1/5 Ghost shrimp, Great Bear Rainforest, WA initiatives, WA ferries, Salish Sea Stewards runaway barge, Lahaina's whales

 

Burrowing ghost shrimp

Burrowing ghost shrimp  Neotrypaea californiensis
With their pale, fragile bodies (so translucent that you can see their organs through their shells), the ghost shrimps look almost otherworldly. But these little specters – more closely related to crabs than to true shrimp – are real-life ecosystem engineers, creating deep burrows by digging with their legs and claws. (WA Ecology)

Conservation group buys out hunting rights in B.C.'s Great Bear Rainforest to protect wildlife
The Raincoast Conservation Foundation, based in Sidney, B.C., said Thursday that it raised $1.92 million over two years to buy the rights from hunters that cover roughly a quarter, or 18,000 square kilometres, of the Great Bear Rainforest on the province's north and central coast. Chuck Chiang reports. (Canadian Press)

Ballot initiatives cast shadow over Washington legislative session
Democratic and Republican lawmakers want to work on climate, public safety, education and transportation. The measures could affect what gets accomplished. Jerry Cornfield reports. (Washington State Standard)

WA ferry system scraps timeline for resuming normal service
Washington State Ferries is now acknowledging what most regular riders likely already suspected: Until new boats come online four to five years from now, normal service is not possible. That means routes between Seattle and Bremerton; Fauntleroy, Southworth and Vashon; and Port Townsend and Coupeville will each indefinitely operate with one fewer boat than they should. It also means other routes, such as Edmonds to Kingston, are likely to continue experiencing intermittent service reductions, despite WSF’s declaration last year that the crossing was back to full service. David Kroman reports, (Seattle Times)

Salish Sea Stewards to begin annual training process
The Salish Sea Stewards program is returning for its annual training in February, 10 years after the program’s inception. The goal of the program, which is led by the Skagit Marine Resources Committee, is to teach residents about various parts of the marine world and associated volunteer opportunities through environmental programs, said coordinator Erin Merklein. Emma Fletcher-Frazer reports. (Skagit Valley Herald)

Barge runs aground after breaks loose from anchor in Saanichton Bay
Second attempt set for high-tide Friday to remove beached wood chip carrier. Louise Dickson reports. (Times Colonist)

After the Fire, Lahaina’s Whales Are Left in the Lurch
The August 2023 blaze torched the town’s harbor, disrupting a spotting network crucial to saving entangled whales. Judy Edwards reports. (Hakai Magazine)

Salish Sea News Week in Review 1/5/24: Bird Day, baby boy orca, BC pipe, bad air, AK avian flu, oil refinery regs, T46, bird count, Great Bear Rainforest.

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Here's your weekend tug weather—
West Entrance U.S. Waters Strait Of Juan De Fuca-  224 AM PST Fri Jan 5 2024  
SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY IN EFFECT THROUGH SATURDAY AFTERNOON    
TODAY  SW wind 5 to 15 kt becoming S 20 to 30 kt in the  afternoon. Wind waves 2 ft or less building to 3 to 5 ft in the  afternoon. W swell 13 ft at 17 seconds. A slight chance of rain  in the morning then rain in the afternoon.
TONIGHT  W wind 20 to 30 kt becoming NW 5 to 15 kt after  midnight. Wind waves 3 to 5 ft subsiding to 2 ft or less after  midnight. W swell 17 ft at 17 seconds. Showers and a slight  chance of tstms in the evening then rain after midnight.  
SAT  NW wind 5 to 15 kt becoming 10 to 20 kt in the afternoon.  Wind waves 1 to 3 ft. W swell 14 ft at 16 seconds subsiding to  12 ft at 16 seconds in the afternoon. Rain likely.  
SAT NIGHT  NW wind 10 to 20 kt becoming E 5 to 15 kt after  midnight. Wind waves 1 to 3 ft. W swell 12 ft at 15 seconds.  
SUN  NE wind to 10 kt becoming E 5 to 15 kt in the afternoon.  Wind waves 2 ft or less. W swell 10 ft at 15 seconds.

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"Salish Sea News & Weather" is compiled as a community service by Mike Sato. It is included as a daily feature in the Salish Current newsletter. Click here to subscribe. Questions? Email mikesato772 (@) gmail.com. Your email information is never shared and you can unsubscribe at any time.



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