Friday, October 30, 2026

10/30 Vermillion rockfish, North Coast tanker ban, WA bird flu, BC Old Growth, nudis, democracy watch, week in review.

 

Vermillion rockfish [Wikipedia]

Vermilion rockfish Sebastes miniatus
Vermilion rockfish range from Zaikof Bay, Montague Island, Prince William Sound, Alaska, to San Benito Islands, Baja California. Adults are found at water depths from 6 to 436 m (20-1,440 ft) and are most common between 50 and 150 m (165-495 ft). Sub-adult and adult vermillion rockfish aggregate on high relief rocky bottoms. Vermilion rockfish can grow up to 76 cm (30 in) in length, and 6.8 kg (15 lbs) in weight. Maximum age is at least 60 years old. (WDFW)

Today's top story in Salish Current:  Our Cascades: Forged by fire and ice

B.C. North Coast tanker ban to remain in place after Liberals vote down Tory bill
Federal and provincial Conservatives had supported bill as talks of a pipeline from Alberta to B.C. gain steam. Nick Murray reports. (Canadian Press) 

Bird flu spreads to Washington dairy farms
The Washington State Department of Agriculture confirmed the first detections in two Yakima County dairy herds in early October. In the span of three weeks, 27 dairy farms tested positive for bird flu. Aspen Ford reports. (Washington State Standard) 

What Will Happen to BC’s Old Growth Under the Conservatives?
They’ve pledged to protect the most endangered and rarest ecosystems. But they also promised ‘more fibre on trucks.’ Sarah Cox reports. (The Tyee) 

This Oregon marine biologist knows nudis — tiny, carnivorous sea slugs — and you can too 
Marine biologist Nancy Treneman wants to introduce you to the wild and wonderful world of the sea slugs known as nudibranchs. Ian McCluskey reports. (OPB) 

Democracy Watch
  • Justice Department issues new subpoenas over Alaska spoiler candidate controversy, AP source says (AP) 
  • Justice Department subpoenas California officials in escalation of its scrutiny of local elections (AP) 
Salish Sea News Week in Review 10/30/26: Lemur Day!, BC Conservatives win, youth climate suit, WA river fishery closure, Roadless Rule, ropeless crab traps, bear dens, yelloweye rockfish, lost glacier cover, BC tanker ban, WA bird flu. 


Have you read the Salish Current? 
Independent, fact based news for Whatcom, San Juan and Skagit counties. Community supported, free from ads. Read the latest weekly newsletter here.

Here's your weekend tug weather— 
West Entrance U.S. Waters Strait Of Juan De Fuca-  158 AM PDT Fri Oct 30 2026    
TODAY
 SE wind 10 to 15 kt. Seas 3 to 4 ft. Wave Detail: E 3 ft  at 4 seconds and W 2 ft at 11 seconds. A slight chance of showers  late this morning. A chance of showers this afternoon.  
TONIGHT
 E wind 10 to 15 kt. Seas 3 to 4 ft. Wave Detail: E  3 ft at 4 seconds and W 2 ft at 11 seconds. SAT  E wind 10 to 15 kt. Seas 3 to 4 ft. Wave Detail: E 3 ft at  4 seconds and W 2 ft at 12 seconds.  
SAT NIGHT
 E wind 5 to 10 kt. Seas around 3 ft in the evening,  then around 2 ft or less. Wave Detail: E 2 ft at 3 seconds and W  2 ft at 12 seconds.  
SUN
 E wind around 5 kt. Seas around 2 ft or less, then around  3 ft in the afternoon. Wave Detail: W 3 ft at 15 seconds.

---

"Salish Sea News & Weather" is compiled as a community service by Mike Sato.  To subscribe? Questions? Email msato(at)salish-current.org. Your email information is never shared and you can unsubscribe at any time.



Salish Sea News: Communicate, Educate, Advocate



Salish Sea Communications: Truth Well Told





 

Thursday, October 29, 2026

10/29 Red-breasted merganser, bear dens, yelloweye rockfish, big jelly, Whatcom comp plan, shrunken glaciers, Jimenez out, humpback killed,Tumlber RidgeLines, Robinson in, democracy watch.

 

Red-breasted Merganser 


Red-breasted Merganser Mergus serrator
The Red-breasted Merganser is a shaggy-headed diving duck also known as the "sawbill"; named for its thin bill with tiny serrations on it that it uses to keep hold of slippery fish. It breeds in the boreal forest on freshwater and saltwater wetlands. Red-breasted Mergansers need to eat 15 to 20 fish per day, which researchers suggest means they need to dive underwater 250–300 times per day or forage for 4–5 hours to meet their energy needs.  (All About Birds)

Today's top story in Salish Current:  Agroforestry practices spread in NW Washington 

On Haida Gwaii, logging took the trees that bears called home. Now, the Haida Nation is building them new dens 
The Haida Nation is crafting artificial dens from stumps to shelter coastal black bears for the upcoming winter, while hoping the effort doesn’t become an excuse for clear-cutting to continue unchecked. onal Gupta reports. (The Narwhal) 

Oregon yelloweye rockfish fishery to reopen after 25-year closure 
According to Oregon Public Broadcasting, yelloweye rockfish was declared overfished in 2002, leading to the closure of commercial fishing for the species. A recent assessment found the population has since rebuilt enough to allow limited commercial harvest beginning in 2027. (National Fisherman) 

Heaviest jellyfish on Earth filmed on night dive in Pacific Ocean

Back in 2024, an underwater videographer shared enchanting footage of a lion’s mane jellyfish captured during a night dive in the Salish Sea – a marginal sea of the Pacific Ocean between British Columbia in Canada and Washington State in the United States. The creature was so gigantic that it took him over a minute to find it after first spotting its trailing tentacles. Melissa Hobson reports. (Discover Wildlife) 

Environmental groups take Whatcom County to court over comp plan
Two local environmental nonprofits, RE Sources and Whatcom Environmental Council, have joined Futurewise, a planning nonprofit, to appeal Whatcom County’s comprehensive plan to a state hearings board, saying it falls short of state requirements around climate change.  Julia Tillman reports. (CDN) 

More than a third of western states’ glacial cover has been lost since 1950s as planet warms
Six western states, including Oregon, have lost more than one-third of their glacial cover since 1950 and more than 300 glaciers in those states have disappeared entirely as the earth has rapidly warmed, a first-of-its-kind inventory and analysis confirms. Their latest study, recently published in the journal of the National Academy of Sciences, looks at size and volume data from 1,331 Western glaciers, not all federally recognized. It compares that data to historical USGS glacial mapping data recorded between 1950 and 1980. Alex Baumhardt reports. (Washington State Standard) 

