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| Green sea urchin [Hannah Robinson/WikiMedia] |
Like the sea star, this echinoderm is radially symmetrical and has an oral surface with a mouth in the center. Shaped like a squashed sphere, its hard outer covering is called a test. Unlike the sea star, the tube feet cover almost the entire surface of the urchin. In addition, it has spines that are jointed at the base, and the urchin can move by moving both its very long, suckered, tube feet and its lower spines in a concerted fashion. It moves slowly but can cover surprising ground.... Sea urchins are herbivores, marine algae of many kinds their primary diet. Bull Kelp is one of their major foods in our area. Research has shown that when Sea Otters disappear from an area, urchins (a common otter prey) can reach an abundance sufficient to completely wipe out algae over large areas. (Slater Museum/U Puget Sound)
Students globally protest warming, pleading for their future
Students across a warming globe pleaded for their lives, future and planet Friday, demanding tough action on climate change. From the South Pacific to the edge of the Arctic Circle, angry students in more than 100 countries walked out of classes to protest what they see as the failures by their governments. Well more than 150,000 students and adults who were mobilized by word of mouth and social media protested in Europe, according to police estimates. But the initial turnout in the United States did not look quite as high. “Borders, languages and religions do not separate us,” eight-year-old Havana Chapman-Edwards, who calls herself the tiny diplomat, told hundreds of protesters at the U.S. Capitol. “Today we are telling the truth and we do not take no for an answer.” Seth Broenstein and Frank Jordans report. (Associated Press) See also: Students take to Vancouver streets calling for action on climate change (CBC) And also: ‘If we just go to school that doesn’t mean we’ll have a future (Everett Herald) Also: ‘What’s the point of studying for a future that’s being threatened?’ protest organizer says (Bellingham Herald) And: Port Angeles students take part in climate protest (Peninsula Daily News) And: Port Townsend students strike for change (Peninsula Daily News)
No more special spring pollution evaluations for Samish Bay
At this time of year, the Samish watershed is typically under heightened scrutiny as the state conducts a special spring pollution evaluation. But in the latest nod to improvements made in cleaning the watershed and as a step toward continuing that trend, the state Department of Health recently decided to end the March through June evaluations and instead do less intense, annual evaluations like it does for other watersheds with shellfish beds.... [Scott Berbells, shellfish growing areas manager with the Department of Health] said the change will allow the state agency to home in on specific incidents of pollution and spend time looking for and fixing the sources throughout the year. The pollution at issue in the watershed — which includes the Samish River, its tributaries and Samish Bay — is bacterial pollution associated with sewage and manure. Kimberly Cauvel reports. (Skagit Valley Herald)
B.C. Court of Appeal to hear province's oil-transport reference case Monday
British Columbia's Court of Appeal will consider a key question regarding provincial powers in the political battle over the future of the Trans Mountain pipeline expansion project during a five-day hearing that starts Monday. The B.C. government's reference case asks the court if the province has jurisdiction to regulate the transport of oil through its territory and restrict bitumen shipments from Alberta. Specifically, it asks if proposed amendments to British Columbia's Environmental Management Act are valid and if they give the province the authority to control the shipment of heavy oils based on the impact spills could have on the environment, human health or communities. Amy Smart reports. (Canadian Press)
Haida Gwaii is a crown jewel of biodiversity — and still fuelled by diesel in 2019
cross the world, Haida Gwaii is described as a place with "reverence for the environment," an archipelago with "almost mystical energy," a place with stunning biodiversity that makes it "Canada's answer to the Galapagos." And every year, the islands off B.C.'s North Coast burn through 10 million litres of diesel to create electricity. "It's a dirty little secret for us," said Darin Swanson, a hereditary chief in Old Masset, and capital works program manager for the Council of the Haida Nation. Unconnected to BC Hydro's main electrical grid, two diesel generation stations provide the majority of power to Haida Gwaii's nearly 5,000 residents. A small, private hydroelectric plant on Moresby Island is the only major source of clean energy. Justin McElroy reports. (CBC)
LNG Canada could approve expansion before natural gas export facility is complete
One of the most expensive energy projects in Canada could soon get larger. Construction ramped up this month on LNG Canada's massive natural gas export facility in northern B.C., but the consortium is now talking about possible expansion. LNG Canada is a consortium of companies led by Shell Canada and includes Petronas, PetroChina, KOGAS and Mitsubishi Corporation. The project includes a pipeline across B.C., a port and terminal that liquifies the gas so it can be transported on tankers. The potential price tag of the entire project has been estimated to be upwards of $40 billion. Chief executive Andy Calitz spoke confidently of how it's likely just a matter of time before the ownership group commits to an expansion of the Kitimat site. A decision on making the investment could happen before the initial five-year construction project is finished. Kyle Bakx reports. (CBC)
Salish Sea Communications: Remembering Helen Engle
More memorials have been added celebrating the life of activist Helen Engle who died on March 11 2019. Add your memories, too.
