A difference between chum and coho salmon may be in their blood – Watching Our Waterways

Posted on September 14, 2016 by Al Bergstein

Good new information from science on salmon. This kind of basic science can lead to proper decision-making processes in government. A good example would be to force more work on eliminating stormwater pollution over other kinds of water pollution, focusing funding on that.

Chris Dunagan in Watching Our Water Ways writes about the latest research into why coho salmon are more susceptible to stormwater pollution than chum salmon. In an interview with researcher Jenifer McIntyre, he writes: “Researchers in Japan have discovered that different kinds of fish have different subunits in their hemoglobin, which are the proteins in red blood cells that carry oxygen to the vital organs. Since coho and other salmon may have different forms of hemoglobin, oxygen transport in the blood is a good place to start this investigation, she said.”

http://pugetsoundblogs.com/waterways/2016/09/10/a-difference-between-chum-and-coho-salmon-may-be-in-their-blood/

Filed under: Puget Sound | Tagged: | Comments Off on A difference between chum and coho salmon may be in their blood – Watching Our Waterways

What is the future of B.C.’s iconic fish? -Vancouver Sun

Posted on September 14, 2016 by Al Bergstein

This is a good reality check. I know many younger Canadians that haven’t a clue how bad the wild salmon situation is.  There is a mistake in this article, where it says that “Aquaculture has replaced nearly all of that decline.” I would like to see numbers to prove that claim. There were millions of fish once coming out of the Fraser, now they are nearly gone. There is no way farmed fish have replaced them. Perhaps they mean that out of the fish that were left in 1990, that farmed fish have replaced the loss since then.

Wild B.C. salmon may be on its way to luxury item status… That’s if you can buy it at all. The wild catch of B.C. salmon has declined nearly 80 per cent since 1990, according to statistics supplied by the Ministry of Agriculture. Aquaculture has replaced nearly all of that decline, and today produces about three quarters of B.C.’s total salmon haul. The Fraser River sockeye fishery was closed altogether this year based on spawner return estimates of just 853,000 fish, numbers once reckoned in the tens of millions. It is the worst return in 120 years, according to the Pacific Salmon Commission. Randy Shore reports. (Vancouver Sun)

http://vancouversun.com/news/local-news/what-is-the-future-of-bcs-iconic-fish

Filed under: Puget Sound | Tagged: , | Comments Off on What is the future of B.C.’s iconic fish? -Vancouver Sun

Neutral Weather Pattern Sets Up ‘Anything Goes’ Northwest Winter – KUOW

Posted on September 14, 2016 by Al Bergstein

I think this is good news.

What kind of weather might the Northwest be in for this fall and winter? Well, one meaningful clue came when federal forecasters at the National Weather Service Climate Prediction Center Thursday dropped their “La Niña Watch.” La Niña and its opposite, El Niño, are tropical climate patterns that can strongly influence snowfall and temperatures in the Pacific Northwest. La Niña is characterized by unusually cold surface waters in the equatorial Pacific Ocean. For much of this year, federal forecasters thought a mild La Niña was developing. But no longer. Kathie Dello, deputy director of the Oregon Climate Service at Oregon State University, said the outlook has now been dialed back to “ENSO neutral” in weather-speak — or La Nada. Tom Banse reports. (KUOW)

http://kuow.org/post/neutral-weather-pattern-sets-anything-goes-northwest-winter

Filed under: Puget Sound | Tagged: | Comments Off on Neutral Weather Pattern Sets Up ‘Anything Goes’ Northwest Winter – KUOW

As salmon dwindle, whales die – National Geographic

Posted on September 14, 2016 by Al Bergstein

It’s highly unlikely that the government will tear down Snake River dams for the salmon. Glad they asked the Governor. If any modern Governor would champion this idea, it’s Jay.

