9/29 Shell-boring worm, Fairy Cr protest, TMX treetop camp, ivory-billed woodpecker extinction, boatyard pollution, desalination

Shell-boring worm in oyster shell
(Julieta Martinelli, UW)

Shell-boring worm Polydora websteri
Polydora websteri is most likely not native to the Pacific Northwest and is found all over the world. The global distribution of this parasite is likely due to accidental spread by humans from moving bivalves around the globe for decades or longer. UW researchers have recently found P. websteri (along with other related shell-boring worms) in Pacific oysters in Oakland Bay and Totten Inlet. They want to find out how widespread P. websteri and its friends are in Puget Sound, how long the worms have been here, and how humans can help minimize negative consequences to the area's prized shellfish industry.  (Ecology's Critter of the Month)

'Substantial infringement of civil liberties' cited as court ends injunction against Fairy Creek protests
A British Columbia Supreme Court judge has denied an application to extend an injunction against old-growth logging blockades on southern Vancouver Island, writing that the actions of RCMP officers have put the court's reputation at risk. Justice Douglas Thompson handed down his reasons for judgment on Tuesday, writing that "it is not just and equitable in all the circumstances of the case" to grant Teal Cedar Products Ltd.'s request for an extended injunction order against protests blocking the forestry company's access to its tenure in the Fairy Creek watershed area north of Port Renfrew. Bethany Lindsay reports. (CBC)

Treetop camp protesting Trans Mountain pipeline dismantled
A treetop camp standing in the way of a multi-billion dollar pipeline expansion project has been dismantled following a court ordered injunction against demonstrators. Protesters against the federally-owned Trans Mountain pipeline expansion project watched as contractors accompanied by police sawed away a treehouse camp in the Brunette River Conservation Area that had been occupied since December of last year. Jon Hernandez reports. (CBC)

US says ivory-billed woodpecker, 22 other species extinct
Death’s come knocking a last time for the splendid ivory-billed woodpecker and 22 more birds, fish and other species: The U.S. government is declaring them extinct. It’s a rare move for wildlife officials to give up hope on a plant or animal, but government scientists say they’ve exhausted efforts to find these 23. And they warn climate change, on top of other pressures, could make such disappearances more common as a warming planet adds to the dangers facing imperiled plants and wildlife. Matthew Brown reports. (Associated Press)

Pollution is washing from boatyards into Puget Sound. Who’s responsible?
For about a decade, Washington has been attempting to figure out how to best regulate boatyards and their pollution. It’s trickier than it sounds — while stricter rules improve water quality and benefit marine life, they can also put boatyards out of business, since they have to pay for consulting and equipment, local industry members say. Ysabelle Kempe reports. (Bellingham Herald)

Desalination can make saltwater drinkable — but it won’t solve the U.S. water crisis
The water in the ocean is a tempting resource. Removing salt comes with environmental and economic costs, though. Michael Birnbaum reports. (Washington Post)

Now, your tug weather--
West Entrance U.S. Waters Strait Of Juan De Fuca-  302 AM PDT Wed Sep 29 2021   
SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY IN EFFECT THROUGH LATE TONIGHT   
TODAY  SE wind 15 to 25 kt easing to 10 to 20 kt in the  afternoon. Wind waves 2 to 4 ft. W swell 8 ft at 10 seconds. Rain  in the morning then a chance of rain in the afternoon. 
TONIGHT  E wind 10 to 20 kt becoming SE 15 to 25 kt after  midnight. Wind waves 2 to 4 ft. SW swell 7 ft at 10 seconds. A  chance of rain in the evening then rain after midnight.

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