3/4 Octopus, BC LNG 'patience,' BC fossil fuels, salmon forecast, construction for fish, bad tuna, Port Alberni aquarium, Chehalis River dam

Pacific octopus [Monterey Bay Aquarium]

The many brains of an octopus
An octopus has two-thirds of its brain cells in its suckers — suction cups along its arms that help in catching prey and moving around. This enables the octopus to process information locally and allows the arms to work independent of the brain. Researchers at the Gire Lab at the UW are attempting to understand the unique process of decision making in octopuses. Each sucker behaves as if it has its own brain. Akanksha Mishra reports. (UW Daily)

Trudeau urges patience as Wet’suwet’en mull over land and title deal
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says he knows people are impatient for a resolution to tensions involving a disputed natural gas pipeline in northern British Columbia, but time is needed to respect the traditions of the Wet’suwet’en people. Speaking to reporters in Halifax this morning, Trudeau acknowledged the opposition of some Wet’suwet’en leaders to the Coastal GasLink pipeline has led to difficult times for many Canadians over the past few weeks. He said his government has been focused on trying to find a solution, but added that current tensions stem from centuries of marginalizing Indigenous Peoples in Canada. (National Post)

B.C. politicians must focus more on phasing out fossil fuels, report says
Politicians in British Columbia aren't focused enough on phasing out fossil fuel industries, a new report says. The report, authored by the left-leaning Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives, said the province must move away from fossil fuel industries by mid-century in order to meet its climate targets, but adds that the B.C. government is ill prepared to transition to a green economy. (CBC)

Salmon forecasts released as salmon season-setting process gets underway for 2020
Fishery managers say the coming year may be another tough one for anglers in Washington, with low salmon returns expected again in 2020. The 2020 forecasts for Chinook, coho, sockeye and chum salmon — developed by the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife and treaty Indian tribes — were released during a public meeting in Olympia. The forecast meeting marks the starting point for developing this year’s salmon-fishing seasons in Puget Sound, the Columbia River, and Washington coastal areas, part of the annual “North of Falcon” process that sets salmon fisheries. A series of public meetings is scheduled through early April to develop tentative fishing seasons for the upcoming year. (Associated Press)

WA considers requiring new construction projects to improve the environment
In a move promoted by environmentalists and others as key to staving off the extinction of Puget Sound orcas — but opposed by the building industry — Washington may soon take a first, small step toward requiring that development benefit the environment. The budget proposed by the Washington House calls for planners to begin preparing to replace the state’s requirement that construction cause “no net loss” to habitat with a higher standard backed by environmental advocates — “net ecological gain.” It appears Washington would be the first state in the nation to do so. Levi Pulkkinen reports. (InvestigateWest)

Tuna sold in B.C. recalled due to high levels of histamine
More tuna products sold throughout British Columbia have been recalled after an investigation by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency found high levels of histamine. The expanded list includes frozen and previously frozen ahi tuna steaks that were sold in various B.C. Choices Market and IGA stores, and Save On Foods in B.C. Alberta, Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Yukon. (CBC)

Vancouver Island aquarium fights to stay open
Employees at Port Alberni's only aquarium say the space is vital to providing education in the community, in the midst of climate change. But last week the Alberni Aquarium and Stewardship Centre's board of directors said the centre just wasn't bringing in enough revenue to cover expenses, and now the space is likely to close at the end of March. Adam van der Zwan reports. (CBC)

Proposed new dam on Chehalis to address chronic flooding raises many questions
The Chehalis River has flooded 18 times in the past 20 years, sometimes submerging Interstate 5 near Olympia. The local Flood Control Zone District is proposing a new dam to prevent extreme high water. A draft environmental impact statement is now out for public comment.  The new dam would only trap water when the river reaches a certain volume. This is what’s known as a “run of the river” dam; under normal conditions, it would let the Chehalis run. It's designed with fish passage through underground tunnels and there are mechanisms for a gradual release from the reservoir after any damming. But the structure would require clearing forest land along the river — and it would be massive. Bellamy Pailthorp reports. (KNKX)


Now, your tug weather--
West Entrance U.S. Waters Strait Of Juan De Fuca-  136 AM PST Wed Mar 4 2020   
SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY IN EFFECT THROUGH THIS AFTERNOON   
TODAY  W wind 15 to 25 kt becoming NW to 10 kt in the  afternoon. Wind waves 2 to 4 ft subsiding to 1 ft or less. W  swell 13 ft at 14 seconds subsiding to 11 ft at 14 seconds. 
TONIGHT  SE wind to 10 kt rising to 5 to 15 kt after midnight.  Wind waves 2 ft or less. W swell 9 ft at 13 seconds. A slight  chance of rain in the evening then a chance of rain after  midnight.



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