6/2 Peony, gray whale decline, Seattle birds, Longview dead fish, Tacoma young trees, Alberta oil pipes, Skagit data centers, democracy watch.

Peony

Peony Paenoia
Peony is a genus of about 30 species of flowering plants (family Paeoniaceae) known for their large showy blossoms. All but two species are native to Europe and Asia, and several species are cultivated as ornamentals and for the floral industry. (Brittanica) 

Today's top story in Salish Current:  Fight or fleet

Gray whales are declining at an alarming rate. Why? 
So far this year, 25 gray whales have been found dead in Washington, making this year’s count the third highest in a half century, and the migration season is not over yet. Lauren Frohne reports. (Seattle Times) 

Seattle bird populations, diversity are declining, new study finds
Average bird counts across Seattle dropped by 21% from 2005 to 2023, according to a new study from Birds Connect Seattle. The nonprofit’s “Neighborhood Bird Project” volunteers have been studying birds for decades at eight Seattle sites, including Golden Gardens Park, Seward Park, and the Washington Park Arboretum. Sami West, Andy Hurst and Patricia Murphy report. (KUOW) 

Longview dead fish count nears 2,000 after pulp mill disaster
The Washington Department of Ecology reported Friday evening it had collected 23 dead fish in the affected area near the mill. By Saturday evening, crews counted 200 dead fish. By Sunday evening, nearly 2,000 fish had been found in ditches and sloughs in west Longview. Authorities expected the number of reported dead fish would continue to grow. Lauren Rosenblatt reports. (Seattle Times) 

Ensuring some of Tacoma’s youngest trees continue to thrive
Driving the streets of South Tacoma, there’s a sleek, black electric Ford Lightning F-150 truck pulling a trailer. The trailer is carrying a 500-gallon water tank on a mission to water some of Tacoma’s newest trees. Lauren Gallup reports. (NW Public Broadcasting) 

Alberta considering 3 oil pipeline routes through northern B.C., documents show
The Alberta government has considered three different pipeline routes through northern British Columbia for a new major oil export pipeline, according to documents obtained by CBC News which provide a first glimpse into where the project could be located. The provincial government is also exploring the idea of a fourth route through southern B.C. and a port in the Vancouver area. Kyle Bakx reports. (CBC) 

Skagit County temporarily bans data centers to protect farmland, water
Data centers won’t be allowed in unincorporated Skagit County for at least the next six months, after the Skagit Board of County Commissioners on Monday passed a temporary moratorium. The county will spend the time refining its development regulations around data centers in order to protect farmland and water resources. Julia Tillman reports. (CDN) 

Democracy Watch

• Pentagon policy illegally banned transgender troops from military service, appeals court panel rules (AP) 
• Pentagon Bars Reporters From Its Press Office (NY Times) 
• Pride Month 2026 has begun. Here's what to expect for the LGBTQ+ celebrations (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-  107 PM PDT Mon Jun 1 2026    
TUE  E wind 5 to 10 kt. Seas around 3 ft. Wave Detail: E 2 ft  at 3 seconds and W 3 ft at 9 seconds.  
TUE NIGHT  W wind 5 to 10 kt. Seas 3 to 4 ft. Wave Detail: W  4 ft at 12 seconds.

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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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6/1 Fuchsia, chem tank inspections, off-road vehicle rules, BC German LNG, Columbia R transmission line, democracy watch.

Fuchsia [Wikipedia]

 

Fuchsia
Fuchsia is a genus of flowering plants that consists mostly of shrubs or small trees. Almost 110 species of Fuchsia are recognized; the vast majority are native to South America, but a few occur north through Central America to Mexico, and also several from New Zealand to Tahiti. One species, F. magellanica, extends as far as the southern tip of South America, occurring on Tierra del Fuego in the cool temperate zone, but the majority are tropical or subtropical. (Wikipedia)

Today's top story in Salish Current:  The last hope for Washington’s mountain goats

