1/24 Geoducks, coal export, Cedar Grove, real fish, Jean Takekawa, blackmouth, Idle No More, pumpouts, cruise ships, Anacortes

Whidbey geoducks (KOMO)

If you like to watch: The commercial geoduck harvest is returning to Whidbey Island after being closed for several years. The big, funny-looking shellfish are a multi-million-dollar business for Washington -- nearly the only place you can find geoducks. Geoduck harvest returns to Whidbey Island after long hiatus

Tonight: Ocean Acidification Free Seminar, 6 PM, Everett Station Weyerhauser Room, 3201 Smith Ave, Everett. Dave Somers, Terrie Klinger, Shalin Busch, Brad Warren talk. Qs&As follow.

New blog: “Two days after last Christmas, I woke up to the world spinning to my right and wanted to throw up. I spent the morning lying very still in bed and in the afternoon, after throwing up and being examined in the doctor’s office, I was informed that I was suffering from labyrithitis....”  An Argument Against Intelligent Design

Read Part 3 of Floyd McKay’s Crosscut article on the Gateway Pacific coal terminal proposal: Coal Train, Part 3: Who gets to greenlight Bellingham's giant coal port?

Two lawsuits were filed on Wednesday on behalf of about 350 people seeking up to $75,000 each in damages from Cedar Grove Composting. The company operates plants in Everett and Maple Valley. People who live in areas near both plants have complained for several years of a rotting-garbage stench they believe comes from the operations, especially during warmer months. Bill Sheets reports. 2 lawsuits filed against Cedar Grove over odor  

When you order that special filet at a restaurant or store, you're often going on trust that the fish actually is what the menu or label says it is. In Washington, two state agencies are asking for tougher penalties to deter seafood fraud. Investigators for Consumer Reports recently found more than one-fifth of the fish they submitted for DNA identification was mislabeled at the point of sale. Washington Fish and Wildlife police deputy chief Mike Cenci says the penalties for false labeling need to be stronger. Tom Banse reports. Authorities seek tougher penalties for false labeling of fish  

John Dodge at The Olympian wrties: "Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge manager Jean Takekawa tried to ease into retirement this month without fanfare or public acknowledgment of a successful, 35-year career with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. I would have none of it. Takekawa, 58, packed her warm-weather clothes last week and headed to the San Diego area to join her partner, former U.S. Parks Service ranger Ed Forner, whom she met in college 40 years ago when they had summer jobs at the Grand Teton National Park. I tracked her down via cellphone, and she agreed to an exit interview from her first of many travel destinations — Silver Strand State Beach on Coronado Island near San Diego. Soundings: Retired manager shaped Nisqually Wildlife Refuge

Every summer, hundreds of thousands of juvenile Chinook salmon visit San Juan County on their way to the ocean, feasting on the islands’ herring, sandlance, larval crabs and insects. Why do some of these fish remain in the islands and become “Blackmouth,” a critical resource for recreational anglers? Kwiaht seeks anglers' help in solving 'Blackmouth' mystery

A nationwide CBC News/Nanos online survey suggests British Columbians are divided in the their view of the Idle No More movement and nearly two thirds do not believe that the hunger strike by Attiwapiskat Chief Theresa Spence will advance the cause of indigenous people in Canada. Idle No More has been attempting to bring more attention to Bill C-45, the Conservative government's controversial omnibus budget bill that directly affects First Nations communities. B.C. split on Idle No More, poll suggests  

Liberty Bay Marina in Poulsbo and Eagle Harbor Marina on Bainbridge Island will replace their aging sewage pumpout facilities with the help of federal and state grants. Federal funds from the Clean Vessel Act program will pay 75 percent of the cost, according to Alan Wolslegel of the Washington State Parks Boating Program. State funding from the Aquatic Lands Enhancement Account was available to pay the remaining 25 percent for the two Kitsap marinas, he added. Chris Dunagan reports. New pumpout stations coming for marinas in Poulsbo, Bainbridge

Alaska Gov. Sean Parnell is proposing changes to the way the state regulates wastewater from cruise ships — drawing criticism that his proposal would roll back provisions of a 2006 citizen initiative that required cruise ships to meet state water quality standards when dumping wastewater. The proposal, SB29 in the state Senate, got its first hearing Wednesday in front of the chamber's Resources Committee. Larry Hartig, commissioner of the state Department of Environmental Conservation, said the proposal would align the rules for cruise ships with those for others who get discharge permits from the agency. Becky Bohrer reports. Alaska governor proposes changes to the way wastewater from cruise ships is regulated

If you like to watch: The Anacortes Chamber of Commerce has partnered with others in the community to create a TV commercial.  Anacortes - Coast In. Hang Out.  

Now, your tug weather--
WEST ENTRANCE U.S. WATERS STRAIT OF JUAN DE FUCA- 856 AM PST THU JAN 24 2013
SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY IN EFFECT THROUGH LATE TONIGHT
TODAY
S WIND 10 TO 15 KT...BECOMING E 15 TO 25 KT. WIND WAVES 1 TO 2 FT...BUILDING TO 2 TO 4 FT. W SWELL 10 FT AT 15 SECONDS...
 SUBSIDING TO 8 FT AT 14 SECONDS. A CHANCE OF RAIN.
TONIGHT
SE WIND 15 TO 25 KT. WIND WAVES 2 TO 4 FT. W SWELL 7 FT AT 13 SECONDS. RAIN.

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