10/25 Fish farms, Longview coal, Whatcom elections, Free Lolita

Atlantic salmon spread [WDFW/KUOW]

Atlantic salmon swim far and wide after fish farm collapse
Atlantic salmon have spread far and wide in Pacific Northwest waters since 160,000 of them escaped from a collapsed fish farm near Anacortes in August. The fishy fugitives have swum 130 miles south past Tacoma, 250 miles northwest past Tofino (most of the way up Vancouver Island) and up a half-dozen rivers around the region, according to the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife. The escapees’ wide spread, despite efforts by tribes and others to reel them in, has raised fears they could harm the Northwest’s wild Pacific salmon. John Ryan reports. (KUOW)

Relocating fish farms a possible fix for standoff, B.C. minister says
British Columbia's Agriculture Minister says changes are needed to protect wild salmon stocks on the West Coast —  changes that may involve the relocation of fish farms from the Broughton Archipelago, where an occupation by Indigenous protesters nears its third month. Lana Popham, who is also the NDP MLA for Saanich South, was under fire from the Opposition Liberals in the B.C. legislature this week over a letter to Marine Harvest Canada. (CBC)

Backer of Longview coal-export terminal sues Washington state over permit denial
A company proposing to build a terminal in Washington state to export U.S. coal to Asia sued the state Tuesday, arguing regulators unfairly denied the project a key permit. Millennium Bulk Terminals-Longview’s lawsuit claims the state Department of Ecology violated federal and state laws when it denied the project a water quality certification last month. The lawsuit filed in Cowlitz County Superior Court alleges the denial was based on “biased and prejudiced decision-making.” Phuong Le reports. (Associated Press)

New Districts In Whatcom County Could Mean Gradual Swing Toward The Right
Issues of growth, the environment and criminal justice are shaping local elections in Whatcom County. Voters in Western Washington’s northern-most communities are choosing candidates for four seats on the County Council, which has a new five-district system. The outcome could shape the future of fossil fuels and their role in the local economy. Keeping Whatcom County’s economy healthy is at the heart of the council races. One big issue is where new jobs will come from to support population growth. In some circles, there's a perception the current council’s progressive majority is limiting growth, especially in one key place. Bellamy Pailthorp reports. (KNKX)

Miami Beach Commission votes unanimously to free Lolita — but it’s not happening yet
The Miami Beach Commission is trying to put the pressure on the Miami Seaquarium to release its orca whale, Lolita, to a seaside sanctuary in the Pacific Northwest. The commission voted unanimously last week in favor of a resolution that urges the Seaquarium (operated by Palace Entertainment, a subsidiary of the Spain-based Parques Reunidos Servicios Centrales) to retire Lolita and place her in the care of the Orca Network, a non-profit in Washington State that developed an extensive Lolita retirement plan in 1995. The resolution holds only symbolic significance, and can’t legally compel the Seaquarium to move Lolita. Chabeli Herrera reports. (Miami Herald)

Now, your tug weather--
West Entrance U.S. Waters Strait Of Juan De Fuca-  300 AM PDT Wed Oct 25 2017  
TODAY  W wind 10 to 20 kt. Wind waves 1 to 3 ft. W swell 7 ft  at 12 seconds. Rain in the morning.
TONIGHT  W wind 10 to 20 kt becoming SE 5 to 15 kt after  midnight. Wind waves 1 to 3 ft. W swell 8 ft at 11 seconds.
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