1/19 Blackcap, WA green lege, GasLink blocking press, finned sharks, Big Beef Cr., Mowi fish processing

Blackcap [Trade Winds Fruit]

 
Blackcap Rubus leucodermis
This species is native from central British Columbia (possibly into Southeast Alaska) to southern California; to eastern Montana, Utah, Arizona, and New Mexico. The berries were eaten fresh or dried by natives.  They were also used to make a purple dye. Many people, however, love the flavor and use them to make pies, jams, jellies, or syrups. A tea, high in vitamin C can be made from the leaves.  Young shoots can be peeled, eaten raw, or cooked like asparagus. The brambles rank at the very top of summer foods for wildlife, especially birds: grouse, pigeons, quail, grosbeaks, jays, robins, thrushes, towhees, waxwings, sparrows, to name just a few.  The berries are also popular with raccoons, opossums, skunks, foxes, squirrels, chipmunks and other rodents. (Native Plants of the Pacific NW)

Bill to ramp up recycling a top priority for green coalition in 2022 Washington state legislative session
Senate Bill 5697, which seeks to improve Washington’s waste and recycling systems, would shift the burden of curbside recycling costs from consumers to packaging producers and would also would require all packaging and paper products sold in Washington to be designed for reuse, recycling or composting by 2031... Senate Bill 5665, called the "Lorraine Loomis Act" seeks to help restore salmon runs by improving tree shade that can improve cooling around streams where the fish spawn and may rear and would also establish a conservation grant program for stream-side zones. Hal Bernton reports. (Seattle Times)

Coastal GasLink Attempts to Block Reporters from Wet’suwet’en Territory
Months after the arrests of two journalists, the firm’s security doesn’t seem to understand injunction terms and press freedoms. Amanda Follett Hosgood writes. (The Tyee)

B.C. company fined $75,000 for importing fins of protected sharks
The federal government says an herbal medicine company has pleaded guilty in provincial court in Vancouver to a charge of unlawfully importing a protected shark species without a permit. Environment and Climate Change Canada said in a news release that Hang Hing Herbal Medicine Ltd. was fined $75,000 for importing an endangered species without a permit. (Canadian Press)

Hood Canal Salmon Enhancement Group adds 50 acres to protected estuary land at Big Beef Creek
Fifty more acres of land along Big Beef Creek has been secured by the Hood Canal Salmon Enhancement Group for conservation purposes, the final piece of a 302-acre restoration effort of critical salmon habitat in the Hood Canal watershed. The land, if not secured for conservation, would likely fall into the hands of developers. Jessie Darland reports. (Kitsap Sun)

Fish processor says it's closing Surrey plant after federal decision to phase out salmon farms
One of the largest farmed salmon producers operating in British Columbia says it's permanently closing its processing plant in Surrey, B.C., because of a federal government decision to phase out some fish farms. Mowi Canada West says in a news release the plant closure is due to the government's cancellation of salmon farming licences in the Discovery Islands between northern Vancouver Island and the mainland. The plant employed 80 people and was operational for four years. (Canadian Press)

Now, your tug weather--
West Entrance U.S. Waters Strait Of Juan De Fuca-  208 AM PST Wed Jan 19 2022   
TODAY  SE wind 5 to 15 kt. Wind waves 2 ft or less. W swell 3  ft at 12 seconds. A slight chance of showers in the morning then a  chance of rain in the afternoon. 
TONIGHT  SE wind 5 to 15 kt becoming 10 to 20 kt after  midnight. Wind waves 1 to 3 ft. W swell 3 ft at 11 seconds. Rain.

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