2/26 Oystercatcher, Columbia Basin Pact, Chinook Indian Nation, illegal prawn traps

 

Black Oystercatcher [Wendy Feltham]

The Black Oystercatcher is a spectacular shorebird that lives right here on the shores of the Salish Sea, and all along the West Coast of North America. Sometimes called “carrot smokers” for their unique long, orange bills, they also sport bright yellow eyes with what the Cornell Lab of Ornithology calls a “flame scarlet” orbital ring around the eye that matches their bills. Wendy Feltham writes. (Rainshadow Journal)

Today's top story in Salish Current: Tribal right to fish in ‘usual and accustomed’ areas comes with complexity

Governors, tribes ratify Columbia River Basin pact at White House signing ceremony
The governors of Washington and Oregon and four Native American tribal leaders gathered at the White House on Friday to celebrate last year’s agreement to avoid litigation over dams in the Columbia River Basin. Jacob Fischler reports. (Washington State Standard)  See also: New Columbia Basin plan promises $1B for fish restoration and a break from court cases Courtney Flatt reports. (NW News Network)

Chinook Indian Nation land claim settlement awarded, nation could be closer to federal recognition
The federal government awarded over half a million dollars to the Chinook Indian Nation to settle the nation’s long-running land claim. The nation believes the decision strengthens its nearly two-century fight for federal recognition and its campaign to secure a land base in its traditional territory. Luna Reyna reports. (Indian County Today)

Illegal prawn traps in B.C. glass-sponge refuge net $250K fine
The captain of a commercial fishing vessel has been fined $250,000 by a provincial court judge and ordered to forfeit $80,000 worth of equipment after being caught setting prawn traps in a glass sponge marine refuge near Sechelt, B.C. (Canadian Press)

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Here's your tug weather—
West Entrance U.S. Waters Strait Of Juan De Fuca-  246 AM PST Mon Feb 26 2024    
SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY IN EFFECT THROUGH THIS EVENING    
TODAY  NW wind 15 to 25 kt becoming W in the afternoon. Wind  waves 2 to 4 ft. W swell 6 to 11 ft at 12 seconds building to 8  to 13 ft at 12 seconds in the afternoon.  
TONIGHT  NW wind 15 to 25 kt easing to 10 to 20 kt after  midnight. Wind waves 2 to 4 ft. W swell 8 to 13 ft at 11 seconds  subsiding to 6 to 11 ft at 12 seconds after midnight.

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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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