WA agencies lacked role inspecting failed chemical tank in Longview mill disaster
No state agency was responsible for inspecting the 900,000-gallon chemical storage tank that burst at a mill in southwest Washington this week, leaving 11 people presumed dead. Unlike underground storage tanks that are inspected at least every three years by the Department of Ecology due to groundwater contamination risks, ensuring the safety of above-ground tanks is largely left to site operators. Aspen Ford reports. (Washington State Standard) 

Trump Lifts Restrictions on Off-Road Vehicles on Public Lands
President Trump on Friday rescinded two decades-old executive orders that restricted off-road vehicles on public lands, in a move that could lift prohibitions on their use in most national parks. Maxine Joselow reports. (NY Times) 

Ksi Lisims project would increase B.C.’s greenhouse gas emissions
The Ksi Lisims LNG project, from which liquefied natural gas would be sold to a German utility under a deal announced Wednesday, would increase B.C.'s annual greenhouse gas emissions by between six and eight per cent, according to calculations by CBC News. Under the deal, the German utility committed to purchasing a million tonnes of LNG per year, out of a projected total annual capacity of 12 million tonnes for the facility. Tara Carman reports. (CBC) 

A proposed 100-mile transmission line could be built under the Columbia River. Environmental groups and tribes say they have concerns 
This high-voltage transmission line would run under the Columbia River. Developers said the region urgently needs new transmission. There aren’t enough ways to get energy from eastern Washington and Oregon to more populated areas on the west, they said. Above-ground transmission lines pose challenges, like vulnerabilities to extreme weather and wildfires. Courtney Platt reports. (NW Public Broadcasting) 

Democracy Watch

• Pride celebrations struggle as corporate sponsorships dry up (NPR) 
• Postal Service is moving to make states comply with Trump’s mail-in voting order (Washington State Standard) 
• DHS says most immigrants won’t need to leave US to obtain green card (ABC) 

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-  440 PM PDT Sun May 31 2026    
MON  E wind 5 to 10 kt, backing to NE in the afternoon. Seas  3 to 4 ft. Wave Detail: W 4 ft at 8 seconds. MON NIGHT  W wind around 5 kt, veering to E after midnight.  Seas 3 to 4 ft. Wave Detail: W 3 ft at 8 seconds.

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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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5/29 Sablefish, Longview blast, Aboriginal title, Steven Guilbeault, BESS moratorium, AK drilling, Texas clean energy, democracy watch, week in review.

Sablefish

 
Sablefish Anoplopoma fimbria
Sablefish are a deepwater species native to the Pacific Northwest and Alaska. They are a tasty source of protein, rich in omega-3 fatty acids, and fetch a high price in local markets. They are often referred to as black cod, even though they are not actually part of the cod family. The Northern population inhabits Alaska and northern British Columbia waters; the southern population inhabits southern British Columbia, Washington, Oregon, and California waters. Both populations mix off southwest Vancouver Island and northwest Washington. (NOAA) 

Today's top story in Salish Current:  Alaska cruise line experiments with new fuel

West Coast chemical emergencies raise questions about the safety of massive industrial tanks
There are millions of chemical tanks around the U.S., and experts say it is exceedingly rare for them to fail as long as they are properly maintained and inspected. Martha Bellisle and Josh Funk report. (Associated Press)  6 of 9 missing in Nippon mill blast in Longview recovered, bringing confirmed dead to 8 (KATU) 

Ruling against Aboriginal title on private land is allowed to stand by high court
A New Brunswick ruling that Aboriginal title cannot be declared over private land has been allowed to stand by the Supreme Court of Canada, giving British Columbia an avenue to win its appeal in the landmark Cowichan Tribes case, B.C.'s attorney general said Thursday. Wolfgang Depner and Nono Shen report. (Canadian Press) 

Steven Guilbeault quits politics as Canada’s climate fight leaves the House
The ‘most ambitious environment minister Canada has ever had’ is resigning, an activist investor group is done convincing banks and fossil fuel companies — and climate action is back outside. Denise Balkissoon reports.(The Narwhal) 

