphic) 

Democracy Watch

• Judge blocks Homeland Security from conducting election-related sweeps in 9 states (Washington State Standard) 

Salish Sea News Week in Review 10/23/26: Mole Day, Stillaguamish Tribe restoration, Tranquil Cr restoration, invasive beetle, bear baiting, humpback killed, SRKW population, sunken tires removal. 

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-  138 AM PDT Fri Oct 23 2026    
TODAY  NW wind 5 to 10 kt, becoming E late this morning and  early afternoon, backing to NW late. Seas 4 to 6 ft. Wave Detail:  W 6 ft at 10 seconds.  
TONIGHT  W wind around 5 kt, backing to S around 5 kt after  midnight. Seas 3 to 4 ft. Wave Detail: W 4 ft at 10 seconds.  
SAT  SE wind 5 to 10 kt, rising to 10 to 15 kt in the  afternoon. Seas 3 to 4 ft. Wave Detail: W 4 ft at 10 seconds. A  chance of rain in the afternoon.  
SAT NIGHT  SE wind 15 to 20 kt. Seas 5 to 7 ft. Wave Detail: E  7 ft at 8 seconds. Rain.  
SUN  SE wind 15 to 20 kt, easing to 10 to 15 kt in the  afternoon. Seas 5 to 7 ft. Wave Detail: E 6 ft at 9 seconds.  Rain.

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"Salish Sea News & Weather" is compiled as a community service by Mike Sato.  To subscribe? Questions? Email msato(at)salish-current.org. Your email information is never shared and you can unsubscribe at any time.



savesalishsea@bluesky.social

Salish Sea News: Communicate, Educate, Advocate



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10/22 Blood star, new SRKW calf, BC voter guide, BC poll, tire removal, democracy watch.

Pacific blood star

 

Pacific blood star Henricia leviuscula
Pacific blood star is a species of sea star found along the Pacific coast of North America. They can usually be identified by their bright orange-red color, but there can also be many variations from tan to almost purple. The disk can be a mottled gray color. Its range is from Alaska to Baja California. (Wikipedia) 

Today's top story in Salish Current:  Inside the obsessive, beautiful world of Bellingham’s fungi experts

'Definitely good news': New southern resident killer whale calf spotted
The calf appears healthy, but researchers warn that life is hard for young killer whales. Scott Van Haren reports. (Times Colonist) 

Your B.C. election guide to key climate and environment issues 
Here’s where the NDP, Conservatives and Greens stand on fossil fuels, Indigenous Rights and energy. Shannon Waters reports. (The Narwhal) 

Affordability leapfrogs environment, even in eco-savvy B.C.
An Ipsos poll in September found just 12 per cent of British Columbians ranked the environment and climate change as among their top three election priorities. Jack Knox writes. (Times Colonist) 

WA state removes 2,000 tires from Thurston County park. Why were they there? 
Work crews removed about 2,000 tires offshore of Frye Cove Park in northwest Thurston County this month. Several state groups sunk thousands of tires across Puget Sound between the 1960s and 80s, according to DNR. They hoped the tires would serve as artificial reef habitat for rocket fish and lingcod populations, both of which dwindled due to overfishing around the same time period. Despite good intentions, DNR says subsequent surveys found fish were not using the tires as habitat. Martín Bilbao reports. (The Olympian) 

Democracy Watch

• New Mexico judge orders Meta to pay state $25B (Washington State Standard) 
• School choice expansion fuels growth of classical Christian schools (AP) 

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-  207 PM PDT Wed Oct 21 2026    
THU  W wind 5 to 10 kt, rising to 15 to 20 kt in the afternoon.  Seas 4 to 6 ft. Wave Detail: W 6 ft at 11 seconds.  
THU NIGHT  W wind 10 to 15 kt, becoming NW around 5 kt after  midnight. Seas 5 to 7 ft. Wave Detail: W 7 ft at 10 seconds.

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"Salish Sea News & Weather" is compiled as a community service by Mike Sato.  To subscribe? Questions? Email msato(at)salish-current.org. 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


10/21 Golden-crowned sparrow, oil tanker terminal, SRKW population, Alberta separation, Medicaid cuts.

Golden-crowned sparrow [Gregg Thompson]

 

Golden-crowned sparrow Zonotrichia atricapilla 
The Golden-crowned Sparrow has bright breeding plumage with a bright yellow crown flanked with bold, black bars. Golden-crowned Sparrows are most commonly considered a migrant and wintering bird in Washington, and are one of the most common wintering sparrows in western Washington, especially on the coast and up the Columbia Gorge as far as Lyle. (BirdWeb)

Today's top story in Salish Current:  Whatcom County’s Kidney Moonshot: A goal within reach

Elbows up in Washington state over Canada’s proposed oil tanker terminal on border
Critics searching for leverage against pipeline project that would carry 1M barrels of oil a day to waiting supertankers in British Columbia. Tom Banse reports. (Washington State Standard)  ‘A whole order of magnitude greater’: San Juan responders prepare for unprecedented megatanker traffic. Sam Fletcher reports. (Salish Current) 

Southern resident orca population inches up, but still low
The latest census of the critically endangered orcas found 76 as of July 1, up from 74 during the same period a year ago. Darron Kloster reports. (Times Colonist) 

Alberta Gives Its Answer: ‘The Separation Stuff Is Crap’
Voters soundly reject pursuing a split from Canada. But anti-immigrant proposals were winning. Leah Hennig reports. (The Tyee) 

WA hospitals anticipate losing billions in revenue from Medicaid cuts
New work requirements take effect Jan. 1. Healthcare leaders say this will affect all patients, not just those on Medicaid. Jake Goldstein-Street reports. (Washington State Standard)

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-  202 PM PDT Tue Oct 20 2026    
WED  E wind around 5 kt, backing to NW in the afternoon. Seas  3 to 4 ft. Wave Detail: W 3 ft at 11 seconds.  
WED NIGHT  W wind 5 to 10 kt. Seas 3 to 5 ft. Wave Detail: NW  2 ft at 5 seconds and W 5 ft at 11 seconds.

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"Salish Sea News & Weather" is compiled as a community service by Mike Sato.  To subscribe? Questions? Email msato(at)salish-current.org. Your email information is never shared and you can unsubscribe at any time.



savesalishsea@bluesky.social

Salish Sea News: Communicate, Educate, Advocate



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