8/11 Sculpin, Trump's spotted owl, BC Ferries, Cape Cod oysters, pregnant orcas

 Sailfin sculpin Nautichthys oculofasciatus
Sailfin sculpin are found Alaska to southern California and are abundant but primarily nocturnal, hiding in crevices during the day. Seen at night over rocky and kelp-covered sandy bottoms undulating its long, second dorsal fin when swimming. (Marine Wildlife of Puget Sound, the San Juans and the Strait of Georgia)    See also: Sculpins of Puget Sound (Seattle Aquarium

Trump administration wants to reduce critical habitat for northern spotted owls
The Trump administration is proposing to eliminate protections for imperiled northern spotted owls by taking back critical habitat status from more than 200,000 acres of public forests in Oregon. The owl has been an icon since the late 1980s in the effort to protect what’s left of the Pacific Northwest’s ancient forests. In 1990 it was listed as “threatened” under the Endangered Species Act. The U.S Fish and Wildlife Service has proposed to reduce the Northern Spotted Owl’s critical habitat population by 204,653 acres or 2% of 9.6 million acres that have been designated as protected habitat for the owl. The move drew criticism from conservationists. Monica Samayoa reports. (OPB)

Feds to bail out B.C. Ferries, but Greens wants it overhauled
B.C. Ferries will receive federal financial assistance from Ottawa, but the corporation’s long-term stability will only be secure once it is brought back into government, says the interim leader of the B.C. Greens. Federal Environment Minister Jonathan Wilkinson and B.C. Transportation Minister Claire Trevena will announce Tuesday morning that B.C. Ferries is eligible for the same matching federal and provincial financial assistance already earmarked for B.C. Transit and TransLink. Rob Shaw reports. (Vancouver Sun)

On the Shores of Cape Cod, Where the Oyster Is Their World
Pollution, development and overharvesting have greatly diminished America's natural oyster habitat. Aquaculture and adaptable farmers have changed the game. Randy Harris reports. (NY Times)

Fish and wildlife experts call public to steer-clear of pregnant orcas in Puget Sound
Researchers say due to poor nutritional opportunities, orcas have a low success rate for pregnancies. Wildlife officials advice the public to keep their distance when spotting orcas in Puget Sound. (KCPQ)

Now, your tug weather--
West Entrance U.S. Waters Strait Of Juan De Fuca-  548 AM PDT Tue Aug 11 2020   
TODAY  SE wind to 10 kt becoming NW 10 to 20 kt in the  afternoon. Wind waves 1 ft or less building to 1 to 3 ft in the  afternoon. W swell 6 ft at 11 seconds. Patchy fog in the morning. 
TONIGHT  W wind 10 to 20 kt becoming SW 5 to 15 kt after  midnight. Wind waves 1 to 3 ft. W swell 6 ft at 10 seconds.

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