8/29 China rockfish, Sk’aliCh’elh-tenaut celebration, BC First Nations, BC fire costs, control burns, pink salmon, deer kill

China Rockfish [M. Chamberlain]

China Rockfish Sebastes nebulosus
China Rockfish can be found from Kodiak Island, AK to southern California at depths between 3 m (10 ft) and 128 m (420 ft). They are more common however, between British Columbia and central California, at depths greater than 10 m (33 ft). Chinas almost exclusively prefer rocky habitat with high relief and complexity. Interestingly, China Rockfish have also been seen cohabitating with Giant Pacific Octopus in rock crevices. This species is known to have particularly small home ranges while also being territorial. Research conducted off of Vancouver Island showed that they are a relatively sedentary species after they reach adulthood, only moving around 10 m (33ft) from their home. China Rockfish grow up to 45 cm (18 in) in length and 1.9 kg (4.2 lb) in weight, living for up to at least 79 years. (WDFW)

Sk’aliCh’elh-tenaut celebration is a call to action
A celebration of life for Southern Resident orca Sk’aliCh’elh-tenaut was a call to action as well as a remembrance. Richard Arlin Walker reports. (Salish Current)  See also: Complete raw video of ceremony (Friends of the San Juans) 

Watch: How First Nations in B.C. are reclaiming control and access in their traditional territories
Despite thousands of years of caring for the land and waters, First Nations on the west coast of Vancouver Island have historically been shut out of decisions about the management of parks. But the tide, it seems, is turning. (CBC)

Province of B.C. says it's spent $585M so far this year fighting wildfires
The B.C. government has spent more than half a billion dollars so far this year fighting a historically bad wildfire season, and that number is expected to continue to rise in the coming weeks as hundreds of blazes continue to burn. Tim Petruk reports. (Castanet)

Severe wildfires are difficult to control – but one research model shows ‘a better way forward’
As swaths of wildlands are being scorched and communities smoked out by another unusually hot, dry summer, researchers in Washington state say there could be a less miserable, environmentally beneficial alternative. A key part of the solution is allowing some smaller wildfires to burn when conditions are favorable and by conducting prescribed burns — an approach historically practiced by indigenous people in North America. Lisa Stiffler reports. (GeekWire)

Pink salmon are having a great 2023 return in Puget Sound
Matt Bogaard with the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife said: "We're forecasting to see about four million Pink Salmon returning to Puget Sound this year. That's right around the 10-year average," Bogaard said. "We did see a run size of a little over 8.5 million in 2013. And we've had several large run sizes since, but in the last two pink salmon cycles, we've seen declining run sizes. So it's great to see a larger number coming back this year." Natalie Akane Newcomb reports. (KUOW)

Deer kill essential to Sidney Island survival: First Nations
Parks Canada tour shows how the understory has been nibbled down compared with lush neighbouring Portland Island. Darron Kloster reports. (Times Colonist)

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Now, your tug weather--
West Entrance U.S. Waters Strait Of Juan De Fuca-  253 AM PDT Tue Aug 29 2023   
TODAY  W wind to 10 kt becoming 5 to 15 kt in the afternoon.  Wind waves 1 to 3 ft. W swell 3 ft at 12 seconds. A slight chance  of rain. 
TONIGHT  W wind 5 to 15 kt. Wind waves 3 to 5 ft subsiding to  1 to 3 ft after midnight. W swell 3 ft at 11 seconds. A slight  chance of rain in the evening then a chance of showers after  midnight.

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