7/9 Blue rockfish, BC Indigenous conservation areas, air pollution regulator, BC exotic pets, WA groundwater, democracy watch.

Blue rockfish

 

Blue rockfish Sebastes mystinus
Blue rockfish are distributed from northern Baja California to Vancouver Island, British Columbia, though the northern limit of the species is uncertain. In 2015, blue rockfish were split in to two separate species - blue and deacon rockfishes. Blue rockfish can grow up to 53 cm (21 in) in length and reach more than 5 lbs, living for up to at least 44 years. (WDFW)

Today's top story in Salish Current:  The future of Bellingham’s wastewater

BC Announces Plans for Three New Indigenous-Led Conservation Areas
Small patches of wilderness are ‘lifeboats for wildlife,’ says one advocate. ‘But you also need the arks.’ Sarah Cox reports. (The Tyee) 

Trump’s top air pollution regulator to resign
Aaron Szabo, a former registered lobbyist for the oil and chemical industries, said he would resign as the head of the EPA’s Office of Air and Radiation on July 17. He did not provide a reason for his departure after nearly a year in the Senate-confirmed position. Maxine Joselow and Lisa Friedman report. (NY Times) 

Meet Gary, an exotic cat that B.C. just outlawed as a pet
As of May 2026, you can no longer buy or sell exotic cats in British Columbia. What do we do with them all now? Michelle Cyca reports. (The Narwhal) 

Groundwater is definitely declining. What now?
“We need to protect water supplies,” says Wash. Gov. Ferguson. But conservation alone won’t solve the problem. Kendra Chamberlain reports. (Columbia Insight) 

Democracy Watch

• California colleges reveal their military weapons stockade after CalMatters investigation (AP) 
• Meta plans billions for first AI data center in Canada, largest outside the US (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— 

est Entrance U.S. Waters Strait Of Juan De Fuca-  143 PM PDT Wed Jul 8 2026    
THU  W wind 10 to 15 kt. Seas 3 to 5 ft. Wave Detail: W 4 ft at  9 seconds.  
THU NIGHT  W wind 10 to 15 kt, easing to around 5 kt after  midnight. Seas 3 to 4 ft. Wave Detail: W 3 ft at 8 seconds. A  chance of rain after midnight.

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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.com. Your email information is never shared and you can unsubscribe at any time.



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7/8 Black rockfish, World Cup physics, Arctic waters, giant trees, bumblebees, PermitAI, democracy watch.

Black rockfish [Chad King]

 

Black Rockfish Sebastes melanops
Black Rockfish range from Amchitka Island (in the Aleutian Islands) and Kodiak Island, Alaska, to northern Baja, California. They have been found at water depths up to 366 m (1,200 ft), but are most commonly found in waters shallower than 73 m (240 ft). Black Rockfish can grow up to 69 cm (27.6 in) in length, and 6 kg (13.3 lbs) in weight. Maximum age is at least 56 years old. (WDFW)

Today's top story in Salish Current:  Washington to ‘stay the course’ on climate goals despite federal deregulation

Science Wednesday—

Expert breaks down the physics behind the World Cup
Every goal is a lesson in physics. Michigan State University physicist Stuart Tessmer explains how forces, momentum, and even air pressure shape the world’s most popular sport. (Futurity) 

As Ice Melts in the Arctic, Some Deep-Sea Creatures Are Thriving
A new study suggests that deep-sea life reaps the benefits of icebergs’ castoffs — a rare silver lining as a warming planet destabilizes glacial ice. (NY Times) 

Giant trees have tricks to work around drought
Tweaks to leaves and vessels allow trees to still get water to their crowns in dry times. (Science News) 

Bumblebees collect up to 7 times more toxic metals than honeybees
Bumblebees are picking up dramatically more toxic heavy metals than honeybees, even when both species forage in the same places. Researchers warn that this hidden pollution could quietly reduce their ability to find food, reproduce, and keep colonies healthy. https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/07/260707025044.htm

PermitAI Public-Private Partnership Speeds Environmental Review Drafting Tasks
An innovative public-private partnership has yielded powerful new tools to help federal agencies rapidly synthesize complex data, historical documents and more into draft environmental impact statements. (PNNL) 

Democracy Watch

• DOJ threatens WA election officials with prosecution if noncitizens vote (Washington State Standard) 
• The Vances added a chicken coop to the vice president’s residence. We had questions. (Washington Post) 

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-  155 PM PDT Tue Jul 7 2026    
WED  W wind 10 to 15 kt. Seas 3 to 5 ft. Wave Detail: W 4 ft at  9 seconds.  
WED NIGHT  W wind 10 to 15 kt. Seas 3 to 5 ft. Wave Detail: W  4 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.com. Your email information is never shared and you can unsubscribe at any time.



