3/31 Western tanager, Tokitae return, GasLink arrests, MV Schiedyk cleanup, murder hornets, swimming wolf, shared strategy

 

Western tanager

Western tanager Piranga ludoviciana
A clear look at a male Western Tanager is like looking at a flame: an orange-red head, brilliant yellow body, and coal-black wings, back and tail. Females and immatures are a somewhat dimmer yellow-green and blackish. These birds live in open woods all over the West, particularly among evergreens, where they often stay hidden in the canopy. (All About Birds)

Miami Seaquarium announces new effort to return last captive Puget Sound orca
The new leaders of the Miami Seaquarium announced Thursday an effort to release orca Tokitae, also known as Lolita, to her home waters in the Pacific Northwest after she has lived in a small tank for more than five decades. The company said in a statement it is working toward relocating the orca, a likely member of the L pod of the endangered southern residents, in the next 18 to 24 months. Details of Tokitae's return home remain sparse, but the Miami Seaquarium has secured financial support from Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay. Isabella Breda reports. (Seattle Times)

RCMP arrest five land defenders on Wet’suwet’en territory as Coastal GasLink construction continues
Police enforcement of a search warrant for theft under $5,000 led to five arrests for obstruction, including the arrest of the daughter of a Wet’suwet’en Hereditary Chief.  Matt Simmons reports. (The Narwhal)

After 55 Years, B.C. Cleans Up the Wreck of the MV Schiedyk
More than half a century after the cargo ship MV Schiedyk sank on Canada’s west coast, 21st century technology and teamwork with First Nations helped to remove an oily hazard from the environment. (Marine Executive)

Do you want a job murdering ‘murder hornets’? Washington state is hiring
The state Department of Agriculture is looking to hire a giant hornet and wood boring insect trapper. Translation: Sherlock Holmes the heck out of the so-called “murder hornet” and terminate with extreme prejudice. Murder hornet is the name the news media has given to the invasive northern giant hornet from Japan that first appeared in Washington in 2019. Craig Sailor reports. (Tacoma News Tribune)

Wolf caught swimming off remote part of Vancouver Island
A B.C. woman was on a boat at the right time and managed to see a wolf swimming near ­Kyuquot Sound off the coast of Vancouver Island. Alanna Kelly reports. (Times Colonist)

Opinion: Protect Salish Sea with shared strategy between B.C. and WA
On March 8, the High Seas Treaty was agreed upon and signed by United Nations member nations, after nearly 20 years of negotiation. The historic treaty will provide a legal platform for establishing large areas of the high seas as marine protected areas. The intention is to gain stronger protection for marine life and biodiversity for the planet beyond national jurisdictions. This phenomenal agreement gives rise to the question: Can we also reach such an agreement between Canada and the United States to protect marine life and biodiversity of the Salish Sea? Given our history, it would seem more than achievable. Christianne Wilhelmson and Ginny Broadhurst write. (Seattle Times)

Salish Sea News Week in Review 3/31/23: César Chávez Friday, kelp forests, bad BNSF, orca prey, herring spawn, BC mining, Tokitae return.

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Now, your weekend tug weather--
West Entrance U.S. Waters Strait Of Juan De Fuca-  228 AM PDT Fri Mar 31 2023   
SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY IN EFFECT THROUGH THIS EVENING   
TODAY  S wind 10 to 20 kt rising to 15 to 25 kt in the  afternoon. Wind waves 2 to 4 ft. W swell 3 ft at 7 seconds. Rain. 
TONIGHT  W wind 15 to 25 kt easing to 5 to 15 kt after  midnight. Wind waves 1 to 3 ft. W swell 6 ft at 10 seconds. Rain. 
SAT  W wind 5 to 15 kt becoming 10 to 20 kt in the afternoon.  Wind waves 1 to 3 ft. W swell 5 ft at 7 seconds and N 3 ft at  8 seconds building to 8 ft at 9 seconds in the afternoon. Rain. 
SAT NIGHT  SW wind 10 to 20 kt becoming 5 to 15 kt after  midnight. Wind waves 1 to 3 ft. W swell 8 ft at 10 seconds. 
SUN  S wind to 10 kt. Wind waves 1 ft or less. W swell 6 ft at  11 seconds.

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