Mount Vernon council extends moratorium on BESS facilities
The Mount Vernon City Council voted Wednesday to extend the city’s moratorium on battery energy storage systems, or BESS, for six months while the city continues to develop permanent regulations. The moratorium restricts the city from accepting applications for the siting, developing and constructing of BESS facilities. The moratorium has been in place since May 2025. Milo Whitman reports. (Skagit Valley Herald) 

Trump administration proposal aims to accelerate drilling amid Alaska oil industry’s revival
As major oil companies eye new drilling on Alaska’s North Slope, the Trump administration is now working to accelerate their projects by streamlining environmental reviews on federal land. It’s a move that could boost production amid what leaders describe as a “renaissance” of North Slope oil. Max Graham reports. (Northern Journal) 

Clean energy advocates facing red tape in Washington look for answers in Texas 
Despite leading the nation in progressive policies for the transition to renewable energy, Washington ranks dead last in clean energy growth. Faced with a backlog of projects, lawmakers and energy developers are looking for new ways to move forward. Some say the answers might come from Texas. Bellamy Pailthorp reports. (KNKX) 

Democracy Watch

• Judge refuses to block Trump order to limit mail voting. There’s no immediate effect on the midterms (AP) 
• Port of Bellingham considering resolution to limit civil immigration action (CDN) 
• NPR's newsroom shrinks through buyouts and layoffs (NPR) 

Salish Sea News Week in Review 5/29/26: Paper clip Friday, Vancouver port, pumped-hydro storage, BC MPA, Skeena salmon, oil company tax breaks, Germany LNG.

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 PM PDT Thu May 28 2026    
SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY IN EFFECT THROUGH FRIDAY AFTERNOON    
FRI  W wind 20 to 25 kt, rising to 25 to 30 kt in the  afternoon. Seas 8 to 11 ft. Wave Detail: NW 2 ft at 8 seconds and  W 11 ft at 10 seconds.  
FRI NIGHT  W wind 25 to 30 kt, easing to 15 to 20 kt after  midnight. Seas 7 to 10 ft, subsiding to 5 to 7 ft after midnight.  Wave Detail: W 9 ft at 9 seconds and W 5 ft at 12 seconds.  
SAT  W wind 15 to 20 kt. Seas 4 to 6 ft. Wave Detail: W 5 ft at  7 seconds and W 6 ft at 11 seconds.  
SAT NIGHT  W wind 15 to 20 kt. Seas 5 to 7 ft. Wave Detail: NW  4 ft at 6 seconds and W 7 ft at 11 seconds.  
SUN  W wind 5 to 10 kt, rising to 10 to 15 kt in the afternoon.  Seas 3 to 5 ft. Wave Detail: W 5 ft at 10 seconds.

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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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5/28 Pacific cod, monk seal rock thrower, Carney's tax break, LNG Germany deal, BC urban forest, BC Ferries Chinese vessels, democracy watch.

Pacific cod [NOAA]

Pacific cod Gadus macrocephalus
Pacific cod range from Japan to the Bering Sea and to Santa Monica, California, but are rare south of northern California. The Pacific cod can grow up to 114 centimeters (3.7 feet) in length, weigh up to 22.7 kilograms (50 pounds), and live up to 13 years. Commonly caught off the Washington coast by commercial harvesters using otter-trawls and longline gear. Recreational harvest within Puget Sound is now closed, with the exception of restricted fishing in the San Juan Islands and Strait of Juan de Fuca. (WDFW)

Today's top story in Salish Current:  Bellingham Herald staff strikes

Washington tourist pleads not guilty in Hawaiian monk seal rock case, barred from Hawaii beaches
A tourist from Washington state pleaded not guilty Wednesday to charges accusing him of hurling a coconut-sized rock at an endangered Hawaiian monk seal and was ordered to stay away from Hawaii beaches. Jennifer Sinco Kelleher reports. (Associated Press) 

Carney will give tax breaks to oil companies that capture carbon … to pump more carbon
Critics warn Canada’s plan to subsidize companies that capture pollution only to use it to produce more oil is counterproductive. Drew Anderson reports. (The Narwhal) 

Landmark LNG deal between Canada and Germany to be announced
Deal will see Ksi Lisims LNG in northwestern B.C. sell 1 million metric tonnes per year to German buyer. (CBC) 