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7/7 Copper rockfish, marine heat wave, eastern pipe, rusting rivers, sunflower star, old-growth grasslands, leaded water, fin whale, democracy watch.

Copper rockfish [Andrew Harmer]

Copper rockfish Sebastes caurinus
Copper Rockfish range from the northern Gulf of Alaska to central Baja California. They can be found from the subtidal zone down to 183 m (600 ft). Copper Rockfish can grow up to 66 cm (26 in) in length and 4.5 kg (10 lb) in weight, living up to at least 50 years. (WDFW)

Today's top story in Salish Current:  State AG Nick Brown visits Bellingham, compares Trump administration to North Korea

The Pacific Ocean is running a fever. Why that’s an ominous sign
Across the Pacific Ocean, there’s a massive marine heat wave covering an area more than eight times the size of the contiguous United States — and it could have profound ripple effects for weather events around the globe in the coming weeks and months. Ben Noll reports. (Washington Post) 

Alberta and Ontario propose a pipeline to carry western Canada’s oil to the east
Alberta and Ontario proposed a pipeline Monday to carry western Canadian oil east and eventually to Atlantic export terminals as Canada seeks new markets beyond the United States, reviving a project that was abandoned nearly a decade ago. Rob Gillies reports. (Associated Press) 

Rusting Rivers: Alarm Grows Over Rising Acid in Arctic Waters
Climate change is thawing permafrost and increasing rainfall, producing sulfuric acid in rivers and lakes. Ed Struzik reports. (The Tyee) 

How a Northwest tribe and an endangered sea creature are helping each other
One of the most endangered sea creatures of the Pacific Ocean is getting a leg up in the kelp forests of Washington’s San Juan Islands: a 24-armed sea star called the sunflower star. University researchers and the Samish Indian Nation are working to bring this pizza-sized predator back from the brink of extinction after a vast underwater pandemic nearly wiped it off the face of the earth. John Ryan reports. (KUOW) 

WWU researchers document 93% historical loss of persistent, old-growth grasslands in the San Juan Islands
Native grasslands have shaped the ecological and cultural landscapes of the San Juan Islands for millennia, but the extent of grassland ecosystems has shrunk dramatically since the 19th century. Jennifer Nerad reports  (WWU Stories) 

How Washington is working to get rid of lead contamination in public school drinking water 
Time's up for many schools in Washington to test drinking water for lead. If lead contamination is found in an outlet, such as drinking fountains or sinks, the water source has to be fixed, replaced or shut off, which is already happening around the state. As of the state deadline, 91% of schools required to complete testing had done so: 1,645 out of 1,806. Courtney Platt reports. (NW Public Broadcasting) 

Will Tacoma become WA’s next ‘Bee City?’ Mayor wants to save local pollinators
In response to extinction risks, the city of Tacoma is considering becoming a Bee City USA affiliate, an initiative spearheaded by a nonprofit called the Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation. The initiative encourages communities to work together to conserve natural pollinators by providing a framework to create and restore healthy habitats. Elizah Lourdes Rendorio reports. (Tacoma News Tribune) 

Second-largest whale species spotted off Vancouver Island
A fin whale estimated to be about 21 metres long was photographed swimming off Sheringham Point, west of Sooke. Darron Kloster reports. (Times Colonist) 

Democracy Watch

• Seattle Immigration Court launches new Trump tactic: ‘Mega’ hearings  (Seattle Times) 
• A new ICE facility could speed up deportations for families and kids (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-  146 PM PDT Mon Jul 6 2026    

TUE  W 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.  
TUE NIGHT  W wind 10 to 15 kt. Seas 3 to 4 ft. Wave Detail: W  4 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.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


 

7/6 Brown rockfish, BC pipeline, pipeline risks, Roberts Bank terminal, Skagit restoration, democracy watch.

