7/26 Red coralline algae, 'rights of nature,' Cherry Pt herring, BC spotted owl, wastewater, BC Ferries, speaking for trees

Red coralline algae
[Monterey Bay Aquarium]

Red coralline algae Corallinales
Red coralline algae can be found in most marine habitats. Articulated corallines grow mostly in low intertidal and subtidal coastal areas. Crustose corallines have been found in depths up to 500 feet (152 m). Since these algae deposit calcium carbonate (limestone) in most of their cell walls, red corallines have the appearance and rough texture of coral. Grazing on these calcified algae would be like eating marble, so most hungry herbivores feed elsewhere. (Monterey Bay Aquarium)

The dynamics of the ‘rights of nature’ issue
The “rights of nature” issue is a dynamic balance among the rights of voiceless forms of life, the idea of “ownership,” the common welfare, and human happiness in nature and grief for its loss. Bill Appel writes. (Salish Current)

Missing Cherry Point herring spawn is personal to local biologist
Retired fisheries biologist Mike MacKay, 70, began documenting herring populations and spawning around Cherry Point for Lummi Nation Natural Resources in 1977, first as a passenger in a small Cessna-style plane and later as a pilot. This year, for the first time, MacKay didn’t see any herring spawn in the waters of the Cherry Point Aquatic Reserve in April and May. Julia Lerner reports. (CDN)

B.C. to feds: don’t issue emergency order to save the endangered spotted owl
An internal government document reveals how B.C., citing ‘significant impacts’ on forest sector jobs and provincial revenue, aims to prevent Ottawa from stepping in to save a species on the cusp of Canadian extinction. Sarah Cox reports. (The Narwhal)

Turning Wastewater Into Irrigation Water, Fertilizer
Researchers in the Oregon State University College of Engineering are developing technology to convert wastewater into a product that would simultaneously irrigate and fertilize crops. (Corvallis Advocate)

What's behind the summer travel chaos at B.C. Ferries?
This summer, getting on a ferry has felt like scoring tickets to the hottest concert in town, as B.C. Ferries has been plagued by technical difficulties with its vessels, last-minute cancellations, staffing shortages and confusion about the availability of reservations online. Michelle Ghoussoub reports. (CBC)

To speak for trees, Snohomish County activists arm themselves with data
A climate-driven campaign seeks County Council support for conservation, despite diminished timber industry and tax loss concerns. \Julie Titone reports. (Everett Herald)

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Now, your tug weather--
West Entrance U.S. Waters Strait Of Juan De Fuca-  255 AM PDT Wed Jul 26 2023   
TODAY  Light wind becoming NW 5 to 15 kt in the afternoon. Wind  waves 2 ft or less. W swell 3 ft at 7 seconds. 
TONIGHT  W wind 5 to 15 kt becoming SW to 10 kt after midnight.  Wind waves 2 ft or less. W swell 4 ft at 6 seconds.

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