4/20 Gumweed, Deepwater Horizon, First Nations fishing, Haaland revokes Trump, travel bans, fish out of water

Gumweed [Mary Jo Adams]

Gumweed  Grindelia integrifolia
Grindelia integrifolia belongs to the sunflower family.  These shrub-like plants grow to 2-1/2 feet in height and are laden with bright yellow sunflower-like blooms that reach a diameter of 2-1/2 inches.    Immature flower heads have a bur-like appearance and exude a white sticky substance.  This species blooms from June until November.  Other common names for this plant are Puget Sound gumweed, resinweed, gum plant, and entire leaved gumweed. (Mary Jo Adams/Sound Water Stewards)

What was the Deepwater Horizon disaster?
On April 20, 2010, the Deepwater Horizon oil rig in the Gulf of Mexico exploded, killing 11 people. Two days later, the rig capsized, and the damaged pipe below the rig began spewing oil into the surrounding water. Oil continued to spill from the pipe for 87 days, releasing an estimated 377,514 metric tonnes into the Gulf. Jen Monnier reports. (LiveScience)

First Nations on Vancouver Island celebrate B.C. Court of Appeal fisheries ruling
The British Columbia Court of Appeal says it expects Canada to remedy problems in commercial fishery regulations arising from a legal battle that was first launched in 2003 by a group of Vancouver Island First Nations. Justice Harvey Groberman wrote in a decision released Monday that while there is no demonstrated need to make mandatory orders, they would "remain available if Canada does not act diligently to remedy the problems." A three-judge panel of the Appeal Court unanimously upheld parts of an April 2018 ruling by the B.C. Supreme Court that found Canada's regulation and management of regular commercial fisheries unjustifiably infringed on the First Nations' rights to harvest and sell fish. In that judgment, Justice Mary Humphries gave Ottawa one year to offer the plaintiffs opportunities to exercise their rights to harvest and sell salmon, groundfish, crab and prawn in a manner that remedied those infringements. (Canadian Press)

Interior head Haaland revokes Trump-era orders on energy
Interior Secretary Deb Haaland on Friday revoked a series of Trump administration orders that promoted fossil fuel development on public lands and waters, and issued a separate directive that prioritizes climate change in agency decisions. Matthew Daly reports. (Associated Press)

BC Changes COVID Course: Travel Bans and Vaccine for Those Over 40 
British Columbia will expand AstraZeneca vaccine eligibility to people over 40, extend current “circuit-breaker” restrictions through the May long weekend, and impose travel restrictions as COVID-19 cases begin to stretch hospitals to their limits. Moira Wyton reports. (The Tyee)  State Department To Issue Travel Warnings Amid 'Unprecedented' COVID-19 Risks The U.S. State Department on Monday announced plans to expand travel advisories, urging U.S. citizens to stay home as the COVID-19 pandemic continues to pose "unprecedented risks" around the globe. Vanessa Romo reports. (NPR)

What To Do with Fish When the River Runs Dry
When people come to the aid of stranded fish, are the salvaged truly saved? Laura Trethewey reports. (Hakai Magazine)

Now, your tug weather--
West Entrance U.S. Waters Strait Of Juan De Fuca-  245 AM PDT Tue Apr 20 2021   
TODAY  W wind to 10 kt becoming NW in the afternoon. Wind waves  1 ft or less. W swell 5 ft at 12 seconds. 
TONIGHT  W wind 5 to 15 kt becoming SW to 10 kt after midnight.  Wind waves 2 ft or less. W swell 6 ft at 11 seconds.

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