8/21 Tokitae, murres, sablefish, Gen Z climate, Mill Cr park stormwater, WSF, Sidney Is deer, Camano Is feces, Willows Beach e-coli, plastic straws

 Tokitae [Jennifer Stuber]

Lolita the orca, captive for more than a half-century, dies at Miami Seaquarium
Lolita, an orca whale held captive for more than a half-century, died Friday at the Miami Seaquarium as caregivers prepared to move her from the theme park in the near future. The Seaquarium posted a statement from the nonprofit group Friends of Toki on social media that Lolita — also known as Tokitae, or Toki — started exhibiting serious signs of discomfort over the past two days. Seaquarium and Friends of Toki medical team members began treating her immediately and aggressively, but the 57-year-old orca died from an apparent renal condition, the statement said. (Associated Press)

Biologists research why high number of common murres die along Oregon’s coast
Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife officials say it’s not unusual to find young murres struggling around this time of year, as fledglings leave their nests and try to make it on their own. And this year’s numbers of dying or sick birds are higher than usual. Researchers say an extremely warm ocean along Oregon’s coast could be a factor, as warmer temperatures can kill the fish and crustaceans that the birds rely on for food. A[ril Ehrlich reports. (OPB)

Climate Change Likely to Reshape West Coast Fisheries by Sending Fish Farther Offshore
Shifting ocean conditions associated with climate change will likely send high-value sablefish into deeper waters off the West Coast, new research shows. (NOAA Fisheries)

With TikTok and Lawsuits, Gen Z Takes on Climate Change
With active lawsuits in five states, TikTok videos that mix humor and outrage, and marches in the streets, it’s a movement that is seeking to shape policy, sway elections and shift a narrative that its proponents say too often emphasizes climate catastrophes instead of the need to make the planet healthier and cleaner. David Gelles reports. (NY Times)

Community Transit fined for stormwater violations near Mill Creek park
Construction at McCollum Park exposed contaminated soil from an old landfill. Runoff could have been polluted. (Everett Herald)

As Washington’s ferry fleet ages, why aren’t we building new boats?
Two and a half years after Washington state and Vigor Shipyards committed to building five new clean-running ferries by 2028, with the first rolling off the line by 2022, the partnership has fallen apart, casting the grand plans for a reborn fleet into a state of uncertainty at a time when new boats are needed more than ever. David Kroman reports. (Seattle Times)

Deer must go to restore Sidney Island, Parks Canada says
Parks Canada says the fallow deer must be eradicated before their population rebounds. Roxanne Egan-Elliott reports. (Times Colonist)

On Camano shore contaminated by feces, locals blame lack of oversight
Years of frustration led some Camano Island residents to build their own sewage system. It’s set to start pumping this month. Jordan Hansen and Ta'Leah Van Sistine report. (Everett Herald)

CRD: Historic bacteria highs from Willows Beach water sample
Testing by the Capital Regional District found an elevated enterococci bacteria count of 4,400 in the Willows Beach water sample. Saltwater beach advisories are recommended when more than 175 enterococci bacteria are found in a water sample. According to Island Health, it’s the highest level of enterococci bacteria ever recorded at Willows Beach since the CRD and Island Health began testing for it in 2014. Michael John Lo reports. (Times Colonist)

The Straw That Hijacked the Plastic Pollution Movement
Plastic straws used to be “environmental enemy number one.” Was the fight against them in vain? Harvin Bhathal reports. (Hakai Magazine)

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Now, your tug weather--
West Entrance U.S. Waters Strait Of Juan De Fuca-  224 AM PDT Mon Aug 21 2023   TODAY  W wind to 10 kt rising to 10 to 20 kt in the afternoon.  Wind waves 1 ft or less building to 1 to 3 ft in the afternoon. W  swell 7 ft at 8 seconds subsiding to 5 ft at 8 seconds in the  afternoon. 
TONIGHT  W wind 10 to 20 kt becoming SW 5 to 15 kt after  midnight. Wind waves 1 to 3 ft. W swell 4 ft at 8 seconds.

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