Nicolas Jimenez out as B.C. Ferries CEO, review launched
CEO Nicolas Jimenez is no longer the CEO of B.C. Ferries, with the company saying its board initiated a "leadership transition" and "revitalization review." Karin Larsen reports. (CBC) 

Humpback whale found dead was struck by B.C. Ferries vessel: DFO
Ferry passengers felt a collision with a whale on Oct. 18 while travelling on the Queen of Surrey between Langdale Terminal on the Sunshine Coast and Horseshoe Bay in West Vancouver. Alanna Kelly reports. (CBC) 

Every Paper in One BC Region Closed. Reporters Refused to Give Up
When Tumbler Ridge’s only newspaper closed a decade ago, Trent Ernst started his own publication, Tumbler RidgeLines. He’s among a small community of local news reporters who remain in northeast BC. Amanda Follett Hosgood reports. (The Tyee) 

Sean Robinson takes helm as editor of Washington State Standard
Born in Washington, Robinson started his career in suburban weekly newspapers before moving to the Tacoma News Tribune, where he spent 20 years as an award-winning investigative reporter before shifting to an editing role. (Washington State Standard) 

Democracy Watch
  • WA’s election chief says federal noncitizen voting list includes citizens (Washington State Standard) 
  • National Guard and DOJ expected around Washington's 2026 midterm election (KUOW) 
  • Peltola's campaign involved in effort to recruit second Dan Sullivan for Alaska Senate race (AP) 
Have you read the Salish Current? 
Independent, fact based news for Whatcom, San Juan and Skagit counties. Community supported, free from ads. Read the latest weekly newsletter here.

Here's your tug weather— 
West Entrance U.S. Waters Strait Of Juan De Fuca-  142 PM PDT Wed Oct 28 2026    
THU  SE wind 10 to 15 kt. Seas 4 to 6 ft. Wave Detail: E 2 ft  at 3 seconds and W 4 ft at 10 seconds. Rain. THU NIGHT  E wind 10 to 15 kt. Seas 3 to 4 ft. Wave Detail: E  3 ft at 4 seconds and W 3 ft at 11 seconds. A chance of rain.

---

"Salish Sea News & Weather" is compiled as a community service by Mike Sato.  To subscribe? Questions? Email msato(at)salish-current.org. Your email information is never shared and you can unsubscribe at any time.



Salish Sea News: Communicate, Educate, Advocate



Salish Sea Communications: Truth Well Told





Wednesday, October 28, 2026

10/28 Douglas maple, ropeless crab traps, OR 3-mile rule, Project PULSE, democracy watch.

Douglas Maple [Native Plants PNW]
 
Douglas Maple Acer glabrum var. douglasii
One of three native maple species in the Pacific Northwest, Douglas Maple var. douglasii, is found from coastal southeast Alaska and British Columbia, to southern Oregon; east to Idaho and Montana. Fall foliage ranges from yellow to orange to crimson.  (Native Plants PNW)

Today's top story in Salish Current:  Tax fraud conviction shadows Skagit County treasurer candidate Garrison

No Strings Attached
A new fishery in California shows how ropeless crab traps can prevent whales from becoming entangled in fishing lines. Madeline Ostrander reports. (The Narwhal) 

Oregon looking at new rules for 3-mile-wide ribbon of ocean along the coast
The Oregon Department of State Lands wants to strengthen protections for Oregon’s marine ecosystem and ensure Oregonians get fair compensation for the use of the seafloor. Kristian Foden-Vencil reports. (OPB) 

DOE Awards Puget Sound Energy $40.2M for Washington State 'Project PULSE' Transmission Upgrades
PSE is matching the $40.2 million federal grant, bringing the total investment in regional grid modernization to approximately $80.4 million. Eric Moody reports. (T&DWorld) 

Canadian youth ask courts to hold governments accountable for meaningful climate action
A landmark trial in Canada is part of a growing global wave of climate litigation testing whether governments can be held legally responsible for failing to protect people from a warming world. Stefan Labbé reports. (The Narwhal) 

Democracy Watch
  • ICE arrests surge at Seattle-area Home Depot parking lots. Neighbors are on the lookout. (KUOW) 
  • Incoming premier denounces white supremacists at legislature (Times Colonist) 

Have you read the Salish Current? 
Independent, fact based news for Whatcom, San Juan and Skagit counties. Community supported, free from ads. Read the latest weekly newsletter here.

Here's your tug weather— 
West Entrance U.S. Waters Strait Of Juan De Fuca-  103 PM PDT Tue Oct 27 2026    
WED
 SW wind 5 to 10 kt, becoming S in the afternoon. Seas 3 to  5 ft. Wave Detail: W 5 ft at 10 seconds and W 2 ft at 14 seconds.  A chance of rain in the morning, then rain in the afternoon.  
WED NIGHT
 SE wind 5 to 10 kt, becoming E 10 to 15 kt after  midnight. Seas 3 to 5 ft. Wave Detail: E 2 ft at 4 seconds and W  5 ft at 10 seconds. Rain.

---

"Salish Sea News & Weather" is compiled as a community service by Mike Sato.  To subscribe? Questions? Email msato(at)salish-current.org. Your email information is never shared and you can unsubscribe at any time.



Salish Sea News: Communicate, Educate, Advocate



Salish Sea Communications: Truth Well Told





Tuesday, October 27, 2026

10/27 Red tree coral, youth climate action, BC coast tanker ban, WA rivers fishing closures. biodiversity protections, Roadless Rule repeal, Salish Sea Gateway, democracy watch.

Red tree coral [Wikipedia]
 
Red tree coral Primnoa pacifica 
Red tree coral is a species of soft coral in the family Primnoidae. It is a deep water coral found in the North Pacific Ocean, and plays an integral role in supporting benthic ecosystems. Red tree corals are made of a soluble form of calcium carbonate, which forms the reef structure, and provide food, shelter, and nutrients for surrounding organisms. (Wikipedia)

Today's top story in Salish Current:  Whatcom jail project enters design phase without 50-50 care split

Canadian youth ask courts to hold governments accountable for meaningful climate action
A landmark trial in Canada is part of a growing global wave of climate litigation testing whether governments can be held legally responsible for failing to protect people from a warming world. Stefan Labbé reports. (The Narwhal) 

Federal Conservatives renew push to end B.C. North Coast tanker ban
Tory bill to scrap the ban heads to 2nd reading in Parliament this week. (Canadian Press) 

WDFW closes many western Washington rivers to fishing, citing historically low flows
The closures, which took effect Oct. 24, prohibit fishing for salmon and all game fish in several major river systems and tributaries. (KING) 

