9/29 Hawthorn, female orcas, BC fish farms, Site C dam costs, BC's 8 endangered species

Black hawthorn [City of Beaverton]

 
Black hawthorn Crataegus douglasii
Black hawthorn ranges from southern Vancouver Island south at low elevations. The thorns were used as prongs on rakes used for catching herring, lances for probing skin blisters and boils, for piercing ears, fish hooks and playing pieces for games. The dry, seedy fruits were eaten by many coastal groups both fresh and dried. They were not highly regarded however. The genus name comes from the Greek kratos, 'strength,' because the wood is noted for its great strength and fine grain. (Plants of the Pacific Northwest Coast)

More female southern resident killer whales needed for population growth: scientists
The addition of a new male calf to a critically endangered pod of southern resident killer whales has experts happy, yet disappointed because it won’t further the population of the orcas. The Center for Whale Research in Friday Harbor, Wash., said scientists snapped a photo confirming the sex as the roughly three-week-old mammal rolled and played in West Coast waters just south of the Canadian border while swimming beside its mother, J35...Andrew Trites, director of the Marine Mammal Research Unit at the University of B.C., said the only down side about a male is that it won’t bear more calves...One of the biggest problems facing southern resident killer whales is that they have a higher number of male births and survivals than females, he said. Of about 40 calves born since 2000, 26 are males while 13 are females. The sex of one is still undetermined. The skewed sex ratio in such a small population does not bode well for the future, Trites said, adding just one male is needed for numerous females. (Canadian Press)

Controversial Discovery Islands fish farms pose 'minimal risk' to wild salmon, DFO says
The battle to have 18 open-net fish farms removed from a critical salmon migration route is heading for more consultation after Fisheries and Oceans Canada announced they present little risk to wild Fraser River salmon stocks, which are in serious decline. Fisheries and Oceans Minister Bernadette Jordan says her department will be consulting with seven First Nations communities — Tla'amin, Klahoose, Homalco, K'ómoks, We Wai Kai (Cape Mudge), Wei Wai Kum (Campbell River) and Kwiakah — that border the narrow channels through the Discovery Islands where the farms are located, with a goal of deciding whether or not to renew their aquaculture licences prior to a December 2020 deadline. Karin Larsen reports. (CBC)

Cost of Site C dam spiralling amid construction challenges, says open letter urging halt to project 
A group of concerned British Columbians is calling on the provincial government to stop construction on the Site C dam project until geotechnical issues are resolved. In a letter addressed to NDP Leader John Horgan, more than a dozen self-described "prominent British Columbians" say the project is years away from completion, "mired" in potentially unfixable problems and is facing potentially "horrendous" cost over-runs. The group includes First Nations leaders, scientists, environmentalists, former provincial and federal cabinet ministers and the past CEOs of the Insurance Corporation of B.C. and BC Hydro. They're asking for the province to appoint an independent team of three experts to assess all known geotechnical problems and determine whether they can be fixed, and at what cost. Andrea Ross reports. (CBC)

Meet the 8 endangered species that call northwest B.C. home
The region is known for its wildlife, but industrial development, pollution and climate change are threatening several animals. Matt Simmons reports. (The Narwhal)

Now, your tug weather--
West Entrance U.S. Waters Strait Of Juan De Fuca-  236 AM PDT Tue Sep 29 2020   
SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY IN EFFECT THROUGH THIS AFTERNOON   
TODAY  E wind 15 to 25 kt. Wind waves 2 to 4 ft. W swell 9 ft  at 13 seconds. 
TONIGHT  E wind 15 to 25 kt becoming SE 10 to 20 kt after  midnight. Wind waves 2 to 4 ft subsiding to 1 to 3 ft after  midnight. W swell 6 ft at 12 seconds.

--
"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.

Salish Sea News: Communicate, Educate, Advocate

Follow on Twitter. 

Salish Sea Communications: Truth Well Told