12/14 Purple sponge, BC fish farms, Link Is, winter salmon and orcas, hot streams, Deception Pass, bird count, SRKW rights

Purple encrusting sponge [Christina Maschkat]

Purple encrusting sponge Haliclona permollis
This sponge is a common species in rocky intertidal areas, to a depth of 6 m. It is often found in tide pools or rocky crevice. Its range extends from southern Alaska to southern California. As an intertidal sponge, this species is one of the few Northwest sponges that is readily seen by beachcombers. (Biodiversity of the Central Coast)

Documents raise concerns feds backing off commitment to phase out fish farms in B.C. by 2025
Critics say they fear an ongoing public consultation about open-net pen fish farms has a ‘foregone conclusion’ to leave fish farms in the water, to the detriment of wild salmon. Stephanie Wood reports. (The Narwhal)  Also see: Tacoutche Tesse, the Northwest’s great ghost river — Part 3: Saving wild salmon versus the net pen industry. Eric Scigliano reports. (Salish Current, 12/9/22)

Seattle woman donates island near Gabriola as nature reserve
Family of the late Betty Swift hopes Link Island becomes a location for climate-change research. Darron Koster reports. (Times Colonist)
 
As winter approaches, salmon and orcas are still a commanding presence
Chris Dunagan writes: "...At the time of the last (November 21) report, the Puget Sound region had gone through a 13-day dry spell, which followed a period of brief and limited precipitation. Low stream flows were making it tough for chum and coho salmon to go upstream when they should have been at their peak of spawning. Many unfortunate fish were dying before they could spawn, and others were spawning in the lower sections of streams, practically on top of one other. The arrival of rain on Nov. 22 ...provided a much-needed boost in streamflow throughout the region. For many salmon, it was “too little too late,” according to Jon Oleyar, a biologist for the Suquamish Tribe who surveys the streams of East Kitsap County. For other salmon, however, the rains opened the door to a major migration into the streams." (Puget Sound Institute)

Climate change could make WA streams too hot for fish, report shows
A new report prepared for the state Department of Ecology suggests climate change will continue to alter Washington’s rivers, potentially making some watersheds uninhabitable for salmon and steelhead by the end of the century. The report led by Washington State University researcher Jonathan Yoder and University of Washington researcher Crystal Raymond projects widespread increases in river flows in the winter, declines in the summer and rising stream temperatures. Isabella Breda reports. (Seattle Times)

Deception Pass State Park gains 78 acres
Washington’s most-visited state park acquired the new parcel due to a collaboration between state and county agencies, Skagit Land Trust and Fidalgo Island community members. The parcel is located on the north side of Deception Pass, close to the popular Tersi Trail and to Rosario Beach, and bordering the current state park. Emma Fletcher-Frazer reports. (Skagit Valley Herald)

Christmas Bird Count starts this weekend
The bird count will look for all the usual suspects when it comes to birds this time of year, but rare and blown-off-course birds are always a treat to spot. Darron Kloster reports. (Times Colonist)

Gig Harbor proclaims support for legal recognition of rights of Southern Resident Orca; becomes second city in Washington to do so
News Release: Gig Harbor, WA (December 13th, 2022)—Yesterday evening, Gig Harbor’s Mayor Tracie Markley signed a Proclamation describing the City of Gig Harbor’s support for action by local, state, federal and tribal governments that secure and effectuate the inherent rights of the Southern Resident Orcas. This Proclamation comes a week after the City of Port Townsend became the first city in Washington State to do so. (Orcasonian)

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Now, your tug weather--
West Entrance U.S. Waters Strait Of Juan De Fuca-  223 AM PST Wed Dec 14 2022   
TODAY  E wind 5 to 15 kt. Wind waves 2 ft or less. W swell 4 ft  at 9 seconds. 
TONIGHT  E wind to 10 kt becoming 5 to 15 kt after midnight.  Wind waves 2 ft or less. W swell 5 ft at 12 seconds.

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