Governor Jay Inslee visited the San Juan Islands over Labor Day weekend for two reasons: to secure voters, and to get a little peace and quiet. While he did find those two things, he was also confronted with something else—orca advocates seeking help for the region’s Southern Resident killer whales. On the morning of September 3, atop Mount Grant, Inslee listened to the pleas of the orca group to remove dams from the Snake River to help replenish wild salmon stocks. In turn, he asked the group—which included both concerned scientists and citizens—questions about the importance of Columbia-Snake River Basin and its salmon to the orcas. The answer: With dams on the Columbia, there are fewer salmon, and with fewer salmon, the orcas will continue starving to death. Carl Safina and Erica Cirino write. (National Geographic)

http://voices.nationalgeographic.com/2016/09/13/as-salmon-dwindle-whales-die/

Filed under: Puget Sound | Tagged: | 1 Comment »

Sound Toxins Volunteer – PTMSC

Posted on September 7, 2016 by Al Bergstein

We have an opening for a Sound Toxins volunteer. The Sound Toxins project looks for bio-toxin producing phytoplankton by collecting water samples and using our lab microscope to find culprit plankton. 

Our volunteers survey one of four different sites and serve as the early warning about harmful algae blooms (HAB) in our area. This is one of the more rigorous science projects we do, but no prior experience is necessary. Visit SoundToxins.org for more information.

A mid-winter information session about HABs at NOAA NW Fisheries Science Center in Seattle is open to our volunteers. 

For more information, contact Betsy Carlson at bcarlson@ptmsc.org or 360-385-5582 x301. 

Filed under: Puget Sound | Tagged: | Comments Off on Sound Toxins Volunteer – PTMSC

International Coastal Cleanup – PTMSC

Posted on September 7, 2016 by Al Bergstein

Help keep our area beaches clean

Saturday, September 17

PTMSC is serving as the area coordinator for the Port Townsend-area beaches. If you’re interested in being part of the International Coastal Cleanup, you can register and find more information at Washington CoastSavers. Choose any Port Townsend-area beach as your cleanup site. Just remember to check in with us first at the Food Co-op between 12-3.

Filed under: Puget Sound | Tagged: | Comments Off on International Coastal Cleanup – PTMSC

Youth Activists Demand Tougher Limits On Climate Pollution – KNKX

Posted on September 7, 2016 by Al Bergstein

The first news we’ve posted from the new KNKX (formerly KPLU!). So happy that they were able to stay independent. I’ve stopped all donations to KUOW this year to protest their underhanded way of attempting to buy out the competition, and their endless repetitive news stories. As to this news, all I can say is, “Go Kids! Don’t Stop! It’s your future.”

The Washington kids who filed suit against the state Department of Ecology to get tougher limits on carbon pollution say current policies don’t go far enough. Together with their backers, they’ve unveiled more aggressive legislation they say would protect their constitutional right to clean air.  In April, a King County Superior Court judge ordered the state Department of Ecology to issue an emissions reduction rule by the end of the year and to consult with the young plaintiffs about the latest science before making recommendations to the legislature in 2017.  This was after eight youngsters filed suit in cooperation with the national group, Our Children’s Trust, which has brought similar cases across the country. Bellamy Pailthorp reports. (KNKX)

http://knkx.org/post/youth-activists-demand-tougher-limits-climate-pollution

Filed under: Climate Change, Puget Sound | Tagged: | Comments Off on Youth Activists Demand Tougher Limits On Climate Pollution – KNKX

Major oil spill response improvements planned for B.C. -CBC

Posted on September 7, 2016 by Al Bergstein

Good news from our friends up north. A very positive step from the Trudeau government after years of neglect by the Harper regime.

The organization responsible for cleaning up oil spills around Vancouver and B.C.’s South Coast has plans for major improvements to its facilities and spill response times — but the $200 million upgrades come with a catch: they won’t go ahead if the Kinder Morgan Trans Mountain pipeline expansion project isn’t approved. Western Canada Marine Response Corporation (WCMRC) currently has about 17 vessels ready for duty around Vancouver’s harbour. The proposed upgrades include a new $10-million spill response base a little west of the Iron Workers Memorial Bridge in Burrard Inlet.  Rafferty Baker reports. (CBC)

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/wcmrc-oil-spill-response-improvements-planned-1.3750572

Filed under: Puget Sound | Tagged: , | Comments Off on Major oil spill response improvements planned for B.C. -CBC

Marine Resources Facing Climate Change – Port Angeles 9/28

Posted on September 7, 2016 by Al Bergstein

If you know people who might want to better understand the changes we are facing now and into the future, this is a good place to start. 2016-climate-change-workshop-flyer

Filed under: Puget Sound | Tagged: | Comments Off on Marine Resources Facing Climate Change – Port Angeles 9/28

Invasive Crab Found For First Time In Washington’s Inland Saltwaters – NW Sportsman Magazine

Posted on September 3, 2016 by Al Bergstein

On top of everything else, now this.