Inside the Fight to Protect an Urban Forest in BC
‘How can the self-proclaimed salmon capital of the world not act to protect the salmon-bearing creek?’ asks a Campbell River advocate. Sarah Cox reports. (The Tyee) 

Chinese-built vessels for B.C. Ferries will be named after trees
the first four new major vessels will be called the Summit Arbutus, Summit Cedar, Summit Maple and Summit Spruce. Michael John Lo reports. (Times Colonist) 

Democracy Watch

• Edmonds becomes 3rd city in the county to cancel Flock Safety contract (Everett Herald) 

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-  125 PM PDT Wed May 27 2026    
THU  W wind 5 to 10 kt, rising to 15 to 20 kt in the afternoon.  Seas 5 to 7 ft. Wave Detail: NW 2 ft at 4 seconds, W 7 ft at  11 seconds and W 3 ft at 17 seconds.  
THU NIGHT  W wind 20 to 25 kt. Seas 7 to 10 ft. Wave Detail: NW  2 ft at 6 seconds and W 10 ft at 10 seconds.

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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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5/27 Hake, Longview implosion, BC MPA, Skeena salmon, Comox sewage, Grand Canyon fish, democracy watch.

 

Pacific hake

Pacific hake Merluccius productus
Pacific hake were one of the first fish species to occur in Saanich Inlet following glacial retreat from the region, after approximately 12,000 years before present. Offshore stocks of Pacific hake range from Sanak Island in the western Gulf of Alaska to Magdalena Bay, Baja California Sur. There are three much smaller stocks with much smaller ranges: a Puget Sound stock, a Strait of Georgia stock, and a dwarf stock limited to waters off Baja California. The offshore stock of Pacific hake is migratory and inhabits the continental slope and shelf within the California current system from Baja California to British Columbia. (WDFW)

Today's top story in Salish Current:  Local ordinances aim to protect wildlife

State agencies respond to chemical tank implosion in southwest WA
A chemical tank containing a solution known as white liquor was reported to have ruptured around 7:20 a.m. Tuesday at the Nippon Dynawave Packaging plant along the Columbia River, according to the local fire department. Authorities said multiple people died, and the number of people unaccounted for remained unknown. Nine employees and one firefighter were reported injured. The Longview Fire Department said there is no immediate threat to the public. Jake Goldstein-Street reports. (Washington State Standard) 

‘One of the Strongest Marine Protected Areas in the World’
Six First Nations, BC and Canada will preserve and steward a large chunk of the Central Coast. That means no pipelines. Michelle Gamage reports. (The Tyee) 

The past, present and future of protecting Skeena salmon
Ten years ago, Indigenous leaders led allies in protecting Lelu Island. In Prince Rupert, B.C., this month, a group took a moment to celebrate, before facing the challenge of future stewardship. Matt Simmons reports. (The Narwhal) 

'Do not flush' order issued to more than 43K Comox Valley residents amid pipe failure
The Comox Valley Regional District has issued a "do not flush" order to residents in Courtenay, K’ómoks First Nation and Comox because of an emergency failure at a wastewater pump station currently undergoing upgrades. Maryse Zeidler reports. (CBC) 

Releasing cool water protects fish in the Grand Canyon. That comes at cost to hydropower
To fight off predators of the humpback chub, a threatened fish native to the river, Glen Canyon Dam in northern Arizona would need to do what is known as a “cool mix flow,” where cold water is released from deep in its reservoir to cool the river below. But there are no hydropower turbines in the cool, deep section, so significant power generation would be lost.  Dorany Pineda and Brittany Peterson report.(Associated Press) 

Democracy Watch

• Is dividing WA in two a ‘win-win’ or ‘lose-lose’? Why some want a new state map (The Olympian) 
• Trump administration proposes NDAs for federal employees to stop leaks (AP) 
• Voluntary departures spike as immigrants face squalid detention, pressure to leave (Washington State Standard) 
• Trump DOJ mass-deletes info on Jan. 6 riot cases, including violent assaults on cops (NPR) 

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-  204 PM PDT Tue May 26 2026    
WED  W wind around 5 kt, veering to NW in the afternoon. Seas  4 to 6 ft. Wave Detail: W 6 ft at 10 seconds.  
WED NIGHT  W wind 5 to 10 kt. Seas 5 to 7 ft. Wave Detail: W  7 ft at 11 seconds and W 2 ft at 20 seconds.

