2/7 Steller sea lion, herring, foreign contact ban, dungeness crab, orca pregnancy, fed EV charger grants, mines, bald eagle rehab, first 100 days, week in review

Steller sea lion [NOAA]

 
Steller sea lion Eumetopias jubatus
The Steller (or northern) sea lion is the largest member of the family Otariidae, the “eared seals,” which includes all sea lions and fur seals. Steller sea lions are named for Georg Wilhelm Steller, the German surgeon and naturalist on the Bering expedition who first described and wrote about the species in 1742. While they are the only living member of their genus, they share parts of their range with a smaller related species, California sea lions. Steller sea lions' impressive low-frequency vocalizations sound more like roars than California sea lions’ barks. They also share parts of their range with another otariid: northern fur seal. (NOAA)

Today's top story in Salish Current: Group works to start new newspaper in La Conner

W̱SÁNEĆ Hereditary Chiefs ‘deeply frustrated’ as feds boost commercial herring catch
The chiefs have called for a moratorium to protect B.C.'s last strong herring stock. Instead, Fisheries and Oceans upped the allowable catch. Steph Kwetásel’wet Wood reports. (The Narwhal) First Nations and UVic researchers convene to raise their voices about local herring fishery ‘We’re taking this ecological lynchpin and grinding it into cat food’ Scott Van Haren reports. (The Martlet)

Scientists on alert after some NOAA staff ordered to stop talking to people overseas
Staff members at a division of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration have been told this week to stop all contact with foreign nationals, including on international treaties and seafood catch limits, stoking confusion and fear among government scientists as the Trump administration begins to shape its vision for their work. Scott Dance reports. (Washington Post)

Pacific Northwest Crab Research Group researches dungeness crab populations and their implications on sustainable fishing in Washington
As climate change has destabilized large parts of the local fishing industry, western Washington has turned its focus to the dungeness crab, a valuable species in the state’s fishing and crabbing industry. Abigail Meyers reports. (The Daily)

Does that orca have a baby bump? Drones can tell from the air
Orcas, like humans, get baby bumps in the early months of pregnancy that grow larger as the pregnancy advances. Researchers say they can now spot those underwater baby bumps from the air and keep better tabs on whales' maternal health. John Ryan reports. (KUOW)

Trump administration tells states billions in EV charger money is on hold
Washington was in line to receive $71 million for chargers along I-5 and other roads. But the U.S. Department of Transportation says it will revamp the program. Jake Goldstein-Street reports. (Washington State Standard)

Economics, not politics, main reason mines fail to materialize in B.C., researcher suggests
Simon Fraser University research survey indicates fast-tracking of project no guarantee of success. Marcy Nicholson reports. (Canadian Press)

Rehabilitated bald eagle released at Ballinger Park
The eagle was found three weeks ago, most likely affected by pesticide. (Everett Herald)

The First 100 Days
After prayer breakfast, Trump creates task force to root out ‘anti-Christian bias’ (Associated Press)
Forced leaves start for thousands at USAID under a Trump plan to gut the foreign aid agency (Associated Press)

Salish Sea News Week in Review 2/7/25: Periodic table day, old-growth, kelp forests, Vancouver population, bald eagles, coal mine pollution, solar power grant, fed fund freeze, climate vs salmon, world climate.

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Here's your weekend tug weather—
West Entrance U.S. Waters Strait Of Juan De Fuca-  503 AM PST Fri Feb 7 2025    
TODAY  SE wind 5 to 10 kt. Seas around 3 ft. Wave Detail: W  2 ft at 12 seconds. A chance of rain and snow showers late.  
TONIGHT  SE wind 5 to 10 kt. Seas around 3 ft. Wave Detail: W  2 ft at 12 seconds. Rain and snow showers likely.  
SAT  NE wind 5 to 10 kt, backing to N in the afternoon. Seas  3 to 4 ft. Wave Detail: W 4 ft at 14 seconds. Rain and snow  showers likely in the morning, then a chance of showers in the  afternoon.  
SAT NIGHT  N wind around 5 kt, veering to E after midnight.  Seas 3 to 4 ft. Wave Detail: W 4 ft at 9 seconds and W 4 ft at  16 seconds.  
SUN  E wind around 5 kt. Seas 3 to 4 ft. Wave Detail: W 4 ft at  8 seconds and W 3 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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