6/18 Evergreen huckleberry, shellfish killer, green crabs, McCormick Cr, old growth protesters, white raven, bad crabber, week in review

Evergreen huckleberry [Native Plants PNW]

 
Evergreen Huckleberry Vaccinium ovatum (Say)
Evergreen Huckleberry is also called California Huckleberry, Evergreen Blueberry or Box Blueberry.  Ovatum refers to its oval-shaped leaves. Evergreen Huckleberry is found on the west side of the Cascade Mountains from British Columbia to California.  Along the coast of California, it is common to the redwoods but sporadic further south. (Native Plants PNW)

Researchers identify shellfish-killing phytoplankton behind massive summer die-offs in Puget Sound
In July of 2018 and 2019, large numbers of oysters, cockles and clams died on beaches all around Puget Sound. No one knew why. It was a particularly bad couple of years, but summer mortality events with mass die-offs of shellfish happen regularly. They’ve been recorded by researchers in western Washington as far back as the 1930s. The source has remained a mystery. Now, scientists have pinpointed the cause: two species of toxic algae that don’t threaten people much — but can wreak havoc on the ecosystem. Beginning to figure out what’s killing so many shellfish is a breakthrough for growers and communities who live near the beaches. Bellamy Pailthorp reports. (KNKX)

Live invasive crabs that are big eaters found in this Whatcom harbor for the first time
More traps will be set for invasive European green crabs after four were found in Squalicum Harbor in June, the Port of Bellingham said. The findings marked the first time that live green crabs have been discovered in the harbor in Bellingham, according to Mike Hogan, spokesman for the Port of Bellingham. Kie Relyea reports. (Bellingham Herald)

Culvert Crackdown
Northeast of Bellingham, Washington, in quiet, open farmlands, a private road crosses over McCormick Creek, a small tributary of Squalicum Creek, surrounded by forest. Project manager Darrell Gray at the Nooksack Salmon Enhancement Association (NSEA) looks out at the tranquil scene from the bridge, admiring a job well done. Underneath his feet lie the fruits of his labor: a newly freed stream, now devoid of an impassable barrier beneath the bridge. Danny Graves reports. (The Planet)

Six more old-growth logging protesters arrested on Vancouver Island
Mounties say 244 protesters have been arrested since enforcement of the court injunction began. Mike Raptis reports. (Vancouver Sun)

Rare blue-eyed, white raven fights for survival in Vancouver Island wildlife recovery centre
A rare juvenile white raven with blue eyes found on the ground near Errington, B.C., about three weeks ago is now being treated in a local wildlife recovery centre. The starved young raven couldn't fly and needed antibiotics for infected wounds on its feet, according to caregivers. Yvette Brend reports. (CBC)

Meet the delicious purple sea creature destroying Pacific kelp forests
Hundreds of millions of brainless purple sea creatures are attacking the delicate ecosystem of the West Coast. Purple sea urchin population is up 10,000% in recent years, and they pose a serious risk to kelp forests. They’re also delicious. Francisca Benitez reports. (OPB)

B.C. man fined $7,500, slapped with 5-year ban, for illegal crabbing
A B.C. man has been fined $7,500 and slapped with a five-year fishing ban after officials found 89 crabs in his boat at White Rock's Elgin Park Marina in 2018. The possession limit for recreational crabbers is four. Laird Goddyn was found guilty of Fisheries Act violations in provincial court in Surrey last month and barred from holding tidal and non-tidal fishing licences. Karin Larsen reports. (CBC)

Salish Sea News Week in Review 6/18/21: Go Fish Day, AK roadless rule, Belfair mines, BC old growth, white-tailed ptarmigan, plankton, public lands drilling, Frognal, Juneteenth, shellfish killer

Now, your weekend tug weather--
West Entrance U.S. Waters Strait Of Juan De Fuca-  248 AM PDT Fri Jun 18 2021   
TODAY  W wind 5 to 15 kt becoming 10 to 20 kt in the afternoon.  Wind waves 2 to 4 ft. W swell 3 ft at 7 seconds. 
TONIGHT  W wind 10 to 20 kt. Wind waves 2 to 4 ft. SW swell  2 ft at 12 seconds building to W 4 ft at 6 seconds after  midnight. 
SAT  W wind 5 to 15 kt becoming to 10 kt in the afternoon. Wind  waves 1 to 3 ft. W swell 4 ft at 10 seconds. 
SAT NIGHT  W wind 5 to 15 kt becoming NW to 10 kt after  midnight. Wind waves 2 ft or less. W swell 4 ft at 8 seconds. 
SUN  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 5 ft at 8 seconds.

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