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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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5/26 Walleye pollock, port expansion threat, sacred site for data center power, BC wildfire penalty, boat pump out, democracy watch.

Walleye pollock [AK Sea Life Center]

 

Walleye pollock Gadus chalcogrammus
Alaska pollock—also known as walleye pollock—is a key species in the Alaska groundfish complex and a target species for one of the world's largest fisheries. Pollock is a semipelagic schooling fish widely distributed in the North Pacific Ocean with largest concentrations in the eastern Bering Sea. (NOAA)

Today's top story in Salish Current:  Police encourage hate crime reporting, increased training

Tiny birds, and their tiny superfood, could decline due to ‘irreversible’ effects of Vancouver port expansion
The Roberts Bank Terminal 2 expansion at Canada’s busiest cargo port could be fast-tracked by the federal government. It’s a major stop for 3.5 million western sandpipers to eat and recharge while travelling the entire Pacific. A republication of a Nov. 3, 2026 feature story by Steph Kwetásel’wet Wood with new photographs by Isabelle Groc. (The Narwhal) 

‘Going green now for who?’ Yakama protest clean energy project on sacred site to power data center
Supporters of the Goldendale pumped-hydro energy storage project have said it will help meet growing regional energy demand, and the project developers tout its potential to one day power up to half a million homes without sending harmful greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. But mounting evidence shows a large data center campus could be among the main beneficiaries of that power. Alex Baumhardt reports. (Washington State Standard) 

U.S. man loses appeal of $2.35M fine for starting wildfire in B.C.
A U.S. man has lost an appeal of a $2.35-million fine he was given after it was determined that, on a balance of probabilities, he started a wildfire in a sensitive ecological area in 2018. Akshay Kulkarni reports. (CBC) 

'Pumpty Dumpty' vessel to deploy in Brentwood Bay in effort to clean up water
Volunteer-run vessel will offer sewage pump services for boats in Greater Victoria bay. Liz McArthur reports. (CBC) 

Democracy Watch

• Trump administration will make green card hopefuls return to home countries before applying (Washington State Standard) 
• WA asks federal judge to toss DOJ lawsuit seeking private voter info (Seattle Times) 

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-  219 PM PDT Mon May 25 2026    
TUE  NW wind 5 to 10 kt. Seas 6 to 9 ft. Wave Detail: W 9 ft at  14 seconds.  
TUE NIGHT  W wind 5 to 10 kt, easing to around 5 kt after  midnight. Seas 5 to 7 ft. Wave Detail: W 7 ft at 12 seconds.

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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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5/22 Short-tailed albatross, ALA Cherry Point appeal, Chinook DNA, Vancouver emissions, sexual violence in tree-planting, burning sludge, deep-sea mining, BC mineral claims, US refrigerant rule, ghost shrimps, harbor porpoise, democracy watch, week in review.

Short-tailed albatross

   
Short-tailed albatross Phoebastria albatrus
The short-tailed albatross or Steller's albatross is a large rare seabird from the North Pacific. Although related to the other North Pacific albatrosses, it also exhibits behavioural and morphological links to the albatrosses of the Southern Ocean. It is listed as endangered. (Wikipedia) 

Today's top story in Salish Current:  A mural for eelgrass

ALA Energy appeals decision to halt Ferndale Terminal expansion 
ALA Energy has filed a petition against Whatcom County in Skagit County Superior Court in response to a ruling by the Whatcom County Hearing Examiner halting the Ferndale Terminal’s expansion until it meets additional criteria. ALA Energy filed a land-use petition seeking to overturn the hearing examiner’s decision. The lawsuit alleges that the examiner did not follow proper procedure and made a conclusion based on false information. Hannah Edelman reports. (Bellingham Herald) 