Every Day, Humankind Saws Another Branch Off the Tree of Life’
As countries meet to rescue a global nature agreement, scientists warn of a ‘dramatic weakening’ of Canada’s biodiversity protections. Sarah Cox reports. (The Tyee) 

Loggers say Roadless Rule repeal won't solve their biggest challenges
With the formal repeal of the Roadless Rule rule expected early next year, the picture on the ground in timber country looks messier. Those who make a living in the forests say the problems are much bigger than access to more trees. Kurt Seigler reports. (OPB/NPR) 

DP World Inaugurates CAD$22 Million Salish Sea Gateway
DP World has inaugurated its CAD$22 million Salish Sea Gateway, British Columbia’s first dedicated short-sea shipping facility, designed to strengthen trade connectivity between Vancouver Island and British Columbia’s Lower Mainland. (DredgeWire) 

Democracy Watch
  • Trump administration asks Washington to set aside ballots from 400 voters it says may be noncitizens (AP) 
  • Thousands of observers are expected to descend on polling places to monitor the vote on Election Day (AP) 
Have you read the Salish Current? 
Independent, fact based news for Whatcom, San Juan and Skagit counties. Community supported, free from ads. Read the latest weekly newsletter here.

Here's your tug weather— 
West Entrance U.S. Waters Strait Of Juan De Fuca-  221 PM PDT Mon Oct 26 2026    
TUE
 SW wind 5 to 10 kt, becoming W 10 to 15 kt in the  afternoon. Seas 3 to 5 ft. Wave Detail: W 4 ft at 9 seconds. A  chance of rain in the afternoon.  
TUE NIGHT
 SW wind 10 to 15 kt. Seas 3 to 5 ft. Wave Detail: W  4 ft at 9 seconds. Rain.

---

"Salish Sea News & Weather" is compiled as a community service by Mike Sato.  To subscribe? Questions? Email msato(at)salish-current.org. Your email information is never shared and you can unsubscribe at any time.



Salish Sea News: Communicate, Educate, Advocate



Salish Sea Communications: Truth Well Told





Monday, October 26, 2026

10/26 Coral mushrooms, BC election, BC Conservative gov't, democracy watch.

Coral Mushrooms
Coral Mushrooms Ramaria
Coral mushrooms are some of the most visually striking fungi in the Pacific Northwest. They look like underwater corals transplanted to the forest floor — clusters of branching, upright fingers in colors ranging from bright orange and crimson to pale yellow and purple. Most belong to the genus Ramaria, but several other genera produce coral-like forms. (Salish Mushrooms)

Today's top story in Salish Current:  To keep Lopez fed, keep local farms thriving

B.C.’s Conservative party just won a majority. Here’s what it means for the environment 
Following a snap election called by the BC NDP, the Conservatives have won the 2026 election. From oil and gas to Indigenous Rights, here’s what it plans to change. Shannon Waters reports. (The Narwhal) 

What to expect from the new B.C. Conservative government
Party has promised to not raise taxes, scrap Massey Tunnel replacement and repeal DRIPA. (CBC)


Democracy Watch
  • Musk says he was behind Starlink speed restriction after service in Ukraine is restored (AP) 
  • Trump’s DOJ sues over Alaska Senate race, expanding preelection legal fights (Washington State Standard) 

Have you read the Salish Current? 
Independent, fact based news for Whatcom, San Juan and Skagit counties. Community supported, free from ads. Read the latest weekly newsletter here.

Here's your tug weather— 
West Entrance U.S. Waters Strait Of Juan De Fuca-  146 PM PDT Sun Oct 25 2026    
MON
 E wind 5 to 10 kt, becoming SE in the afternoon. Seas  around 3 ft. Wave Detail: E 2 ft at 4 seconds and W 2 ft at  11 seconds.  
MON NIGHT
 SW wind around 5 kt. Seas around 2 ft or less, then  around 3 ft after midnight. Wave Detail: W 3 ft at 9 seconds.

---

"Salish Sea News & Weather" is compiled as a community service by Mike Sato.  To subscribe? Questions? Email msato(at)salish-current.org. Your email information is never shared and you can unsubscribe at any time.



Salish Sea News: Communicate, Educate, Advocate



Salish Sea Communications: Truth Well Told





Friday, October 23, 2026

10/23 Redhead, ghost net cleanup, Skagit Island Unit, BC Ferries, coral reef ecosystems, seagrass, democracy watch, week in review.

Redhead [Bryan Calk]
 

Redhead Aythya americana
With a gleaming cinnamon head setting off a body marked in black and business gray, adult male Redheads light up the open water of lakes and coastlines. These sociable ducks molt, migrate, and winter in sometimes-huge flocks, particularly along the Gulf Coast, where winter numbers can reach the thousands. Summers find them nesting in reedy ponds of the Great Plains and West. Female and young Redheads are uniform brown, with the same black-tipped, blue-gray bill as the male. (All About Birds) 

Today's top story in Salish Current:  Samish Crest fires raise concerns about prevention in urban-adjacent woods

‘Gratifying and humbling’: First Nation leads ghost net cleanup from Interior B.C. rivers
For two decades, TLKemchEEN has facilitated the annual cleanup of the Fraser and Thompson rivers to support salmon and other aquatic life. Santana Dreaver reports. (The Narwhal) 

State temporarily reopens Skagit Wildlife Area's Island Unit
The unit, located near Conway, is accessible only by boat. Fish and Wildlife began restoration of 270 acres of estuary at the unit in July, and expected to keep it closed through fall 2028. The department and its contractor have paused construction for the winter. The unit reopened Saturday and will remain open through March. Emma Fletcher-Frazer reports. (Skagit Valley Herald) 

Unions Call on Next Government to Build Ferries in BC
After a year of political discontent over BC Ferries’ decision to hire a Chinese state-owned shipyard to build four new vessels, the three front-runners in the B.C. election have all committed to supporting ferry-building in this province. Isaac Pham Nay reports. (The Tyee)

Almost all coral reef ecosystems face risk of collapse in 50 years, study warns
An assessment of the world's coral reef ecosystems has found that almost all face a high risk of collapse in the next 50 years mostly due to warming oceans and heat waves. Michael Casey reports.(Associated Press) 

The Curious Connection Between Bacteria, Seagrass, and Carbon
New research shows that seagrass depends on the bacteria around it—and that the antibiotics entering our oceans could disrupt that relationship. Scarlett Buckley reports. (bioGraphic) 

Democracy Watch

Salish Sea News Week in Review 10/23/26: Mole Day, Stillaguamish Tribe restoration, Tranquil Cr restoration, invasive beetle, bear baiting, humpback killed, SRKW population, sunken tires removal. 

