8/18 Anemone, Trump's ANWR drilling, Fraser sockeye, Asian hornet, Port Moody smell, Kelly Brenner

[Photo: Mary Jo Adams]

 

White plumed anemone Metridium spp.
Metridium senile is smaller, growing to about 2 inches in diameter at the base and 4 inches high when the animal is fully extended. Metridium giganteum can grow to 3 feet high. Color in both species is variable (white, cream, tan, brown, or orange).   The column is smooth. The very fine tentacles (which may number one hundred or more) are white, brown, or gray. Look for Metridium on rocky beaches and also on docks and pilings. If the water is clear when you're waiting for a ferryboat, look at the base of the pilings where the boat pulls in and you may see some of the large ones open and swaying with the movement of the water as they capture plankton with their tentacles.   When the tide is out, Metridium may droop from its point of attachment like a sock with a rock in the toe. Mary Jo Adams writes. (Sound Water Stewards)

Trump administration announces plans to drill in Arctic National Wildlife Refuge
Interior Secretary David Bernhardt on Monday announced plans for an oil and gas leasing program in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, clearing the way for drilling in the remote Alaskan area. Bernhardt said future leases of the federally-owned land will make the entire 1.5 million acre Coastal Plain area available. Bernhardt said the announcement "marks a new chapter in American energy independence" and predicted it could "create thousands of new jobs." Gregory Wallace and Chandelis Duster report. (CNN)

Four reasons 2020 is set to see the lowest Fraser River sockeye salmon return on record
Even a low-ball prediction for the number of sockeye returning to B.C. river was too high and First Nations and conservationists say government mismanagement and lice infestations are partly to blame. Stephanie Wood reports. (The Narwhal)

A seventh Asian giant hornet has been found in Whatcom. Here’s where it was trapped.
A second Asian giant hornet has been found in a Washington State Department of Agriculture trap — this one near Custer, the agency announced on Monday, Aug. 17. It was the first male Asian giant hornet to be found in the U.S., according to the department’s news release. The latest brings to seven the number of Asian giant hornets found in Washington state since 2019. All seven were found in Whatcom County and represent the first sightings not only for the state but also the U.S. Kie Relyea reports. (Bellingham Herald)

Port Moody's smelly mystery solved by air-quality investigators
Air-quality investigators have pinpointed the source of a pungent rotten-egg stench that's been polluting the air in some neighbourhoods of Port Moody, B.C., near the Barnet Highway since Aug. 9. The sulphur-like stink led to 195 complaints to the Metro Vancouver regional district, many from residents frustrated at having to close their windows to avoid the odour as temperatures rose...On Sunday, Pacific Coast Terminals confirmed that the bad odours were emanating from its seaside shipping facilities, where there were problems with a water treatment plant. Yvette Brend reports. (CBC)

A world of wonder: Celebrating invertebrates at low tide
Puget Sound at low tide is a joy well known to many in the region. It’s a formative experience for many children here, overturning rocks to see all the tiny crabs and sea stars that live amidst colorful seaweed, kelp and barnacles. But few people are as versed in the lesser-known critters that live in the tidal zone as Seattle naturalist Kelly Brenner. She specializes in anything without a backbone. Brenner is the co-founder of an online event called #Invertefest, which challenges anyone who wants to take part to find and help document the lesser-known or less-celebrated creatures in our midst.  She also wrote a recent field guide to Seattle, which includes chapters on marine life.  Bellamy Pailthorp reports. (KNKX)

Now, your tug weather--
West Entrance U.S. Waters Strait Of Juan De Fuca-  233 AM PDT Tue Aug 18 2020   
TODAY  Light wind becoming N to 10 kt in the afternoon. Wind  waves 1 ft or less. W swell 3 ft at 9 seconds. Patchy drizzle and  fog. 
TONIGHT  W wind to 10 kt. Wind waves 1 ft or less. W swell 3 ft  at 9 seconds.

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