In Oregon, New Sage Grouse Plans Allow For Continued Grazing
The Trump administration Friday lifted restrictions meant to protect greater sage grouse across seven western states. In Oregon grazing restrictions are being removed in 13 locations that provide habitat for the imperiled birds. Ranchers are supporting the move, saying proper grazing will help sage grouse. But conservation groups said the controversial and imperiled birds need all the protection they can get. The revisions will be more far reaching in other western states than in Oregon. In other states, the federal government had not been allowing infrastructure development in key areas, but it will now give waivers and exemptions for oil and gas drilling in some cases. The plans no longer strictly steer oil and gas leases away from important sage grouse habitat. Courtney Flatt reports. (OPB)
Washington, join Hawaii and set a 100 percent clean-energy goal
As with many big goals, at first the cynics said it would be too expensive, too complicated and too risky. But in 2015, our state passed a law to generate 100 percent of our electricity from renewable energy by 2045, making us the first in the country to commit to this bold goal. And the law has been proving the cynics wrong ever since. We invite you, Washingtonians, to consider our experience in Hawaii, as your Legislature ponders a bill that would require that Washington’s electric grid be 100 percent carbon-free by 2045 or earlier. In our state, this one landmark law, similar to the one your elected officials are now debating, spurred investment, unlocked innovation and fostered collaboration previously unseen. We are now rapidly transforming our system to clean energy, at costs that are consistently lower than predicted. Renewable energy is also proving to be the key to grid resilience, enabling us to build a power system that can withstand future climate-related disasters. Chris Lee and Melissa Miyashiro write. (Seattle Times guest opinion)
Mass Migration of Painted Lady Butterflies Entrances Californians
Swarms of any other insect might provoke fears of a coming apocalypse, but clouds of butterflies migrating through Southern California are captivating onlookers who are relishing the otherworldly spectacle. The orange butterflies, called painted ladies, are known to travel annually from the deserts of Southern California to the Pacific Northwest. This month, people are taking notice because of the sheer size of the migration: Scientists estimate the teeming painted ladies number in the millions. Julia Jacobs reports. (NY Times)
Dead Philippines whale had 40kg of plastic in stomach
A dead whale that washed up in the Philippines had 40kg (88lbs) of plastic bags inside its stomach, researchers have said. Workers at D'Bone Collector Museum recovered the Cuvier's beaked whale east of Davao City earlier in March. In a Facebook post, the museum said the animal was filled with "the most plastic we have ever seen in a whale". There were 16 rice sacks in its stomach, as well as "multiple shopping bags". (BBC)
Now, your tug weather--
West Entrance U.S. Waters Strait Of Juan De Fuca- 226 AM PDT Mon Mar 18 2019
SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY IN EFFECT THROUGH LATE TONIGHT
TODAY E wind 20 to 30 kt becoming SE 15 to 25 kt in the afternoon. Wind waves 3 to 5 ft. W swell 5 ft at 12 seconds.
TONIGHT E wind 20 to 30 kt becoming SE 20 to 25 kt after midnight. Wind waves 3 to 5 ft. W swell 6 ft at 12 seconds.
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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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