Have you read the Salish Current? 
Independent, fact based news for Whatcom, San Juan and Skagit counties. Community supported, free from ads. Read the latest weekly newsletter here.

Here's your weekend tug weather— 
West Entrance U.S. Waters Strait Of Juan De Fuca-  138 AM PDT Fri Oct 23 2026    
TODAY
 NW wind 5 to 10 kt, becoming E late this morning and  early afternoon, backing to NW late. Seas 4 to 6 ft. Wave Detail:  W 6 ft at 10 seconds.  
TONIGHT
 W wind around 5 kt, backing to S around 5 kt after  midnight. Seas 3 to 4 ft. Wave Detail: W 4 ft at 10 seconds.  
SAT
 SE wind 5 to 10 kt, rising to 10 to 15 kt in the  afternoon. Seas 3 to 4 ft. Wave Detail: W 4 ft at 10 seconds. A  chance of rain in the afternoon.  
SAT NIGHT
 SE wind 15 to 20 kt. Seas 5 to 7 ft. Wave Detail: E  7 ft at 8 seconds. Rain.  
SUN
 SE wind 15 to 20 kt, easing to 10 to 15 kt in the  afternoon. Seas 5 to 7 ft. Wave Detail: E 6 ft at 9 seconds.  Rain.

---

"Salish Sea News & Weather" is compiled as a community service by Mike Sato.  To subscribe? Questions? Email msato(at)salish-current.org. Your email information is never shared and you can unsubscribe at any time.



Salish Sea News: Communicate, Educate, Advocate



Salish Sea Communications: Truth Well Told





Thursday, October 22, 2026

10/22 Blood star, new SRKW calf, BC voter guide, BC poll, tire removal, democracy watch.

Pacific blood star
 

Pacific blood star Henricia leviuscula
Pacific blood star is a species of sea star found along the Pacific coast of North America. They can usually be identified by their bright orange-red color, but there can also be many variations from tan to almost purple. The disk can be a mottled gray color. Its range is from Alaska to Baja California. (Wikipedia) 

Today's top story in Salish Current:  Inside the obsessive, beautiful world of Bellingham’s fungi experts

'Definitely good news': New southern resident killer whale calf spotted
The calf appears healthy, but researchers warn that life is hard for young killer whales. Scott Van Haren reports. (Times Colonist) 

Your B.C. election guide to key climate and environment issues 
Here’s where the NDP, Conservatives and Greens stand on fossil fuels, Indigenous Rights and energy. Shannon Waters reports. (The Narwhal) 

Affordability leapfrogs environment, even in eco-savvy B.C.
An Ipsos poll in September found just 12 per cent of British Columbians ranked the environment and climate change as among their top three election priorities. Jack Knox writes. (Times Colonist) 

WA state removes 2,000 tires from Thurston County park. Why were they there? 
Work crews removed about 2,000 tires offshore of Frye Cove Park in northwest Thurston County this month. Several state groups sunk thousands of tires across Puget Sound between the 1960s and 80s, according to DNR. They hoped the tires would serve as artificial reef habitat for rocket fish and lingcod populations, both of which dwindled due to overfishing around the same time period. Despite good intentions, DNR says subsequent surveys found fish were not using the tires as habitat. Martín Bilbao reports. (The Olympian) 

Democracy Watch
Have you read the Salish Current? 
Independent, fact based news for Whatcom, San Juan and Skagit counties. Community supported, free from ads. Read the latest weekly newsletter here.

Here's your tug weather— 
West Entrance U.S. Waters Strait Of Juan De Fuca-  207 PM PDT Wed Oct 21 2026    
THU
 W wind 5 to 10 kt, rising to 15 to 20 kt in the afternoon.  Seas 4 to 6 ft. Wave Detail: W 6 ft at 11 seconds.  
THU NIGHT
 W wind 10 to 15 kt, becoming NW around 5 kt after  midnight. Seas 5 to 7 ft. Wave Detail: W 7 ft at 10 seconds.

---

"Salish Sea News & Weather" is compiled as a community service by Mike Sato.  To subscribe? Questions? Email msato(at)salish-current.org. Your email information is never shared and you can unsubscribe at any time.



Salish Sea News: Communicate, Educate, Advocate



Salish Sea Communications: Truth Well Told





Wednesday, October 21, 2026

10/21 Golden-crowned sparrow, oil tanker terminal, SRKW population, Alberta separation, Medicaid cuts.

Golden-crowned sparrow [Gregg Thompson]
 

Golden-crowned sparrow Zonotrichia atricapilla 
The Golden-crowned Sparrow has bright breeding plumage with a bright yellow crown flanked with bold, black bars. Golden-crowned Sparrows are most commonly considered a migrant and wintering bird in Washington, and are one of the most common wintering sparrows in western Washington, especially on the coast and up the Columbia Gorge as far as Lyle. (BirdWeb)

Today's top story in Salish Current:  Whatcom County’s Kidney Moonshot: A goal within reach

Elbows up in Washington state over Canada’s proposed oil tanker terminal on border
Critics searching for leverage against pipeline project that would carry 1M barrels of oil a day to waiting supertankers in British Columbia. Tom Banse reports. (Washington State Standard)  ‘A whole order of magnitude greater’: San Juan responders prepare for unprecedented megatanker traffic. Sam Fletcher reports. (Salish Current) 

Southern resident orca population inches up, but still low
The latest census of the critically endangered orcas found 76 as of July 1, up from 74 during the same period a year ago. Darron Kloster reports. (Times Colonist) 

Alberta Gives Its Answer: ‘The Separation Stuff Is Crap’
Voters soundly reject pursuing a split from Canada. But anti-immigrant proposals were winning. Leah Hennig reports. (The Tyee) 

WA hospitals anticipate losing billions in revenue from Medicaid cuts
New work requirements take effect Jan. 1. Healthcare leaders say this will affect all patients, not just those on Medicaid. Jake Goldstein-Street reports. (Washington State Standard)

Have you read the Salish Current? 
Independent, fact based news for Whatcom, San Juan and Skagit counties. Community supported, free from ads. Read the latest weekly newsletter here.

Here's your tug weather— 
West Entrance U.S. Waters Strait Of Juan De Fuca-  202 PM PDT Tue Oct 20 2026    
WED
 E wind around 5 kt, backing to NW in the afternoon. Seas  3 to 4 ft. Wave Detail: W 3 ft at 11 seconds.  
WED NIGHT
 W wind 5 to 10 kt. Seas 3 to 5 ft. Wave Detail: NW  2 ft at 5 seconds and W 5 ft at 11 seconds.

---

"Salish Sea News & Weather" is compiled as a community service by Mike Sato.  To subscribe? Questions? Email msato(at)salish-current.org. Your email information is never shared and you can unsubscribe at any time.