 

Brown rockfish [Steve Lonhart]

Brown Rockfish Sebastes auriculatus
Brown Rockfish range from the Gulf of Alaska to central Baja California. They inhabit depths from the intertidal zone down to 287 m (941 ft). Browns can grow up to 56 cm (22 in) in length and 2.7 kg (5.9 lb) in weight, living for up to at least 34 years. (WDFW)

Today's top story in Salish Current:  United States 250: Celebration, mourning and a call to action

Alberta submits plans and announces partners for new pipeline to B.C. coast
Alberta has formally submitted a proposed route to the major projects office, after a federal deal with B.C. effectively opened the way for a bitumen pipeline to B.C.’s southern region. Chuck Chiang and Jack Farrell report. (Canadian Press) 

Proposed oil pipeline to B.C. coast spurs alarm in Washington state
Increased tanker traffic could threaten orcas and raise spill risks in the Salish Sea, according to tribes and environmental advocates. Tom Banse reports. (Washington State Standard) 

Why expansion of Delta, B.C., container port is going hand-in-hand with Alberta pipeline
Federal funds for Roberts Bank Terminal 2 come despite environmental concerns. Akshay Kulkarni reports. (CBC) 

State begins restoration of Skagit River estuary
The state Department of Fish and Wildlife kicked off this week restoration of 270 acres of Skagit River estuary that will take about two years to complete. The restoration is on the department’s Island Unit, just south of Conway. Emma Fletcher-Frazer reports. (Skagit Valley Herald) 

Democracy Watch
Supreme Court declines to halt $800-a-day fine for ex-Fox News reporter refusing to divulge sources (AP) 
Revamp of WA public records rules nears completion (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-  134 PM PDT Sun Jul 5 2026    
MON  W wind around 5 kt, rising to 10 to 15 kt in the  afternoon. Seas 3 to 4 ft. Wave Detail: W 4 ft at 9 seconds.  
MON NIGHT  W wind 10 to 15 kt. Seas 3 to 5 ft. Wave Detail: W  5 ft at 8 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.com. Your email information is never shared and you can unsubscribe at any time.



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7/2 Morning glory, fish bubblers, Amazon's carbon, deep-sea mining, transmission lines, democracy watch, week in review.

 

Salish Sea News and Weather will return on Monday. Enjoy a safe 4th!

Morning glory [James Steakley]

Morning glory Ipomoea tricolor
Morning glory is the common name for over 1,000 species of flowering plants in the family Convolvulaceae. Ipomoea tricolor is the archetypical species for the group and is renowned for its many beautiful varieties, such as 'Heavenly Blue', 'Flying Saucers', and 'Pearly Gates'. Morning glory species were historically used in China for their laxative seeds, by ancient Mesoamericans to vulcanize rubber with their sulfur-rich juice, and by Aztec priests for hallucinogenic purposes. (Wikipedia)

Today's top story in Salish Current:  United States at 250

What are fish bubblers and why are they coming to the Snake River?
The Army Corps of Engineers is deploying new technology to assist the movement of migrating fish. Kendra Chamberlain reports. (Columbia Insight) 

Amazon's carbon emissions jumped 16% in 2025. The driver: massive data center buildout
Amazon has pledged to have net zero emissions by 2040, but the data center requirements of artificial intelligence have raised questions about the potential for Amazon and other big tech companies to reduce their carbon footprint. Monica Nickelsburg and Stephen Howie report. (KUOW) 

The Vancouver Company Working with Trump to Mine the Deep Sea
As the US snubs international law, experts say Canada has a duty to step in. Sarah Cox reports. (The Tyee) 

Western governors establish multi-state task force to update the region’s transmission lines
Governors of Itah, Colorado, Wyoming, Nevada, Idaho, Oregon, Montana, North Dakota, Arizona, New Mexico and Washington  signed a letter endorsing the establishment of a multi-state task force to develop a study and action plan to update the region’s energy grid.  Alixel Cabrera reports. (Washington State Standard) 

Democracy Watch

• Crypto, real estate, watches: How Trump made over $1 billion last year (AP) 
• Immigrant arrests surge to 10,000 in 5 days as ICE clamps down (NY Times) 

Salish Sea News Week in Review, July 2 2026:: Alice in Wonderland, OR lawsuit, Skagit restoration, Canada electricity, heat dome, BC orcas, Indigenous-led whale watching, salmon guts, deep-sea mining. 

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-  132 PM PDT Wed Jul 1 2026    
THU  W wind around 5 kt, veering to NE in the afternoon. Seas  around 3 ft. Wave Detail: W 3 ft at 8 seconds. Rain.  
THU NIGHT  SE wind around 5 kt. Seas around 3 ft. Wave Detail:  W 3 ft at 8 seconds. Rain likely, mainly in the evening.  
FRI  W wind around 5 kt, rising to 5 to 10 kt in the afternoon.  Seas around 3 ft. Wave Detail: W 3 ft at 8 seconds.  
FRI NIGHT  W wind 5 to 10 kt. Seas 3 to 4 ft. Wave Detail: W  3 ft at 7 seconds.  
SAT  W wind 10 to 15 kt. Seas 3 to 4 ft. Wave Detail: W 3 ft at  9 seconds.  
SAT NIGHT  W wind 10 to 15 kt, easing to 5 to 10 kt after  midnight. Seas 3 to 5 ft. Wave Detail: W 5 ft at 8 seconds.  
SUN  W wind around 5 kt, veering to NW in the afternoon. Seas  3 to 4 ft. Wave Detail: W 4 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.com. Your email information is never shared and you can unsubscribe at any time.



