2/5 Bocaccio, enviro rule, Muckleshoot salmon, aquarium layoffs, coal mine pollution, Canadian oil export, WA solar power, Project 2025 protests, first 100 days

 

Bocaccio [NOAA]

Bocaccio Sebastes paucispinis
Bocaccio are large Pacific coast rockfish that are slow-growing, late to mature, and long-lived. They range from Punta Blanca, Baja California, to the Gulf of Alaska off Krozoff and the Kodiak Islands, but are most common between Oregon and northern Baja California. Having struggled to recover from overfishing, the Puget Sound/Georgia Basin distinct population segment of bocaccio is listed as endangered under the Endangered Species Act. Non-ESA listed populations of bocaccio are harvested in commercial and recreational fisheries off the West Coast and Alaska. (NOAA)

Today's top story in Salish Current: Lopez pool to open this year; local school kids to benefit

North Dakota federal judge axes environmental rule
A court order says a federal agency has spent decades governing review process without authority. Mary Steurer reports. (Washington State Standard) 

From local waters to dinner plates: How the Muckleshoot Tribe helps feed the community
For hundreds of years, the Muckleshoot Tribe has been stewards of our local waterways and that tradition continues today. As their fishing operation has grown, they're now able to put their salmon on more people's dinner tables. Holly Menino reports.(KOMO)

Seattle Aquarium lays off staffers months after waterfront expansion
The Seattle Aquarium is laying off workers, citing redundancies and increased operating costs. The waterfront nonprofit confirmed Tuesday it is cutting 12 jobs representing 4% of its workforce in the first quarter of the year. The decision comes after the aquarium opened its new Ocean Pavilion addition on Aug. 29. Joey Thompson reports. (Business Journal)

Coal mine pollution: international inquiry details plan to investigate Canada, U.S. contamination
After decades of pollution from B.C. coal mines, an international inquiry is proposing to spotlight solutions to issues like selenium contamination. Ainslie Cruickshank reports. (The Narwhal)

Tariff Threats Spur Canada to Ramp Up Oil Shipments to China
Canada has a Trump-proof oil pipeline. Trans Mountain is Canada's only oil export link that avoids the US. Robert Tuttle reports. (Bloomberg)

$156M solar power grant for Washington in limbo after Trump order
Washington was locked out of about $150 million in federal funding for solar projects focused on low-income communities last week as the Trump administration paused clean energy grants. Jake Goldstein-Street reports. (Washington State Standard)

Protests against Trump and Project 2025 are planned in cities across the US
A movement to oppose the early actions of President Donald Trump’s administration is taking off online, with plans to protest across the U.S. on Wednesday. The movement has organized under the hashtags #buildtheresistance and #50501, which stands for 50 protests, 50 states, one day. Many of the protests are planned at state capitols, with some in other cities. (Associated Press)

The First 100 Days
• Trump picks scientist involved in ‘Sharpiegate’ scandal to lead NOAA (Washington Post)
• Trump administration pulling almost all USAID workers off the job worldwide (Associated Press)
• Trump and Musk demand termination of federal office leases through General Services Administration (Associated Press)
• Senate confirms Pam Bondi as US attorney general, putting Trump ally at Justice Department’s helm (Associated Press)
• Trump will sign an executive order barring transgender female athletes from competing (Associated Press)
• Trump administration begins first detention flights to Guantanamo Bay (Washington State Standard)

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Here's your tug weather—
West Entrance U.S. Waters Strait Of Juan De Fuca-  249 AM PST Wed Feb 5 2025   SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY IN EFFECT UNTIL 10 AM PST THIS MORNING    
TODAY  E wind 15 to 20 kt. Seas 3 to 4 ft. Wave Detail: E 3 ft  at 5 seconds and W 2 ft at 15 seconds. A chance of rain and snow  showers early this morning, then rain and snow showers likely  late this morning and afternoon.  
TONIGHT  E wind 10 to 15 kt. Seas 3 to 4 ft. Wave Detail: E  2 ft at 4 seconds, SE 2 ft at 7 seconds and W 2 ft at 15 seconds.  A chance of rain and snow showers.

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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 msato(at)salishseacom.com. Your email information is never shared and you can unsubscribe at any time.



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