DNA ‘fingerprints’ show salmon reach Olympic Peninsula’s uppermost streams
Whether chinook have always used remote headwaters or are moving higher due to climate change isn’t clear. Nick Engelfried reports. (Columbia Insight) 

Vancouver passes mayor's motion to pause emissions tracking, ban on natural gas heating in new homes
Vancouver city council voted on Thursday to pass Mayor Ken Sim's motion that pauses climate-friendly bylaws that tracked the city's emissions, with the motion also seeking to again allow new homes to use natural gas for space and water heating. But the motion received significant opposition from dozens of people arguing that buildings account for a majority of Vancouver's emissions and the city should not roll back green initiatives. Akshay Kulkarni reports. (CBC) 

Out of the shadows: confronting sexual violence in tree-planting
Drop a group of young people into a remote forest and some will find fun and freedom. Others will face sexism, assault and a culture that prizes having a tough exterior, no matter what. Matt Simmons reports (The Narwhal) 

Response to plan for sewage-treatment end product encouraging: CRD
The chair of the Capital Regional District board says he’s encouraged by the positive reception to a recent engagement process designed to inform the public about the use of a thermal treatment plant to deal with biosolids left from sewage treatment. Andrew A. Duffy reports. (Times Colonist) 

Companies join a deep-sea mining rush after Trump executive order, as regulators fast-track permits
Since President Donald Trump signed an executive order to create a deep-sea mining industry, businesses have raised millions from investors, and stock prices have soared. Helen Wieffering reports. (Associated Press) 

Supreme Court of Canada to hear appeal in British Columbia mineral claims case
B.C. Attorney General Niki Sharma says the government might still bring forward legislation to amend key parts of the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act. (Canadian Press) 

Trump eases refrigerant rule in a bid to address surging grocery costs
The Trump administration is loosening a federal rule that requires grocery stores and air-conditioning companies to reduce greenhouse gases used in cooling equipment. Matthew Daly reports. (Associated Press) 

UW professor strives to combat ghost shrimp using vibration, compaction
University of Washington scientist Jennifer Ruesink recently released her research findings for a new method of reducing ghost shrimp numbers in the Willapa Bay that combines vibration and pressure. Shari Phiel reports. (The Columbian) 

Tell us some good news about the resurgence of marine mammals in the Salish Sea?
The resurgence of harbor porpoises is an example of the power of humans working together to protect a species. According to WWU’s Cindy Elliser, a marine mammologist and associate director of the Salish Sea Institute, harbor porpoises are the second-smallest cetacean (the group of whales, dolphins and porpoises) in the world, and today they are the most common cetacean in the Salish Sea. Mary Gallagher writes. (WWU News) 

Democracy Watch

• House rejects Smithsonian women’s museum bill after GOP bans ‘biological men’ from exhibits (AP) 

Salish Sea News Week In Review, 5/22/26: Aloha Sherlock Holmes, fuel and farms, gray whale mortality, Nooksack flooding, DNR camping, PFSA limits, atrazine OK'd, BC whale protection, cruise ship LNG.

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-  251 AM PDT Fri May 22 2026    
TODAY  W wind 5 to 10 kt, rising to 10 to 15 kt late. Seas 3 to  5 ft. Wave Detail: W 5 ft at 10 seconds.  
TONIGHT  W wind 5 to 10 kt. Seas 4 to 6 ft. Wave Detail: W 6 ft  at 9 seconds.  
SAT  W wind around 5 kt, rising to 15 to 20 kt in the  afternoon. Seas 4 to 6 ft. Wave Detail: W 6 ft at 9 seconds.  
SAT NIGHT  W wind 15 to 20 kt, easing to 10 to 15 kt after  midnight. Seas 5 to 8 ft. Wave Detail: W 8 ft at 9 seconds and W  3 ft at 15 seconds.  
SUN  W wind 5 to 10 kt. Seas 3 to 5 ft. Wave Detail: W 5 ft at  8 seconds and W 5 ft at 14 seconds.

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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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Salish Sea News: Communicate, Educate, Advocate



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