Salish Sea News: Communicate, Educate, Advocate



Salish Sea Communications: Truth Well Told





Tuesday, October 20, 2026

10/20 Blackeye goby, Bill C-39, Dene Kʼéh Kusān protection, AK bear baiting, MONA climate change, BC daylight savings time, humpback struck, The Digger, democracy watch.

Blackeye Goby [REEF]
 
Blackeye Goby Rhinogobiops nicholsii
The Blackeye Goby is found through the Pacific coasts of the US and Canada including southern California to British Columbia, and is present but uncommon near Alaska. They are typically between 1-4 inches and can grow to a maximum size of 6 inches. Blackeye Gobies are found on sandy areas near rocky outcroppings or structures like docks. They like to make dens in sand or silt, or they may occupy crevices or submerged objects like bottles, jars, or tires. (REEF)

Today's top story in Salish Current:  A protest in pictures: Whatcom County says ‘No Kings’

What does Bill C-39 mean for First Nations? Senators question Carney government 
The controversial bill reshapes how Indigenous communities weigh in on major mining, oil and gas and infrastructure projects in Canada — and shortens timelines for environmental review. Carl Meyer reports. (The Narwhal) 

B.C. election casts uncertainty over future of Indigenous protected area 
Dene Kʼéh Kusān, a massive proposed protected area in Kaska territory, would bring the province closer to the BC NDP's conservation goals. But a change in government could mean a change in priorities. Cameron Fenton reports. (The Narwhal) 

Trump administration moves to reopen Alaska national preserves to bear baiting by sport hunters
Sport hunters will be able to bait bears in Alaska national preserves, under a final rule the Trump administration announced on Friday. Bear baiting, which involves use of food stockpiles to attract bears that are then killed and harvested, is a controversial practice. The rule, proposed in March, overturns bans by the Biden and Obama administrations of the practice within National Park Service units. Yereth Rosen reports. (Washington State Standard) /

WWU artists and scientists collaborate to provoke dialogue on climate change
A 6-foot beautiful but broken sea star ravaged by wasting disease. A contour map overlaid with poetic riffs on geologic time. Photographs of neon rectangles illuminating a dense forest to highlight the effects of forest fire. A jewel box installation of a kelp forest. An everyday business suit crafted from a silver emergency wildfire shelter. The artwork in “Surge: A Geography of Flow” at the Museum of Northwest Art in La Conner comes out of a collaboration between visual artists and climate scientists exploring how art can spark conversations about climate change’s impact on the landscape. Jennifer Nerad reports. (WWU News) 

For thousands of workers, lifelong time-zone math will go out the window when B.C. stops changing clocks
Federal employees among many facing schedule changes as B.C. moves to permanent daylight time Nov. 1. Rhianna Schmunk reports. (CBC) 

Humpback whale struck by BC Ferries vessel near Sunshine Coast, researchers fear collision was fatal
BC Ferries confirmed the Queen of Surrey was travelling between Horseshoe Bay and Langdale when it collided with the whale in waters south of Grace Island. Jeff Lawrence reports. (CHEK) 

Sympathy for the Digger
Tom Cruise’s oil tycoon blames climate change on consumers. I don’t entirely disagree. Nathan Gilles writes. (Columbia Insight) 

Democracy Watch
  • Justice Dept. charges 28 in California with voting-related crimes (NY Times) 
  • Alberta polls close in separation vote testing Carney’s push for Canadian unity (AP) 
Have you read the Salish Current? 
Independent, fact based news for Whatcom, San Juan and Skagit counties. Community supported, free from ads. Read the latest weekly newsletter here.

Here's your tug weather— 
West Entrance U.S. Waters Strait Of Juan De Fuca-  204 PM PDT Mon Oct 19 2026    
TUE
 E wind 5 to 10 kt. Seas 3 to 4 ft. Wave Detail: E 2 ft at  5 seconds and W 4 ft at 10 seconds.  
TUE NIGHT
 E wind around 5 kt. Seas 3 to 5 ft. Wave Detail: W  4 ft at 11 seconds.

---

"Salish Sea News & Weather" is compiled as a community service by Mike Sato.  To subscribe? Questions? Email msato(at)salish-current.org. Your email information is never shared and you can unsubscribe at any time.



Salish Sea News: Communicate, Educate, Advocate



Salish Sea Communications: Truth Well Told





Monday, October 19, 2026

10/19 Slippery jacks, Stillaguamish Tribe restoration, Tranquil Creek restoration, emerald ash borer, healing bleached corals, gentrified seafood, smugglers, pirates, democracy watch.

Slippery Jacks Suillus lutes
 
Slippery Jacks Suillus spp.
Slimy or sticky caps are the giveaway. Many have a partial veil or ring on the stem. Strongly associated with specific conifers — pine, larch, or Douglas-fir depending on species. Edible but slimy texture puts many foragers off. Peel the cap skin first. (Salish Mushrooms)

Today's top story in Salish Current:  Campus food pantries see increased demand as students struggle with basic needs

Stillaguamish Tribe wraps up its largest-ever salmon restoration project
A final meeting between project managers and tribe members last week wrapped up the Stillaguamish Tribe’s largest project to date, restoring more than 230 acres of floodplain along two miles of the North Fork Stillaguamish River. The Trafton Floodplain Restoration Project removed multiple agricultural levees and cut a side channel through the land that was artificially leveled in the 1960s, northwest of the small unincorporated community of Trafton, east of Arlington along Highway 530. Taylor Scott Richmond reports. (Everett Herald) 

The helicopter-powered quest to save salmon in B.C.
An ambitious restoration project in Tla-o-qui-aht territory is using engineered logjams to rebuild salmon habitat in the degraded Tranquil Creek watershed. Zoë Yunker reports. (The Narwhal) 

Invasive beetle arrives in eastern Washington, threatens ash trees
The emerald ash borer, one of the most destructive invasive pests in the nation, has been detected in multiple trees outside of Walla Walla in eastern Washington. While it’s the second statewide detection of the beetle, it’s the first time state officials found it infesting trees. In August, officials confirmed identification of an emerald ash borer on a car windshield in Vancouver. Aspen Ford reports. (Washington State Standard) 

To Heal These Bleached Corals, All It Took Was a Little Touch
After sick corals were placed in direct contact with healthy ones of the same genetic makeup, they recovered at “incredible” speed, scientists found. Raymond Zhong reports. (NY Times) 

How Climate Change Is Causing ‘the Gentrification of Seafood’ 
As environmental forces make fishing and harvesting more costly, the price of once-everyday fish has ballooned. Julia O'Malley reports. (NY Times) 

Smugglers have snuck across porous WA-B.C. border for centuries. What's new? 
New history book releasing Oct. 20 follows modern example of age-old crime. Annie Todd writes. (CDN) 

Mossback's Northwest: Pirates of the Salish Sea
In the late 19th and early 20th century, the Salish Sea from Victoria BC to Olympia was filled with elusive pirates on a decades-long crime spree. Knute Berger writes. (CascadePBS) 

Democracy Watch
Have you read the Salish Current? 
Independent, fact based news for Whatcom, San Juan and Skagit counties. Community supported, free from ads. Read the latest weekly newsletter here.

