5/26 Carp, Similk Bay, Gathering of Eagles, pond turtles, microplastics, coast tsunami, BC Ferries, prism lights, drone fishing

Asian carp

Asian carp
The four types of invasive carp currently found in the U.S.--bighead carp, black carp, grass carp, and silver carp-- are collectively known as Asian carp and were imported into the country for use in aquaculture ponds. Through flooding and accidental releases, they found their way into the Mississippi River system which is like a giant freshwater highway that has given invasive Asian carp access to many of the country’s rivers and streams. Asian carp are fast-growing and prolific feeders that out-compete native fish and leave a trail of environmental destruction in their wake.

Salmon habitat project will also bring improvements to county road
An upcoming salmon habitat restoration project will also mean improvements for an important Skagit County road. By 2024, the Skagit River System Cooperative hopes to begin restoration of about 17 acres of crucial chinook salmon habitat along Similk Bay south of the Swinomish Golf Links. The work will turn the land that is owned by the Swinomish Indian Tribal Community into what is known as a pocket estuary. Brandon Stone reports. (Skagit Valley Herald)

Canoe encampment highlights Earth, sky, water threats
The Esqaplh etse Kwelengsen (Gathering of Eagles) canoe encampment is traveling the Salish Sea bringing attention to threats from pipelines, tankers and extractive fossil fuel industries. Nancy DeVaux reports. (Salish Current)

Nearly extinct 30 years ago, Washington’s western pond turtles are slowly recovering
Only two species of turtles in Washington are native. And one of those, the western pond turtle, nearly went extinct here in the 1990s. 30 years ago, the state began collaborating with partners at the Woodland Park Zoo to bring them back. Bellamy Pailthorp reports. (KNKX)

Microplastics are being found in multiple Salish Sea species
Behind closed doors, in restricted access, is a research lab where Dr. Lyda Harris measures levels of microplastics in samples from the Salish Sea. Harris samples the water every 2 weeks, filtering 100 liters down to the man made material left behind. Kelly Koopmans reports. (KOMO)

How politics have stalled tsunami prep efforts on the WA coast
It's not a matter of if but when the tsunami comes. Whether Washington is prepared depends a lot on the will of voters. Eric Scigliano reports. (Crosscut)

B.C. Ferries marks record vehicle numbers, offers recruiting incentives for trained workers
B.C. Ferries saw no service disruptions and carried a record number of vehicles on the Victoria Day weekend as it continues a hiring spree, offering a cash incentive of up to $10,000 for its employees to find trained staff who stick around. A new hire in a desired ­category can also earn up to $10,000 if they stay for at least one year. And money is being offered to retirees as well. Carla Wilson reports. (Times Colonist)

Prism Lights
David B. Williams writes in Street Smart Naturalist: "On June 6, 1889, downtown Seattle burned to the ground. In response, the Seattle City Council passed new legislation regarding building codes, including Ordinance 2833, in which Section 22 addressed sidewalks. 'Openings in such walk, for the admission of light or coal, shall be covered with prismatic lights in iron frames.'...Prism lights are still abundant in downtown Seattle, most abundantly in the Pioneer Square area." (Street Smart Naturalist)

Drone Fishers Are in the Hot Seat
The giant trevally, a stubborn and powerful apex predator, is one of Hawai‘i’s most coveted game fish. Hiding out in coral reefs and caves, the fish is tough to see when fishing from shore. But Brandon Barques, a 35-year-old construction worker in Honolulu, knows how to find it. Watching through the video feed streaming to his phone, Barques sends a flying drone carrying a fishing line out over the surf, searching for large sandy canals and depressions in the seafloor. When he finds the right spot, he triggers the drone to drop the line. Then he calls the drone back—and waits for a bite. Abe Musselman reports. (Hakai Magazine)

Now, your tug weather--
West Entrance U.S. Waters Strait Of Juan De Fuca-  250 AM PDT Thu May 26 2022   
TODAY  Light wind. Wind waves less than 1 ft. W swell 5 ft at  8 seconds. A chance of rain in the morning then rain likely in  the afternoon. 
TONIGHT  NE wind to 10 kt becoming S 10 to 20 kt after  midnight. Wind waves 1 ft or less building to 1 to 3 ft after  midnight. W swell 2 ft at 8 seconds. Rain in the evening then a  chance of rain after midnight.

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