8/30 Sixgill shark, Fidalgo Bay, Belfair sewer, 'perfect' wave, hot rivers, derelict boats

Bluntnose sixgill shark (SeaDoc Society/San Juan Journal)

Shark washes ashore on Jones Island
Out on the water responding to a call about a harbor seal pup for the Marine Mammal Stranding Network, SeaDoc received an alert that a much different kind of critter had washed up at Jones Island State Park. It turned out to be a bluntnose sixgill (Hexanchus griseus), a fascinating species of shark that can grow to over 15-feet long and weigh 1,500 pounds, making it one of the world's largest carnivorous sharks and the Salish Sea's equivalent of a great white (though thankfully not as bitey, with no known unprovoked attacks on humans). This nine-foot female was dead, but still of great interest to local fish expert Dr. Adam Summers, so SeaDoc staff hauled her aboard their boat, the Molly B., and delivered her to Friday Harbor Labs for a necropsy. (SeaDoc Society)

Group is keeping an eye on Fidalgo Bay
The shimmering waters of Fidalgo Bay have a history of being subject to pollution. But a story of restoration is emerging, and it’s no simple task to ensure that trend continues. The Fidalgo Bay Aquatic Reserve Citizen Stewardship Committee, a group of locals that calls itself “the eyes on the bay,” is doing just that for the bay that is bordered by the city of Anacortes, a section of Highway 20 and March Point. Kimberly Cauvel reports. (Skagit Valley Herald)

Struggles continue for Belfair sewer
The 4-year-old Belfair Wastewater and Water Reclamation Facility needs several emergency repairs, does not comply with state discharge standards and operates on a daily basis with less than half the amount of flow needed for the plant to operate efficiently. Mason County Public Works Director Jerry Hauth shared the grim state of the Belfair sewer plant with county board of commissioners, but it has not decided how to move forward with permanent solutions. Arla Shephard Bull reports. (Kitsap Sun)

Surfers And Scientists Team Up To Create The 'Perfect Wave'
Forget Hawaii or Fiji. The spot that's really got surfers talking these days is a secluded pond more than 100 miles from the ocean, in California's Central Valley. "It's just an amazing, amazing wave," says Robert "Wingnut" Weaver, a longboarder from Santa Cruz, Calif., and one of just a handful of surfers who have ridden the wave. "It's mind-blowing." But it's not natural. A machine generates these breakers in an experimental wave pool south of Fresno, in Lemoore, Calif. And, unlike natural waves, this one has an owner: the Kelly Slater Wave Co., which plans to market its wave-making technology around the world. Jon Hamilton reports. (NPR)

High water temperatures cause B.C. government to close some rivers to fishing
High temperatures have caused the B.C. government to shut down fishing on the Nicola and Coldwater Rivers, as well as Spius Creek. The government says the temporary closure is intended to help protect steelhead and other trout. (Canadian Press)

Victoria on track for fall removal of derelict boats from Gorge
Not a single boat owner has moved out of the Gorge Waterway, more than a month after City of Victoria staff passed out notices asking them to leave. Staff began contacting boat owners in mid-June, asking them to move their vessels by July 18. About 25 vessels and four floating wharves remain in the waterway…. The city will continue communicating with boat owners, but is moving forward with plans to remove the vessels through a court injunction this fall. Amy Smart reports. (Times Colonist)

Now, your tug weather--
WEST ENTRANCE U.S. WATERS STRAIT OF JUAN DE FUCA-  833 AM PDT TUE AUG 30 2016  

TODAY  E WIND TO 10 KT. WIND WAVES 1 FT OR LESS. W SWELL 4 FT AT  8 SECONDS. A SLIGHT CHANCE OF RAIN IN THE MORNING...THEN A CHANCE  OF RAIN IN THE AFTERNOON.
TONIGHT  N WIND TO 10 KT...BECOMING NE AFTER MIDNIGHT. WIND WAVES  1 FT OR LESS. SW SWELL 4 FT AT 6 SECONDS. RAIN LIKELY IN THE  EVENING...THEN RAIN 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 at salishseacom.com. Your email information is never shared and you can unsubscribe at any time.

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