12/16 Swan, Ken Balcomb, salmon $s, fish pen ban, Skagit avian flu, week in review

 
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Trumpeter swan [Joseph W. Higbee]

Trumpeter swan Cygnus buccinator
Trumpeter swans that migrate to Washington originate from forested regions of Alaska and Canada’s western Yukon and northern British Columbia for the winter. They are the heaviest living bird in North America, with wingspans that can exceed 10-feet. They breed in shallow ponds, lakes, wetlands and rivers, with the largest numbers of breeding pairs in Alaska. (WDFW)

Ken Balcomb, chronicler of the southern resident orcas, dies at 82
The champion of the southern residents and leader in efforts to save them from extinction, Ken Balcomb died Thursday at 82 of prostate cancer...Balcomb for more than four decades closely observed these J, K, and L pods that frequent Puget Sound. His orca survey, begun in 1976, became the standard for tracking the southern residents, based on a photographic record of the unique markings, or saddle patches, on each of the whales. Lynda Mapes and Isabella Breda report. (Seattle Times)

Feds announce nearly $40M for dam removal, other projects to help salmon in WA
Projects to help fish navigate Washington’s rivers could get a boost of nearly $40 million from the federal government. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration on Wednesday announced $105 million for 36 new fish passage projects across the U.S., including money for culvert and dam removal projects, and studies that would aim to alleviate barriers to fish passage in the Olympic Peninsula, Puget Sound region, Yakima basin and Columbia River watershed. Isabella Breda reports. (Seattle Times)

Jameston Tribe to fight Department of Natural Resources’ ruling
The Jamestown S’Klallam Tribe is planning to file a legal complaint against the state Department of Natural Resources over the recent decision to end net pen aquaculture in state-owned waters, according to tribal Chairman/CEO W. Ron Allen. Peter Segall reports. (Peninsula Daily News)

Birds from Skagit Wildlife Area test positive for avian flu
Dead wild birds found in the Skagit Wildlife Area have tested positive for the H5N1 strain of avian flu, said a state Department of Fish and Wildlife official. Fish and Wildlife said in an email last week that dead birds in the area had likely been infected with avian flu, and now the positive tests confirm that. (Skagit Valley Herald)

Salish Sea News Week in Review 12/16/22: Margaret Mead, 'forever chemicals,' slow ships, Wild Olympics, fish farm phase out, Link Is, computer models, net pen suit, humpbacks, Ken Balcomb

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Now, your weekend tug weather--
West Entrance U.S. Waters Strait Of Juan De Fuca-  239 AM PST Fri Dec 16 2022   
TODAY  SE wind to 10 kt in the morning becoming light. Wind  waves 1 ft or less. W swell 3 ft at 11 seconds. 
TONIGHT  Light wind. Wind waves less than 1 ft. W swell 3 ft at  13 seconds. 
SAT  W wind to 10 kt. Wind waves 1 ft or less. W swell 4 ft at  9 seconds. A slight chance of rain. 
SAT NIGHT  W wind to 10 kt in the evening becoming light. Wind  waves 1 ft or less. W swell 5 ft at 8 seconds. 
SUN  E wind 5 to 15 kt. Wind waves 2 ft or less. W swell 4 ft  at 10 seconds.

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