6/16 Green crab, plankton, public lands drilling, maps, zero-emission jobs, smoke forecasts

Green crab [SeaDoc Society]

 
European Green Crab Carcinus maenas
The European green crab is a small shore crab whose native distribution is in the northeast Atlantic Ocean and Baltic Sea, ranging along coasts from northern Africa to Norway and Iceland. The crab is an effective predator, adept at opening bivalve shells, and has been blamed for harming the soft shell clam industry on the U.S. East Coast. It preys on numerous other organisms, making these crabs potential competitors for the food sources of native fish and bird species. (WA Sea Grant)

Tiny specks bring big hope that ocean is improving after the devastating ‘Blob’
...Plankton — from the Greek word meaning drifter — are the base of the marine food chain. And for the first time since a devastating marine heat wave that peaked through 2014 and 2015, researchers see in the abundance, condition and diversity of plankton recently sampled off the West Coast signs of a change for the better in ocean conditions. While it’s early days for data that is still being analyzed, Jennifer Fisher, a plankton ecologist with Oregon State University, reported seeing an abundance of plankton associated with cold water upwelling, and good fat levels and size in zooplankton, the tiny animals that feed the food web. Lynda Mapes reports. (Seattle Times)

Federal Judge Says Biden Cannot Pause New Leases for Drilling on Public Lands
A federal judge in Louisiana has blocked the Biden administration’s suspension of new oil and gas leases on federal lands and waters, in the first major legal roadblock for President Biden’s quest to cut fossil fuel pollution and conserve public lands. Judge Terry A. Doughty of the United States District Court for the Western District of Louisiana granted a preliminary injunction Tuesday against the administration, saying that the power to pause offshore oil and gas leases “lies solely with Congress” because it was the legislative branch that originally made federal lands and waters available for leasing. Coral Davenport reports. (NY Times)

New interactive map shares Indigenous arts, language and culture throughout B.C.
Familiarizing yourself with the Indigenous culture in B.C. just became a little easier, thanks to a new map created by the First Peoples' Cultural Council.  The online, interactive map divides the province up into Indigenous territories, including some areas where there is overlap, with sections featuring language, art and culture. Courtney Dickson reports. (CBC) And: The Skagit Watershed Council has just released a story map about the Skagit River watershed. It explores how our watershed is unique and how people can celebrate and protect this special place for generations to come.  Please check it out and share it with your friends and neighbors!" (Holli Want/Skagit Watershed Council)

Ten Jobs for Getting to Work on a Zero Emissions Future
...The Tyee asked a dozen experts the question: what are some top jobs we can expect in a net-zero emissions economy in B.C. and by extension Cascadia?... Here are some key jobs for a net-zero carbon emissions future economy that may be around the corner.   Michelle Gamage reports. (The Tyee)

This new five-day smoke forecast could help protect Washingtonians' health
Washington state officials are predicting another bad wildfire season in the Northwest. The state experienced the second-driest spring since 1895. In eastern Washington, that has primed forests and grasslands for wildfires. With those fires comes a lot of smoke. This year, there's a new tool to help you get prepared, a five-day smoke forecast. Kim Malcolm and Andy Hurst report. (KUOW)

Now, your tug weather--
West Entrance U.S. Waters Strait Of Juan De Fuca-  250 AM PDT Wed Jun 16 2021   
TODAY  Light wind becoming NW 5 to 15 kt in the afternoon. Wind  waves less than 1 ft becoming 2 ft or less in the afternoon. W  swell 3 ft at 7 seconds. 
TONIGHT  W wind 5 to 15 kt. Wind waves 2 ft or less. W swell  3 ft at 5 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