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| Ribbon worm [North Island Explorer] |
The bright red-orange color of this species makes it easy to spot on the beach. Red ribbon worms do not commonly exceed a length of 2 feet (60 cm) but can reach 3 feet (90 cm) and when fully stretched out, large ones can measure 10 feet. Their head is rounded and somewhat distinct from the body. There are no eyes or markings on the head. Look for this species in rocky areas and mussel beds. It ranges from the intertidal zone to a depth of 165 feet (50 meters). Mary Jo Adams wrote. (Sound Water Stewards)
Year's highest tides on the way
The highest tides of the year, called king tides, are forecast to hit area shorelines Monday. King tides are extreme high tides that occur during the winter, when the moon is closest to Earth. They present an opportunity to preview what the state’s shoreline areas may look like in the future as sea level rises, according to the King Tides Program coordinated by the state Department of Ecology and Washington Sea Grant, which is a research and education program out of the University of Washington.... King tides are forecast for nine days: Monday through Wednesday, Dec. 25-27 and Jan. 23-25. Kimberly Cauvel reports. (Skagit Valley Herald)
Salish Sea Communications: 20th Annual Northwest Straits Initiative/Marine Resources Committees Conference: A Brief Personal Review. Pete Haase guest blogs on the mid-November annual gathering. And, if you like to listen: State Senator Kevin Ranker Keynote Speech to the NW Straits Annual Meeting (30 minutes, 22 seconds)
Government climate report warns of worsening US disasters
As California’s catastrophic wildfires recede and people rebuild after two hurricanes, a massive new federal report warns that these types of disasters are worsening in the United States because of global warming. The White House report quietly issued Friday also frequently contradicts President Donald Trump. The National Climate Assessment was written long before the deadly fires in California this month and before Hurricanes Florence and Michael raked the East Coast and Florida. It says warming-charged extremes “have already become more frequent, intense, widespread or of long duration.” The report notes the last few years have smashed U.S. records for damaging weather, costing nearly $400 billion since 2015. Seth Borenstein reports. (Associated Press) See also: Trump Administration’s Strategy on Climate: Try to Bury Its Own Scientific Report The Trump White House, which has defined itself by a willingness to dismiss scientific findings and propose its own facts, on Friday issued a scientific report that directly contradicts its own climate-change policies. That sets the stage for a remarkable split-screen political reality in coming years. The administration is widely expected to discount or ignore the report’s detailed findings of the economic strain caused by climate change, even as it continues to cut environmental regulations, while opponents use it to mount legal attacks against the very administration that issued the report. Coral Davenport reports. (NY Times)
One Tiny Owl: Otherworldly Photos From California's Woolsey Fire
When Los Angeles Times photographer Wally Skalij photographed a tiny owl sitting on the beach in Malibu as the flames of the Woolsey Fire burned in the background, he had no idea how many people would connect with the image. Since the Times published the photo, it’s been shared thousands of times on social media. The owl and other photos Skalij made — three llamas tied to a lifeguard stand, a father and daughter sifting through the ashes of their home, a firefighter peering over a concrete wall as a torrent of flames rises in front of him — are eerie and otherworldly, capturing the surreal nature of a world consumed by fire. Ari Shapiro and Aubri Juhasz report. (NPR)
From skiing to salmon runs, the national climate report predicts a Northwest lifestyle in peril
Climate change’s effects – among them, increasing wildfires, disease outbreak and drought – are taking a toll on the Northwest, and what’s to come will threaten and transform our way of life from the salmon streams to ski slopes, according to a new federal climate assessment released Friday. Evan Bush reports. (Seattle Times) See also: Green hypocrisy? Washington state voters keep proving it's not easy being green Danny Westneat writes. (Seattle Times)