Here's your tug weather— 
West Entrance U.S. Waters Strait Of Juan De Fuca-  136 PM PDT Sun Oct 18 2026    
MON
 E wind around 5 kt in the morning, becoming light and  variable. Seas 3 to 4 ft. Wave Detail: W 4 ft at 11 seconds.  
MON NIGHT
 NE wind around 5 kt. Seas 3 to 4 ft. Wave Detail: W  4 ft at 10 seconds.

---

"Salish Sea News & Weather" is compiled as a community service by Mike Sato.  To subscribe? Questions? Email msato(at)salish-current.org. Your email information is never shared and you can unsubscribe at any time.



Salish Sea News: Communicate, Educate, Advocate



Salish Sea Communications: Truth Well Told





Friday, October 16, 2026

10/16 Bushtit, cruise ships and whales, BC NDP old growth, Eleanor Stoops award, Docktober. Snake R walleyes, PS Shipyard, democracy watch, week in review.

Bushtit 

Bushtit  Psaltriparus minimus
The Bushtit is a tiny, gray bird with a long tail. It has a brownish wash on its forehead and a tiny, thin bill. Bushtits inhabit mixed coniferous and deciduous areas with shrubby growth. They commonly use suburban areas and city parks, as well as young coniferous forests with an open canopy. They are mostly found west of the Cascades. They glean food from leaves and twigs, often hanging upside-down to get at the undersides of leaves. (BirdWeb)

Today's top story in Salish Current:  Facing multimillion-dollar shortfalls, county candidates pitch efficiencies and alternatives

Despite efforts, Northwest cruise ships collide with whales, climate
Cruise ship season wrapped up Sunday in Seattle, with close to 1 million people boarding a cruise ship in 2026, a record number, according to the Port of Seattle. Moving these floating resorts through the sea can have big impacts – from hitting whales to heating the planet. John Ryan reports. (KUOW) 

B.C. NDP backsliding on commitment to preserving old growth, scientists say
Ecologist Karen Price spent months as part of an advisory panel tasked with identifying the old growth forest in B.C. most at risk and in need of protection.  Now she's watching the province auction off some of those areas to logging companies. Tara Carman reports. (CBC) 

Stewardship starts with inspiration
Florian Graner and Laura Tucker both say they came to their current line of work by accident. Graner, a cinematographer and executive director of Sound Water Stewards of Island County, gave the keynote speech at Wednesday’s annual Stewardship Breakfast, hosted by the Port Townsend Marine Science Center. Tucker, who was presented with this year’s Eleanor Stopps Environmental Leadership Award on Wednesday, also harbored an early interest in biology. Christy Carley reports. (Peninsula Daily News) 

Docktober invites folks to join citizen scientists in peeking under docks
Luan Roberts' mission is to get more folks involved in the emerging citizen science known as “dock fouling” with Dock of the Month Club meetups around Puget Sound. This month, she’s inviting everyone to join the Doctober global bioblitz to document wildlife living under docks worldwide. Ian McCluskey reports. (OPB) 

Walleye numbers in the Snake River are increasing rapidly. That could be a problem for salmon and steelhead
Scientists are seeing way more invasive walleye in the Snake River. That could mean trouble for salmon. Courtney Platt reports. (NW Public Broadcasting) 

US Navy to Move Forward on $15 Billion Puget Sound Shipyard Expansion
Until the upgrade is complete, Washington-based Ford-class supercarriers that need drydock maintenance will need to sail all the way to Virginia. Peter Suciu reports. (The National Interest) 

Democracy Watch

  • Amazon, Microsoft and T-Mobile among top donors to Trump’s ballroom (Seattle Times) 
  • Trump administration sues California to block state from counting alleged noncitizen mail-in ballots (AP) 
Salish Sea News Week in Review 10/16/26: Feral cats, Olympia protection, Comox drought, Elwha land transfer, whale entanglements, SRKW population, Vancouver cruise ships, BC NDP enviro record, seawater mining, ship-whale collisions, Docktober.

Have you read the Salish Current? 
Independent, fact based news for Whatcom, San Juan and Skagit counties. Community supported, free from ads. Read the latest weekly newsletter here.

Here's your weekend tug weather— 
West Entrance U.S. Waters Strait Of Juan De Fuca-  218 AM PDT Fri Oct 16 2026    
TODAY
 SE wind 5 to 10 kt, becoming NE late this morning,  backing to NW this afternoon. Seas 3 to 4 ft. Wave Detail: E 2 ft  at 4 seconds and W 4 ft at 14 seconds. A chance of rain late.  
TONIGHT
 SE wind 5 to 10 kt, becoming SW 10 to 20 kt after  midnight. Seas 3 to 5 ft. Wave Detail: SW 2 ft at 4 seconds and W  5 ft at 12 seconds. Rain.  
SAT
 W wind 10 to 20 kt. Seas 3 to 5 ft. Wave Detail: W 5 ft at  11 seconds. A chance of rain in the morning.  
SAT NIGHT
 W wind 10 to 15 kt, becoming NW around 5 kt after  midnight. Seas 4 to 6 ft. Wave Detail: W 6 ft at 11 seconds.  
SUN
 E wind around 5 kt. Seas 4 to 6 ft. Wave Detail: W 6 ft at  12 seconds.


---

"Salish Sea News & Weather" is compiled as a community service by Mike Sato.  To subscribe? Questions? Email msato(at)salish-current.org. Your email information is never shared and you can unsubscribe at any time.



Salish Sea News: Communicate, Educate, Advocate



Salish Sea Communications: Truth Well Told





Thursday, October 15, 2026

10/15 Hooded nudibranch, BC NDP enviro record, mining seawater, hunting and hiking, sea blob.

