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| Elephant seals [National Geographic] |
A growing family of Northern elephant seals is making parts of Fidalgo and Whidbey islands home — an unusual development that may indicate more of the species will be moving in as the global climate and waters of the Pacific Ocean warm. Representatives from the Central Puget Sound Marine Mammal Stranding Network and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration said about 10 years ago a female elephant seal came ashore on southern Whidbey Island and gave birth to a pup. That pup is now a large male — with the inflatable nose that earned the species its name — and continues to spend time each year on Whidbey Island beaches. Kimberly Cauvel reports. (Skagit Valley Herald)
*EDITOR'S NOTE: Access updates on the COVID-19 virus at national and regional print publications like the CBC, the Seattle Times, the New York Times, and the Washington Post.
Warm-water ‘blobs’ significantly diminish salmon, other fish populations, study says
It’s no secret that salmon and other Northwest fish populations are expected to shrink as a result of a warming Pacific Ocean. But a new study suggests that the resulting decline in commercial fishing by 2050 could be twice as great as previously estimated by climate scientists. The higher estimates of population declines were calculated by researchers at the University of British Columbia, who took into account occasional “marine heat waves” that can play havoc with the ecosystem. A recent example is the warm-water event known as the “blob,” which included ocean temperatures up to 7 degrees above average (Fahrenheit) during a two-year period beginning in 2014. Chris Dunagan reports. (Puget Sound Institute)
Trudeau pledges $62.5M for fish and seafood sector amid mounting food supply concerns
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has announced $62.5 million for Canada's fish and seafood sector amid mounting concerns over the state of the country's food supply. Seafood processors, fisheries and harvesters are worried about whether they'll have the labour they need — including enough temporary foreign workers — to fill out their workforce, while others have called for delays to the spring season as they work to establish proper safety protocols. The prime minister said the funds will go toward protecting workers and putting in place recommended health guidelines within the industry. Raisa Patel reports. (CBC)
Trans Mountain, LNG Canada say they are on track despite pandemic
Energy projects like an LNG Canada export terminal and the Trans Mountain pipeline expansion may face short-term setbacks but the pandemic and oil price crash shouldn't threaten their long-term viability, economists say. Andrew Leach, an energy economist at the University of Alberta, said the long-term forecast for both natural gas and oil remains steady, even as some companies scale back workforces to meet safety protocols. (CBC)
The Lab That Discovered Global Warming Has Good News and Bad News
The good news is that the pandemic shows “science works.” The bad news? Global warming may be far more dangerous than a pandemic. Richard Shiffman reports. (NY Times)
If you like to watch: Rising from the Ashes (9:25)
Less than six years ago, the second of two dams on the Elwha River, on Washington’s Olympic Peninsula, was taken out to provide access for fish to the upper river located in the Olympic National Park. Since then, we have witnessed a remarkable transformation of the river – and of the wildlife that depend on it. (Trout Unlimited and Northfork Studio)
Canadian Coast Guard asks B.C. mariners to stay home to prevent spread of COVID-19
B.C. mariners are being asked to think twice about heading out on the water during the COVID-19 pandemic. With parks closed and physical distancing restrictions in place for other outdoor activities, a day on the water may be a tempting idea. But Canadian Coast Guard assistant commissioner Roger Girouard is asking mariners to avoid non-essential trips. (CBC) See also: R2AK, Wooden Boat Festival canceled June’s Race to Alaska has been canceled for this year, as has been September’s Wooden Boat Festival — unless the fall celebration of boats is conducted online. Also canceled is the SEVENTY48 race in June; and the Salish 100, Pocket Yacht Palooza and the Palooza Crooza in July. Leah Leach reports. (Peninsula Daily News)
With recycling's dirty truths exposed, Washington works toward a cleaner, more sustainable system
.... For more than two decades, China eagerly sought out the world’s paper and plastic waste and paid handsomely for it. Then, in 2018, the Asian nation slammed the door, fed up with shipments so filthy with garbage and debris, they couldn’t be recycled and were a nightmare to dispose of. Sandi Doughton reports. (Seattle Times) See: Metro Vancouver reports big drop in garbage during pandemic Metro Vancouver says it has seen about 10 per cent less waste so far this April, compared to the same time last year. Rafferty Baker reports. (CBC) And: The Trash That Fuels Oahu’s Power Plant Is Vanishing As Fast As The Tourists Since the coronavirus crisis hit, Oahu’s visitor count has plummeted. So has the trash that comes with their stay. The total tons of opala — or garbage — sent to the island’s H-Power waste-to-energy plant has dropped 15% since early March, the city’s Department of Environmental Services reports Marcel Honore reports. (Civil Beat)
B.C.'s tourism industry prepares for a bleak summer
This month was supposed to be the start of the busiest cruise season in Metro Vancouver history, but the cruise industry — and the province's tourism industry as a whole — is looking at a much more subdued season altogether due to COVID-19...According to the task force, in 2018, B.C.'s tourism industry brought in $20.5 billion in revenue, and contributed 161,500 jobs to the economy. (CBC)
Human Elements: Preserving 600-year-old giants
Ken Wu is searching for the ancient giants in British Columbia’s coastal rainforest. He climbs over mossy logs and supersized ferns in search of trees so tall you have to crane your neck. As the executive director of Endangered Ecosystems Alliance, Wu uses science to inform protection of these forests. He catalogs and measures British Columbia’s biggest trees, some of them on the order of 600 years old. According to satellite mapping, only 3% of these giant trees remain. Wu’s hope is that showing the diversity of these ecosystems will instill a sense of wonder in people and encourage protection of these forests. Sarah Hoffman reports. (Crosscut)
Now, your tug weather--
West Entrance U.S. Waters Strait Of Juan De Fuca- 627 AM PDT Mon Apr 27 2020
SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY IN EFFECT UNTIL 5 PM PDT THIS AFTERNOON
TODAY SW wind 5 to 15 kt becoming 10 to 20 kt in the afternoon. Wind waves 1 to 2 ft building to 2 to 4 ft in the afternoon. W swell 11 ft at 12 seconds. Rain likely.
TONIGHT SW wind 10 to 20 kt becoming S to 10 kt after midnight. Wind waves 2 to 4 ft subsiding to 1 ft after midnight. W swell 9 ft at 12 seconds. A chance of rain in the evening.
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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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