3/10 Vic sewer, clingfish, vessel safety, Navy training, EPA speaks, stingrays, Padilla Bay, oysters

(PHOTO: Mike Hamilton/BirdNote)

Red-winged Blackbird Harem 
As spring begins, the male Red-winged Blackbird brandishes his red epaulets to warn other males away from his patch of cattails. At the same time, he sings to lure females into his marsh...many females, in fact. One male may attract up to a dozen females. The male is dressed for defending his territory and attracting a harem; she, for blending into the cattails. (BirdNote)

‘Imperfect’ step forward taken in sewage-treatment plans
An “imperfect” step forward has been taken in efforts to decide on a sewage-treatment plan for the region, says Victoria Mayor Lisa Helps. The Capital Regional District sewage committee, chaired by Helps, decided after a four-hour meeting to approve a plan calling for two plants, one at Clover Point and another at either McLoughlin Point or the Macaulay Point area. (Times Colonist)

If you like to watch: A Very Sticky Fish…
University of Washington team wins first place in science communications video contest with their piece on clingfish. (UW Today)

3 fishing vessels ordered back to port for safety violations
U.S. Coast Guard officials say they ordered three commercial fishing vessels in Puget Sound back to port after multiple safety violations were found. Officials say the safety violations included having no personal flotation devices, insufficient fire extinguishers, insufficient visual distress signals and no sound-producing devices, among others. (Associated Press)

Port director: Can't deny Navy access to Mats Mats boat ramp
The Navy's request for access to the Mats Mats boat ramp for training is only a courtesy, according to the Port of Port Townsend director. “This is a public ramp,” Larry Crockett said Wednesday. “I don't see how we can deny access.” In a letter to Crockett, Navy real estate contracting officer Michael D. Brady asked that the port allow use of the Mats Mats boat ramp between Port Hadlock and Port Ludlow for the Naval Special Warfare Group to perform cold-water training while in the Puget Sound area. Charlie Bermant reports. (Peninsula Daily News)

EPA Administrator Speaks In Seattle About Public Health And Water Crisis
The head of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Gina McCarthy, is in Seattle this week. She’s giving the keynote address at this year's Climate Leadership Conference on Wednesday evening. But earlier in the day, she also spoke to students and faculty at the University of Washington’s schools of public health and public policy. Her talk highlighted the Obama administration's work on climate change as well as her desire to get more young people and people of color involved in public service, especially at her agency. She also responded to questions, including one about her concerns in the wake of the crisis in Flint, Michigan; where lead has been poisoning municipal water supplies. She said at its heart, more than anything, the crisis is about money. Bellamy Pailthorp reports. (KPLU)

Vancouver Aquarium opens new stingray touching pool
Stingrays are often portrayed as deadly creatures with venomous tails for a weapon. But the Vancouver Aquarium is trying to change that nasty reputation by allowing visitors to get up close and personal.  The aquarium has a new interactive pool where you can touch stingrays as they glide beneath the water's surface. The 50,000-litre touch pool is home to 25 graceful cownose rays and southern stingrays and will open Thursday.  Lest you worry, the aquarium says all the stingrays have had their barbs clipped professionally, just like you get your nails clipped." Tamara Baluja reports. (CBC News)

Management plan in the works for Padilla Bay
The state is accepting public comment through March 28 on a management plan for the Padilla Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve, the state Department of Ecology announced this week. The plan is a five-year update for the reserve that will outline education, stewardship and research goals. (Skagit Valley Herald)

Practical new book will win over oyster-squeamish
Erin Pride-Swaney writes: "My introduction to oysters was at Anthony's Home Port in Everett. My 8-year-old self opted for the oyster shooter starter to my Sunset Dinner, Anthony's popular four-course meal. Our server rechecked my request as I bravely nodded. I felt ready to eat like a grown-up. I wasn't...."  (Everett Herald)

Now, your tug weather--

 WEST ENTRANCE U.S. WATERS STRAIT OF JUAN DE FUCA-  430 AM PST THU MAR 10 2016  

STORM WARNING IN EFFECT UNTIL 9 AM PST THIS MORNING
GALE WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 9 AM PST THIS MORNING THROUGH THIS  AFTERNOON  

TODAY  S WIND 40 TO 50 KT...BECOMING SW 35 TO 45 KT THIS  MORNING. COMBINED SEAS 20 TO 23 FT WITH A DOMINANT PERIOD OF 13  SECONDS. SHOWERS.

TONIGHT  SW WIND 15 TO 25 KT...BECOMING SE AFTER MIDNIGHT. WIND  WAVES 2 TO 4 FT. SW SWELL 16 FT AT 13 SECONDS...BECOMING W 12 FT AT  12 SECONDS AFTER MIDNIGHT. SHOWERS LIKELY IN THE EVENING...THEN A  CHANCE OF SHOWERS AFTER MIDNIGHT.
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"Salish Sea News & Weather" is compiled as a community service by Mike Sato. To subscribe, send your name and email to msato@salishseacom.com. Your email information is never shared and you can unsubscribe at any time.

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