9/10 Lobster 'shroom, salmon disaster, seal cull, Camano park, Whatcom forest, murrelet plan, enviro heroes, BC carbon, Fukushima water, oily ship

Lobster mushroom [iNaturalist]

Lobster mushroom Hypomyces lactifluorum
The Lobster mushroom, Hypomyces lactifluorum, contrary to its common name, is not a mushroom, but rather a parasitic ascomycete fungus that grows on certain species of mushrooms, turning them a reddish orange color that resembles the outer shell of a cooked lobster. H. lactifluorum specifically attacks members of the genera Lactarius and Lactifluus, and Russula, such as Russula brevipes and Lactifluus piperatus in North America. At maturity, H. lactifluorum thoroughly covers its host, rendering it unidentifiable. Lobster mushrooms are widely eaten and enjoyed; they are commercially marketed and are commonly found in some large grocery stores. They have a seafood-like flavor and a firm, dense texture. (Wikipedia)

Advocates sound alarm on unfolding disaster in B.C. salmon fishing industry
First Nations and union leaders say there is a desperate need for relief for commercial salmon fishermen on British Columbia's coast. Advocates say the federal and provincial governments need to step in to help fishermen through the worst commercial fishing season in 50 years, as runs have plummeted for all species and in all regions. Joy Thorkelson, president of the United Fishermen and Allied Workers' Union, says at least 2,500 people have been affected by the downturn. (Canadian Press)

Could a seal cull in Canada help Salish salmon and Southern Resident orcas?
One of the biggest issues facing Puget Sound’s endangered Southern Resident killer whales is a lack of Chinook salmon, their preferred food. A Seattle chef and the PCC Community Markets chain have stopped selling local Chinook, in an effort to help provide more for the orcas. But fisheries experts say people eating Chinook is not the problem. The mystery is what happens to them in their first year of life as they head out to sea, before humans would catch them. Some scientists think booming numbers of harbor seals are to blame – and that culling them could quickly make a difference. Bellamy Pailthorp reports. (KNKX)

Camano Island’s newest park offers expanded waterfront access
The forest was 30 minutes from becoming lots for shoreline homes in 2015, above the striking bluffs at Barnum Point. With no time to spare, the Whidbey Camano Land Trust swooped in with an emergency loan to secure the 35-acre property. Now, that area is part of a 167-acre Island County park, which opened to the public in late August. The park’s mile of beach access is a win for Camano Island, where 83 percent of the waterfront is privately owned.  There are also 2.5 miles of groomed trails through forest and meadows in the park. Julia Grace-Sanders reports. (Everett Herald)

Here’s what will benefit from the $250,000 grant the Whatcom Land Trust received
The Whatcom Land Trust has received a $250,000 grant for its effort to protect thousands of acres of forest and salmon habitat in Whatcom County. The M.J. Murdock Charitable Trust recently announced it was awarding the grant to the land trust for the preservation of what’s being called the Skookum Creek Conservation Corridor. In February, the nonprofit Whatcom Land Trust announced its deal to buy 1,400 acres of riparian forest, land that’s adjacent to a river or other type of flowing water, and uplands for $4 million. Kim Relyea reports. (Bellingham Herald)

Funds approved for economic study of murrelet plan
The Clallam County commissioners have agreed to give $7,500 to the Washington State Association of Counties to conduct an economic impact study of the Long-Term Conservation Strategy for the marbled murrelet and how it would affect junior taxing districts. The commissioners agreed to send a letter to the Washington State Association of Counties (WSAC) informing it of the county’s support Tuesday. WSAC sent a letter to the county in August requesting the funds so that it can conduct a detailed economic impact analysis on county taxing district revenues if the preferred alternative in the Department of Natural Resources’ Draft Environmental Impact Statement for the Long-term Conservation Strategy for the marbled murrelet is implemented. Clallam County, which has 93,301 acres of county trust lands — more than any other county in the state — was asked to provide $7,500 for the study. As of Aug. 13, DNR had committed $20,000 toward the study. Jesse Major reports. (Peninsula Daily News)

Environmental Heroes: Community leaders who inspire labors of love
For more than a decade, the public advocacy group RE Sources has honored individuals who make a difference in this community. Some years, selections are driven by current events and leading headlines; other years are thematic. This year’s selection is a bit of both—focused on the fundamentals that nourish life in the Salish Sea. This year's heroes are Rosalinda Guillen, Farmworker justice leader and food system activist; Rachel Vasak, Salmon steward and community builder; and Steve Garey, Labor rights advocate and clean energy champion. Tim Johnson reports. (Cascadia Weekly)

B.C. carbon pollution rises 1.2 per cent in most recent report
B.C.’s progress in reducing greenhouse gas emissions over the past decade has been virtually wiped out due to large increases in carbon pollution the last two years, according to new government data released Monday. The province’s pollution levels reached almost 64.5 million tonnes of carbon-dioxide equivalent in 2017, according to the most recent figures from the new government inventory. That’s an increase of 1.2 per cent from 2016, mainly due to the then-booming residential construction sector, agriculture, manufacturing and transportation. B.C.’s GHG emissions have now increased in five of the last seven years. Carbon pollution is back up to the 2007 level of 64.8 million tonnes. That’s a key distinction because 2007 is the benchmark year the province uses to determine its progress in fighting pollution. Rob Shaw reports. (Vancouver Sun)

Fukushima: Radioactive water may be dumped in Pacific
Japan's environment minister says contaminated water from the Fukushima nuclear plant may have to be released into the ocean because storage space will run out in 2022. More than a million tonnes of water that has been used to cool melted reactors is kept in giant tanks. Fisherman's groups are strongly opposed to the idea but many scientists say it would pose a low risk. The government said a final decision had not yet been taken. (BBC)

The Tale of Dirty, Old, Leaky Zalinski
A Second World War-era shipwreck is a haunting reminder that you can never fully clean up an oil spill. Larry Pynn reports. (Hakai Magazine)


Now, your tug weather--
West Entrance U.S. Waters Strait Of Juan De Fuca-  255 AM PDT Tue Sep 10 2019   
TODAY  NW wind to 10 kt. Wind waves 1 ft or less. W swell 5 ft  at 9 seconds. A chance of showers. 
TONIGHT  W wind 5 to 15 kt in the evening becoming light. Wind  waves 2 ft or less. W swell 5 ft at 9 seconds.



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