Hooded nudibranch [Drew Collins]
 

Hooded nudibranch Melibe leonina
The Hooded nudibranch looks like a jellyfish but is actually a sea slug. They can grow to be about 3 to 4 inches long and are characterized by an imposing hood which is lined with inward-facing, short tentacles. The oral hood is used as a net to catch prey and help them to move through the water. The hooded nudibranch can often be found living in eelgrass meadows, a habitat that provides them with food and shelter from prey. (Sea Doc Society)

Today's top story in Salish Current:  Commentary: San Juan County council candidate’s approach to the budget

Fact-checking the B.C. NDP's environmental record
The B.C. NDP campaign released its environmental commitments over the weekend. During the last campaign two years ago, the party made pledges on everything from methane emissions to habitat protection to preserving old-growth forests. Here's how they fared. Tara Carman reports. (CBC) 

Mining seawater? Northwest researchers see a motherlode of critical minerals in the waves
Salt may be the first mineral that comes to mind when we think about seawater, but in every drop, there are actually dozens of elements and compounds. Calcium, silicon, copper, uranium and even silver and gold are all there, albeit in trace amounts. Given the sheer volume of the oceans, even trace amounts could add up to significant quantities — if we could get them out of the water. Yes Burns reports. (OPB) 

How hikers and hunters can coexist on Washington public lands this season
As fall progresses, so does hunting in the Pacific Northwest. Hikers and hunters will coexist on Washington’s public lands more so than at any other time of year. Gavin Feek reports. (Tacoma News Tribune) 

This Brainless Sea Blob Has No Ears, but It Feels Sound
Researchers at Ruhr-University Bochum examined sea squirts and how they show behavioral responses to low-frequency, vibroacoustic stimuli. They found that sea squirts responded with contractions to stimuli between 50 and 800 Hertz. Ted Malone reports. (AZ Animals) 

Have you read the Salish Current? 
Independent, fact based news for Whatcom, San Juan and Skagit counties. Community supported, free from ads. Read the latest weekly newsletter here.

Here's your tug weather— 
West Entrance U.S. Waters Strait Of Juan De Fuca-  146 PM PDT Wed Oct 14 2026    
THU
 E wind 10 to 15 kt. Seas 3 to 5 ft. Wave Detail: E 3 ft at  4 seconds and W 3 ft at 12 seconds.  
THU NIGHT
 E wind 10 to 15 kt. Seas 3 to 4 ft. Wave Detail: E  3 ft at 4 seconds and W 4 ft at 13 seconds.

---

"Salish Sea News & Weather" is compiled as a community service by Mike Sato.  To subscribe? Questions? Email msato(at)salish-current.org. Your email information is never shared and you can unsubscribe at any time.



Salish Sea News: Communicate, Educate, Advocate



Salish Sea Communications: Truth Well Told





Wednesday, October 14, 2026

10/14 Pink mountain heather, orca population, trees value, BC cruise ships, salary survey, 'lost' species, democracy watch.

Pink Mountain Heather
 
Pink Mountain Heather Phyllodoce empertriformis
Pink Mountain Heather is found in mountainous regions of western North America in the Northwestern United States and Western Canada. Its southern range includes the Klamath Range in northern California and Oregon. Phyllodoce empetriformis is a low matting shrub with distinctive leaves which roll under themselves so tightly they resemble pine needles. It bears attractive flowers in shades of pink and purple. This common (in its native bioregion) evergreen alpine shrub bears its red-purple flower clustered at the end of the stem in leaf axils. (Calscape)

Today's top story in Salish Current:  ‘A whole order of magnitude greater’: San Juan responders prepare for unprecedented megatanker traffic

Southern resident orca population increases by two; no adult deaths reported in latest census
Four new calves were reported during the recent census year, ending in July, but only two of them have survived. That raises the official population count to 76 whales in 2026, as reported by the Center for Whale Research in its annual census report. If this rate of population growth could be sustained, the endangered orcas might be on a path to recovery. But, given their history, that remains just a hope. Christopher Dunagan reports. (Puget Sound Institute) 

Trees as Public Health Infrastructure
New research shows that meeting tree canopy goals could prevent more than 67,000 premature deaths in the United States.Ashley Braun reports. (bioGraphic) 

Vancouver sees record-setting number of cruise ship passenger visits in 2026, expects growth next year
Vancouver’s port authority is anticipating even more growth in 2027 after a record-setting year for cruise ship tourism in the city, which the authority says injected more than $1 billion into the local economy. Arden McLeod reports. (CBC) 

Gov. Ferguson calls for salary survey after WA ferry sickout
After a sickout crippled Washington’s ferry system last week, Gov. Bob Ferguson ordered a new evaluation of its engineers’ salaries ahead of wage negotiations with union workers next summer. Jake Goldstein-Street reports. (Washington State Standard) 

Nevada scientist among those logging ‘lost’ species as fewer endangered species are listed
Across Nevada, 20 modern animals, from towering American bison to diminutive Pyramid Lake pebblesnails, that once called the region home have been extirpated. Some species continue to live in other areas; others were endemic to Nevada and are now extinct. Nearly 50 more of the state’s plants and animals, listed on the federal endangered species list or recognized as threatened, aren’t far behind. Another nearly 600 plants and animals have a half dozen or fewer population groupings in the state. Amy Alonzo reports. (AP/The Nevada Independent) 

Democracy Watch
  • Immigration arrests linked to WA driver data ‘off the charts’ (Seattle Times) 
Have you read the Salish Current? 
Independent, fact based news for Whatcom, San Juan and Skagit counties. Community supported, free from ads. Read the latest weekly newsletter here.

Here's your tug weather— 
West Entrance U.S. Waters Strait Of Juan De Fuca-  146 PM PDT Tue Oct 13 2026    
WED  SE wind 5 to 10 kt. Seas 3 to 5 ft. Wave Detail: E 2 ft at  3 seconds and W 4 ft at 13 seconds. A chance of rain in the  morning.  
WED NIGHT
 E wind 5 to 10 kt. Seas 3 to 4 ft. Wave Detail: E  2 ft at 3 seconds and W 4 ft at 12 seconds.

---

"Salish Sea News & Weather" is compiled as a community service by Mike Sato.  To subscribe? Questions? Email msato(at)salish-current.org. Your email information is never shared and you can unsubscribe at any time.



Salish Sea News: Communicate, Educate, Advocate



Salish Sea Communications: Truth Well Told





Tuesday, October 13, 2026

10/13 Sea lettuce. Elwha return, whale entanglements, legacy forest protection, Dee[ Bay, milt meal, democracy watch.

