2/15 Red sponge nudibranch, salmon research, blueback closure, oil train wrecks, shot seal recovery

Red sponge nudibranch [Dave Cowles]

Red sponge nudibranch Rostanga pulchra
This species feeds on, and is often found on, red sponges such as Acarnus, Esperiopsis, Ophlitaspongia, and Plocamia.  It lays its eggs in a tight orange circle on the sponges March to October (photo).  The larvae are planktonic for 30-45 days, then settle.  An encounter with at least one prey sponge, Ophlitaspongia pennata, can induce larvae to settle.  It is believed that its orange pigment comes from the sponge.  Adults can locate and navigate to distant Ophlitaspongia sponges by smell.  Some individuals seem to stay quite close to one area while others range for distant sponges.  Predators may include the flatworm Notoplana acticola.  The cephalaspidean predatory nudibranch Navanax inermis is repelled by secretions from Rostanga. (Walla Walla University)

BC-led international expedition to probe ailing Pacific salmon stocks
An unprecedented international collaboration could revolutionize salmon science and fisheries management, return forecasting and even hatchery output. Nineteen scientists from Russia, Canada, the United States, Japan and South Korea are set to probe the secret lives of five Pacific salmon species with a four-week grid search and test fishery across the Gulf of Alaska. The expedition begins next week aboard the Russian research ship MV Professor Kaganovsky. “We know virtually nothing about what happens to salmon once they leave near-shore waters in the Salish Sea,” said expedition organizer Dick Beamish. The project was developed as a research element of the 2019 International Year of the Salmon celebration, organized by the North Pacific Anadromous Fish Commission and its partners. Randy Shore reports. (Vancouver Sun)

Blueback closure latest in Quinault climate change impacts
The decision to close commercial fishing for Quinault River blueback (sockeye) salmon for conservation purposes this year is part of the ongoing effort by the Quinault Indian Nation to deal with the very tangible costs of climate change. After announcing the blueback closure on the river last week for 2019, Quinault President Fawn Sharp traveled to Washington, D.C. with a message for Congress about how the entire Quinault ecosystem from the glacier to the ocean is being harmed by climate conditions that have major impacts, economically as well as environmentally. Angelo Bruscas reports. (North Coast News)

Feds requiring regional response teams to oil train wrecks 
Federal transportation officials are requiring railroads to establish regional response teams along oil train routes following a series of fiery derailments. The new rule announced Thursday is aimed at having crews and equipment ready in the event of an accident. It applies to oil trains in continuous blocks of 20 or more loaded tank cars and those having 35 loaded tank cars. The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration issued the rule in coordination with the Federal Railroad Administration. The pipeline safety agency said a review identified challenges that occurred during previous responses to derailments. John Raby reports. (Associated Press)

If you want to watch: Pregnant seal shot in Puget Sound recovers, ready for release
A pregnant seal shot in Puget Sound is in recovery. Hear what happened, and why her caretakers are looking forward to this weekend. Alison Morrow reports. (KING)


Now, your weekend tug weather--
West Entrance U.S. Waters Strait Of Juan De Fuca-  303 AM PST Fri Feb 15 2019   
SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY IN EFFECT THROUGH LATE TONIGHT   
TODAY  SE wind 15 to 25 kt. Wind waves 2 to 4 ft. W swell 8 to  10 ft building to 12 ft at 15 seconds. A chance of showers. 
TONIGHT  S wind 15 to 25 kt easing to 10 to 15 kt. Wind waves 2  to 4 ft subsiding to 1 or 2 ft. W swell 10 to 12 ft at 14  seconds. A chance of showers. 
SAT  W wind 10 to 15 kt. Wind waves 1 or 2 ft. W swell 9 ft at  12 seconds. A chance of showers. 
SAT NIGHT  Variable wind to 10 kt becoming E 15 to 25 kt after  midnight. Wind waves 1 ft or less building to 3 to 5 ft after  midnight. W swell 9 ft at 10 seconds. 
SUN  E wind 20 to 30 kt. Wind waves 3 to 5 ft. W swell 7 ft at  10 seconds.

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