1/20 Black cod, blackcaps, Upper Skagit watershed, BC old growth, Springer, Corexit, methane, Omicron sewage, dead pigs

Black cod [D.R. Robertson [UC SD]

Black Cod Anoplopoma fimbria
Black cod, also known as sablefish or butterfish due to its velvety texture, which results from a rich content of healthy oils and omega-3 fatty acids. Most Black cod is shipped to Japan, where their seafood loving culture snaps it up. It’s becoming more prevalent here, as Japanese chefs have introduced it to Americans, most often as Miso-Glazed Black Cod or simmered in a Japanese style broth. (Real Good Fish)

Regarding blackcaps, Don Norman writes: "Blackcap grows in more well drained sunny locations than the small yummy more running native blackberry or the more shade tolerant thimbleberry.  It has light colored canes (ie the leuco in the Latin) that will bend over and will root from the tips.  This will make new plants from the canes, so bend them over."

Mining company drops rights to Upper Skagit watershed in key preservation step
The British Columbia government has announced the surrender of mining rights at the headwaters of the Skagit River, following yearslong controversy over protection of one of the region’s premier salmon rivers. Under an agreement announced Wednesday by the office of the B.C. premier, Imperial Metals will return to the province of B.C. all of its mining and related rights within a more than 14,000-acre area for a $24 million Canadian buyout. Lynda Mapes reports. (Seattle Times) See also: Canada: No more mining threat for Skagit River headwaters  Kimberly Cauvel reports. (Skagit Valley Herald)

Deal reached between B.C. First Nations and forestry company to defer old-growth logging
Logging will be temporarily deferred in approximately 2,500 hectares of old-growth forest following an agreement between four Vancouver Island First Nations and a forestry company.The Nanwakolas Council, which represents four First Nations, and Western Forest Products have agreed to defer old-growth logging in a section of forest north of Campbell River, for two years. (CBC)

An orphaned orca brought a community together — and still inspires 20 years after her rescue
Twenty years ago this month, a baby orca was discovered near Seattle. She was lost and alone, unhealthy and lingering dangerously close to the Vashon Island ferry dock. Six months later, a community effort successfully returned her to her family off Vancouver Island, Canada. This is the story of the orphaned orca we now know as Springer. She’s still thriving today and her rescue remains the only successful orca rehabilitation in history. Bellamy Pailthorp reports. (KNKX)

Washington Gov. Inslee declares European green crab emergency
Washington Governor Jay Inslee has authorized emergency actions to combat an infestation of European green crabs. The crab is considered one of the world’s most destructive invasive species. Inslee says the need to protect local shellfish and ecosystems from the crabs is too urgent to wait for the legislature to approve new funding. John Ryan reports. (KUOW)

Rally in Seattle to Focus on Keeping Toxic Oil Dispersants Out of Salish Sea
Commercial fishermen, environmentalists and Native American entities concerned about toxics in the Salish Sea plan to rally outside the Gates Foundation in Seattle at noon on Thursday, Jan. 20, to voice concerns over the use of Corexit dispersants for oil spill response. Their goal, according to rally co-organizer Riki Ott, is to encourage the manufacturer, Nalco, to stop producing these dispersants and instead use the ingredients as feed stock for other products. (Fisherman's News)

Bubbles of methane rising from seafloor in Puget Sound
The release of methane, a powerful greenhouse gas responsible for almost a quarter of global warming, is being studied around the world, from Arctic wetlands to livestock feedlots. A University of Washington team has discovered a source much closer to home: 349 plumes of methane gas bubbling up from the seafloor in Puget Sound, which holds more water than any other U.S. estuary. The columns of bubbles are especially pronounced off Alki Point in West Seattle and near the ferry terminal in Kingston, Washington, according to a study in the January issue of Geochemistry, Geophysics, Geosystems. Hannah Hickey reports. (UW News)

In Sewage, Clues to Omicron’s Surge
Tracking the virus in wastewater is helping some cities and hospitals respond to the most recent wave of the coronavirus, but a more coordinated national effort is needed, experts say. Emily Anthes and Sabrina Imbler report. (NY Times)

Thousands of pigs that drowned on B.C. farm no threat to environment
The pigs were among approximately 600,000 animals that died on Sumas Prairie in late November. Net Zero Waste took the carcasses at the request of the B.C. Agriculture Ministry and City of Abbotsford’s emergency operations centre, which were unable to find any rendering facilities or landfills that would accept the dead animals as cleanup efforts began. Joe Fries reports. (Penticton Herald)

Now, your tug weather--
West Entrance U.S. Waters Strait Of Juan De Fuca  Last Update: 236 AM PST Thu Jan 20 2022
Small Craft Advisory
Today: W wind 15 to 25 kt. Wind waves 2 to 4 ft. W swell 7 ft at 12 seconds. A chance of rain.
Tonight: W wind 10 to 20 kt becoming 5 to 15 kt after midnight. Wind waves 1 to 3 ft. W swell 9 ft at 11 seconds. A chance of rain in the evening.

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