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7/1/26 Chickweed, salmon guts, Alberta pipe, tapeworms, microplastics, democracy wqtch

 

Chickweed [Wikipedia]

Chickweed Stellaria media
Chickweed is an annual flowering plant in the family Caryophyllaceae. It is native to Eurasia and naturalized throughout the world, where it is a weed of waste ground, farmland and gardens. It is sometimes grown as a salad crop or for poultry consumption. (Wikipedia) 

Today's top story in Salish Current:  Commentaries: Pride without the price tag / The Salish Sea at a crossroads

Using Salmon Guts to Map Forage Fish Populations
A new study examined thousands of chinook stomachs to track a vital and often overlooked part of the Salish Sea’s food chain. Michelle Gamage reports. (The Tyee) 

Alberta to unveil details of 'million-barrel-per-day' oil pipeline route to West Coast on July 2
Province was given July 1 deadline to submit proposal to the Major Projects Office. Andrew Kurjata reports. (CBC) 

Fox tapeworm found in Pullman fox, Puget Sound coyotes
While common in parts of Europe, Asia and northern North America, the parasite was not believed to be present in the Pacific Northwest until recently. Emmalee Appel reports. (KREM) 

After bold pledge, EPA shelves microplastics testing in U.S. drinking water 
On Friday, the EPA submitted a list of chemicals it plans to test for under the Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule, a mandatory testing program used to collect information about concerning chemicals in drinking water that could be harming human health. It did not include microplastics or pharmaceuticals. Susanne Rust reports. (LA Times) 

Democracy Watch

• Supreme Court upholds birthright citizenship, rejecting Trump’s proposed limits (AP) 
• Supreme Court upholds state laws banning transgender girls and women from school athletic teams (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-  141 PM PDT Tue Jun 30 2026    
WED  W wind 5 to 10 kt. Seas 4 to 6 ft. Wave Detail: W 6 ft at  9 seconds.  
WED NIGHT  W wind 5 to 10 kt. Seas 3 to 4 ft. Wave Detail: W  4 ft at 7 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.com. Your email information is never shared and you can unsubscribe at any time.



savesalishsea@bluesky.social

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6/30 Vetch, WA heat dome, BC heat dome, BC orcas, democracy watch.

 

Vetch [Katy Chayka]

Vetch Vicia americana
American vetch is a native, perennial, climbing vine that grows approximately 1 to 2 feet tall. It fixes nitrogen and can be grown as a cover preceding late spring-planted crops. Native Americans used the pods, seeds, and leaves of American vetch as food. This plant may become weedy or invasive in some regions or habitats and may displace desirable vegetation if not properly managed. (USDA) 

Today's top story in Salish Current:  Lopez Swim Center finally opens

Five years after the dome: Washington remains vulnerable to extreme heat
Five years after a record-shattering heat wave hit the Pacific Northwest, killing an estimated 1,200 people in British Columbia, Oregon, and Washington, the region is somewhat more prepared to handle extreme heat...Lasting about a week, the late June 2021 heat dome was Washington’s deadliest weather disaster. It delivered the highest temperatures ever recorded in Oregon (119°F), Washington (120°F), and Canada (121°F). John Ryan reports. (KUOW) 

How B.C.’s heat dome overwhelmed paramedics and changed emergency response forever
A record-breaking heat dome sent nearly 12,000 emergency calls into B.C.’s ambulance system in a single day, in 2021. Five years later, are we any more prepared? Cameron Fenton reports. (The Narwhal) 

Plenty of food and conservation have turned B.C. waters into whale-sighting hot spot
A recent surge of sightings of orcas, humpback whales and other cetaceans along B.C.’s southern coast is in line with scientific studies that show populations have increased. Wolfgang Depner reports. (Canadian Press) 

Democracy Watch

• Supreme Court rules states can count late-arriving mailed ballots, rejecting Trump-led challenge (AP) 
• Trump Cut a Billion-Dollar Mining Deal. His Sons Stand to Profit (NY 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-  147 PM PDT Mon Jun 29 2026    
TUE  E wind around 5 kt, backing to NW in the afternoon. Seas  5 to 7 ft. Wave Detail: W 7 ft at 10 seconds. TUE NIGHT  SW wind 5 to 10 kt. Seas 4 to 6 ft. Wave Detail: W  6 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.com. 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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