2/22 Snowdrops, horseshoe crab, toxic chemicals, BC natural disasters, octopus farms, Edmund C. Fitzhugh

Snowdrops

Snowdrop Galanthus
Galanthus is a small genus of approximately 20 species of bulbous perennial herbaceous plants in the family Amaryllidaceae. The plants have two linear leaves and a single small white drooping bell-shaped flower with six petal-like tepals in two circles. The smaller inner petals have green markings. Wikipedia

B.C. diver finds horseshoe crab in False Creek
A scuba diver cleaning part of the sea floor in False Creek came across an animal that an expert says is a long way from home. The unusual find has been identified as a horseshoe crab, native to the Atlantic Ocean along the North American coastline. Brieanna Charlebois reports. (Canadian Press)

How widespread are these toxic chemicals? They’re everywhere.
While concern about PFAS compounds, also known as “forever chemicals” because they break down very slowly, has largely focused on people, the pollutants have also been detected in wildlife. Now, a review of research made public Wednesday by the Environmental Working Group, a nonprofit advocacy organization that focuses on environmental safety, shows PFAS turning up in hundreds of wild animal species around the world. Catrin Einhorn reports. (NY Times)  See: State scores $33 million to fight 'forever chemicals'  Funds will help combat PFAS in Washington drinking water. Julia Lerner reports. (CDN)

B.C. adds $180M to help prepare for natural disasters
Premier David Eby says he’s introducing more supports to better prepare British Columbia communities for natural disasters related to climate change before they happen. The New Democrat government will almost double the current funding of its Community Emergency Preparedness Fund, adding $180 million to support projects that help communities and First Nations prepare for and mitigate the effects of natural disasters, he said. Dirk Meissner reports. (Canadian Press)

As Hawaii takes action against octopus farm, WA looks to impose its own ban
The owner of a controversial octopus “farm” on Hawaii’s Big Island was ordered to “cease and desist” nonpermitted operations in January after a clamor over the small outfit, which charges visitors $60 for the opportunity to touch a wild-caught day octopus....Representative Strom Peterson, a legislator in Washington state, D-Edmonds, has introduced legislation that would ban octopus farming. Susanne Rust reports. (LA Times)

Who was Edmund C. Fitzhugh?
"A thoroughly complex and weird man," influential in early Washington Territory politics and the development of industry around Bellingham Bay, is the subject of a new book. Candace Wellman provides a portrait of a complex man who put Bellingham Bay on the economic and political map. (Salish Current)

Have you read the Salish Current?
Independent, fact based news for Whatcom, San Juan and Skagit counties. Free to read, free from ads. Catch the Current here.

Now, your tug weather--
West Entrance U.S. Waters Strait Of Juan De Fuca-  256 AM PST Wed Feb 22 2023   
SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY IN EFFECT THROUGH LATE TONIGHT 
GALE WARNING IN EFFECT FROM LATE TONIGHT THROUGH LATE THURSDAY  NIGHT   
TODAY  NE wind 20 to 30 kt easing to 15 to 25 kt in the  afternoon. Wind waves 3 to 5 ft. W swell 16 ft at 14 seconds. A  chance of snow. 
TONIGHT  NE wind 15 to 25 kt rising to 25 to 35 kt after  midnight. Combined seas 11 to 13 ft with a dominant period of  13 seconds. A chance of snow.

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