Pipeline protesters convicted of civil contempt of court get 7 days jail A priest and one of her parishioners, who were pursued in court by Trans Mountain after they had their criminal contempt charges dropped by the Crown, received jail time and an order to pay $2,000 in legal costs. Keith Fraser reports. (Vancouver Sun) See also: Trans Mountain: The billion-dollar oil pipeline Canadians own and can’t build Jessica Murphy reports. (BBC News)
Dry fall puts damper on Kitsap salmon returns
Rains sweeping across Kitsap last week may have arrived too late to help tens of thousands of salmon wriggling up streams to spawn. Late October and early November were marked by dry weather that settled in just as chum and coho were gathering at creek mouths around the peninsula. Suquamish Tribe fisheries biologist Jon Oleyar said water levels were "extremely low" in east Kitsap creeks and salmon have struggled to reach accustomed spawning grounds.... Stragglers could still benefit from the showers now arriving. Tad Sooter reports. (Kitsap Sun)
State proposes listing marine snail as endangered
The state Department of Fish & Wildlife has proposed listing the pinto abalone, which is found in area marine waters, as endangered. The state agency is taking public input on the proposal and will hold a public meeting in December in Anacortes. The pinto abalone, which is a type of marine snail, is the only abalone species in the state and is prized for its meat and its shiny shells. While there has never been a commercial fishery in the state for pinto abalone and the recreational fishery was closed in 1994, the species has continued to decline, nearly disappearing from the San Juan Island region, according to a news release. Kimberly Cauvel reports. (Skagit Valley Herald)
Race between McClendon, Randall among 3 headed for recounts in Washington
Three legislative races in Washington state are heading to a hand recount after election results are certified next week. For the open Senate seat in the 26th District, Democrat Emily Randall is leading by 99 votes as of Friday over Republican Marty McClendon. The two are vying to replace Republican Sen. Jan Angel, who is retiring. In the 42nd District, Republican Sen. Doug Ericksen led Democratic challenger Pinky Vargas by just 45 votes. And Ericksen’s seatmate in the House, Republican Rep. Luanne Van Werven, led Democrat Justin Boneau by 80 votes. Rachel La Corte reports. (Associated Press)
Proposals to restrict single-use plastic items gaining steam in Gig Harbor
Support appears to be building for two ordinances that would restrict stores and restaurants in Gig Harbor from using certain products, including plastic bags, plastic straws and Styrofoam. A majority of the people who spoke about the ordinances at the Nov. 14 City Council meeting said they support banning some kinds of plastics from the city. That included Holly Chisa of the Northwest Grocery Association, who told the council her group would abide by the ordinances if passed. “We are here today to let you know the ordinance in front of you today is one that we know, and if you choose to go this direction, we would support that decision,” Chisa said. Jake Gregg reports. (Tacoma News Tribune)
Poisoned Wildlife and Tainted Meat: Why Hunters Are Moving Away From Lead Bullets
Many hunters are ditching traditional ammunition amid mounting evidence that it harms scavengers and pollutes the food people eat. Ian Urbina reports. (NY Times)
If you like to watch: To fix salmon streams, leave it to beavers
Join us to watch how scientists trap, rehabilitate and relocate beavers from suburban pond to mountain stream — and discover the strange technique used to tell a male beaver from a female. Sarah Hoffman reports. (Crosscut/KCTS) See also: Chinatown koi evacuation begins as otter rampage claims 10th fatality (Vancouver Sun)
Now, your tug weather--
West Entrance U.S. Waters Strait Of Juan De Fuca- 211 AM PST Mon Nov 26 2018
SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY IN EFFECT THROUGH LATE TONIGHT
TODAY SE wind 20 to 30 kt. Wind waves 3 to 5 ft. SW swell 10 ft at 10 seconds building to 15 ft at 11 seconds in the afternoon. Rain.
TONIGHT SE wind 20 to 30 kt easing to 5 to 15 kt after midnight. Wind waves 3 to 5 ft subsiding to 2 ft or less after midnight. W swell 15 ft at 13 seconds. Rain.
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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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