 

Sea lettuce [California Sea Grant]

Sea lettuce Ulva Lactic
The sea lettuces comprise the genus Ulva, a group of edible green algae that are widely distributed along the coasts of the world's oceans. The type species within the genus Ulva is Ulva lactuca, lactuca being Latin for "lettuce". Contamination with toxic heavy metals at certain sites where it can be collected makes it dangerous for human consumption. (Wikipedia]

Today's top story in Salish Current:  Ferries: I’ll keep fighting for improvements

Elwha River dam removal project nears capstone with land transfer to tribe
Where a dam once stood, life coursed through. Kingfishers trilled as they zipped through the canyon, and young salmon darted in the pools below. Lower Elwha Klallam tribal families have returned in recent years to this free-flowing river, bringing laughter to the shore and fish home to eat. Twelve years ago, the last piece of two Elwha dams came down, in what was at the time the world’s largest dam removal project. It was hard-won by the tribe after generations of declining salmon runs and community health. Now, the so-called project lands, where the dams were blasted and a river freed, are slated to return to the tribe, marking the capstone of the federal project. Isabella Breda reports. (Seattle Times) 

Washington among 4 states with highest rate of whale entanglements, report shows
Of the Pacific coastal states with the most reports in 2025, California had the highest at 27.6%; Alaska had 23.7%; Hawaii, 15.8%; and Washington, 11.8%. Aspen Ford reports. (Washington State Standard) 

Does Wash. have enough money to protect legacy forests?
State budget cuts put older forests in limbo and complicate conservation goals. Nick Englefried reports. (Columbia Insight) 

'We hunt for places like this': Trusts help raise funds for Deep Bay land
The goal is to protect 50 hectares of forest, wetland, estuary and shoreline in Deep Bay. Dave Flawse reports. (Times Colonist) 

Milt Meal
Marine creatures will do almost anything for a meal—including feasting on the sperm and eggs of spawning invertebrates. Tony Wu and Adrienne Mason report. (bioGraphic) 

Democracy Watch
  • Elon Musk quietly becomes biggest known donor in midterm contests as he tries to save Republicans (AP) 
  • Judge orders the Trump administration to cancel taxpayer-funded promotional TV ads (AP) 
Have you read the Salish Current? 
Independent, fact based news for Whatcom, San Juan and Skagit counties. Community supported, free from ads. Read the latest weekly newsletter here.

Here's your tug weather— 
West Entrance U.S. Waters Strait Of Juan De Fuca-  207 PM PDT Mon Oct 12 2026    
TUE
 E wind around 5 kt. Seas 3 to 4 ft. Wave Detail: W 3 ft at  13 seconds. A chance of showers.  
TUE NIGHT
 SE wind 5 to 10 kt. Seas 3 to 4 ft. Wave Detail: SE  2 ft at 3 seconds and W 3 ft at 13 seconds. A chance of showers  in the evening, then showers likely after midnight.

---

"Salish Sea News & Weather" is compiled as a community service by Mike Sato.  To subscribe? Questions? Email msato(at)salish-current.org. Your email information is never shared and you can unsubscribe at any time.



Salish Sea News: Communicate, Educate, Advocate



Salish Sea Communications: Truth Well Told





Monday, October 12, 2026

10/12 Indigenous People's Day, Oly-area protected, Port Townsend mill spill, Comox Valley water, Deschutes Estuary restoration, ghost gear removal/

 

Indigenous People's Day, Seattle 2023
(Lindsey Wesson/AP-NPR)

Native Americans in North America
Archaeologists believe that the ancestors of today's Native Americans came to North America from Siberia, entering the Puget Sound region as the glaciers of the last ice age receded. Substantial archeological evidence of continuing human habitation in the area from 12,000 years ago indicates that the present tribes of Puget Sound have lived here at least that long, and some discoveries suggest that people were living in the region several thousand years before that. (History Link) 

Today's top story in Salish Current:  Bellingham innovators build ‘Telehamster’ network for vintage phones

$5 million plan protects Olympia-area forest, shoreline and rare cove
The Thurston County-based nonprofit Capitol Land Trust recently announced that more than 200 acres of almost completely undeveloped property with rare environmental features northwest of Olympia has gained permanent protection. The land trust posted on social media on Oct. 2 about the successful conservation effort. The property, which contains a pocket estuary known as Hudson Cove, is at the end of 69th Avenue Northwest on Steamboat Peninsula in Thurston County. Ty Vinson reports. (Olympian) 

WA paper mill reported minor spill; fired worker warns it was far worse 
A company report, accepted by state regulators, said that in late November a hole opened within the bowels of a pulp and paper mill and, briefly, poured a small stream of untreated wastewater into the city’s bay....Washington’s Department of Ecology didn’t investigate. That is, until months later, when John Tippins, a veteran millwright, gave inspectors at Ecology dozens of his own photos and videos from the November spill. He described the episode as “catastrophic,” the worst he had seen. Conrad Swanson reports. (Seattle Times) 

Lack of rain prompts water restrictions in Comox Valley
Inflows into the Comox Lake Reservoir are at their lowest for the period from May 16 to now since records started being kept 64 years ago. Jeff Bell reports. (Times Colonist) 

Deschutes Estuary Restoration Project Draft Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement 
Public review and comment now open until 11:59 p.m. November 9. (Dept of Ecology) 

Coming soon: Bellingham’s new home for Coast Salish culture and history 
A big and bold Indigenous presence is coming to downtown Bellingham. The Indigenous-led nonprofit, Setting Sun Circle, is creating its homebase on West Holly Street. It's calling the space “a new home for Indigenous innovation, healing and collective action.” Kyle Norris reports. (KUOW) 

Divers volunteer to pull ghost gear around Sidney Pier
Five volunteer divers worked in two teams over two dives, clearing three large snags built up on the back pilings of the Sidney Pier, clearing the way for Salish Sea wildlife. The Oct. 4 cleanup follows a dive in March, when a small group pulled up a number of abandoned crab traps. This time, about 250 kg of material was recovered, including roughly 110 kg of rope and line, along with traps, netting, cable and a shopping cart. (Goldstream Gazette) 


Have you read the Salish Current? 
Independent, fact based news for Whatcom, San Juan and Skagit counties. Community supported, free from ads. Read the latest weekly newsletter here.

Here's your tug weather— 
West Entrance U.S. Waters Strait Of Juan De Fuca-  238 PM PDT Sun Oct 11 2026    
MON  SE wind around 5 kt, backing to NW in the afternoon. Seas  3 to 4 ft. Wave Detail: W 2 ft at 7 seconds and W 3 ft at  16 seconds.  
MON NIGHT
 W wind around 5 kt. Seas 3 to 4 ft. Wave Detail: W  2 ft at 6 seconds and W 3 ft at 14 seconds.

---

"Salish Sea News & Weather" is compiled as a community service by Mike Sato.  To subscribe? Questions? Email msato(at)salish-current.org. Your email information is never shared and you can unsubscribe at any time.



Salish Sea News: Communicate, Educate, Advocate



Salish Sea Communications: Truth Well Told