9/14 Bougainvillea, whale winter behavior, cougars and wolves, exotic marine species, biodegradable fishing gear

Bougainvillea

Bougainvillea is a genus of thorny ornamental vines, bushes, and trees belonging to the four o' clock family, Nyctaginaceae. The first European to describe these plants was Philibert Commerçon, a botanist accompanying French Navy admiral Louis Antoine de Bougainville during his voyage of circumnavigation of the Earth, and first published by Antoine Laurent de Jussieu in 1789. It is possible that the first European to observe these plants was Jeanne Baret, Commerçon's lover and assistant, who was an expert in botany. Because she was not allowed on ship as a woman, she disguised herself as a man in order to make the journey (and thus became the first woman to circumnavigate the globe). (Wikipedia)

Ocean Wise starts studying whale winter behaviour to further conservation efforts
Ocean Wise is embarking on its second winter research project to study the behaviour of whales in the Salish Sea to further protect and boost the populations. Researchers with Ocean Wise have noticed increased activity of whales like humpbacks, Bigg’s killer whales and southern resident orcas around Vancouver Island in the cooler months. (CHEK)

In a battle of apex predators, Washington cougars are killing wolves at a surprising rate
Wolves may be an apex predator, but researchers in Washington recently noticed that they’re being attacked and killed by another carnivore at the top of the food chain: cougars. Libby Denkmann and Alec Cowan report. (KUOW)

Warmer water brings big, exotic species into the Salish Sea
Marine heat is causing some unusual species to show up in Puget Sound and the Salish Sea. Recent reports include two sightings in August of six-foot-long sunfish near Tacoma, Wash. Also recently seen: a huge bluefin tuna in the San Juan Islands. Bellamy Pailthorp reports. (KNKX)

Biodegradable Fishing Gear Isn’t Good Enough
Lower efficiency makes the eco-friendly nets and ropes fall short. That’s a trade-off we might have to accept. Alastair Bland (Hakai Magazine)

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Now, your tug weather--
West Entrance U.S. Waters Strait Of Juan De Fuca-  828 AM PDT Thu Sep 14 2023   
TODAY  E wind 5 to 15 kt. Wind waves 2 ft or less. W swell 4 ft  at 9 seconds. 
TONIGHT  Light wind. Wind waves less than 1 ft. W swell 3 ft at  9 seconds.

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