A San Juan Islands beach survey turned up an “unexpected and unwelcome” discovery earlier this week: a raving mad crab.

It’s the first European green crab found in Puget Sound.

http://nwsportsmanmag.com/headlines/invasive-crab-found-for-first-time-in-washingtons-inland-saltwaters/

Filed under: Puget Sound | Tagged: , | Comments Off on Invasive Crab Found For First Time In Washington’s Inland Saltwaters – NW Sportsman Magazine

‘Local Waters’ Course offered by WSU Extension – WSU

Posted on September 1, 2016 by Al Bergstein

Want to know more about stream ecology, salmon, water quality and habitat restoration? WSU Extension is offering a Watershed Stewards class to be held Thursdays, September 22 to October 27 from 9 am to 4 pm in Port Townsend. This lively, engaging venue combines classroom lectures by regional experts with fabulous field trips to special protected areas all over East Jefferson County. It’s designed for anyone interested in freshwater streams, salmon and watershed resources.  

 Applications are being accepted through September 16th. Classes are held primarily in Port Townsend, with field trips destinations from Discovery Bay to Hood Canal. Class participants also commit to 40 hours of volunteering with local organizations such as WSU Extension, Jefferson Land Trust, Jefferson Conservation District, the North Olympic Salmon Coalition and others. Volunteer activities include stream and salmon monitoring, public outreach, and habitat restoration. Cost is $160.  Scholarships are available. See http://extension.wsu.edu/jefferson/nrs/wsu-watershed-stewards/ for more info or contact Bridget Gregg, Bridget.gregg@wsu.edu or Cheryl Lowe, Cheryl.lowe@wsu.edu.  

Contact:  Bridget Gregg, WSU Extension

bridget.gregg@wsu.edu, 360-379-5610 x 210, cell 360-531-0413

Filed under: Events, Puget Sound | Tagged: | Comments Off on ‘Local Waters’ Course offered by WSU Extension – WSU

Study One Of First To Document Ecological Consequences Of Amphetamine Pollution In Urban Streams – ES&T

Posted on August 30, 2016 by Al Bergstein

If they are in streams in Baltimore, they likely are here too.

Pharmaceutical and illicit drugs are present in streams in Baltimore, Maryland. At some sites, amphetamine concentrations are high enough to alter the base of the aquatic food web.

So reports a new study released today in the journal Environmental Science & Technology, which is one of the first to explore the ecological consequences of stimulant pollution in urban streams.

“As society continues to grapple with aging wastewater infrastructure and escalating pharmaceutical and illicit drug use, we need to consider collateral damages to our freshwater resources.

http://www.cbbulletin.com/437365.aspx

From the Journal Environmental Science & Technology

Filed under: Puget Sound | Tagged: , | Comments Off on Study One Of First To Document Ecological Consequences Of Amphetamine Pollution In Urban Streams – ES&T

Eroded Elwha River beach transformed after armoring removed – PDN

Posted on August 30, 2016 by Al Bergstein

It’s amazing how fast nature can return itself when given an opportunity to do so.

Experts were surprised by how quickly the beach was transformed and the shorebirds and otters returned

Eroded Elwha River beach transformed after armoring removed

Filed under: Puget Sound | Tagged: | Comments Off on Eroded Elwha River beach transformed after armoring removed – PDN

First Hard Proof that Net Pen Salmon Eat Wild Species – Alexandra Morton

Posted on August 26, 2016 by Al Bergstein

The raging controversy over net pens, both here and in Canada, just got a bit more intense. The first hard evidence that net pen salmon are eating wild stocks of herring, that we as taxpayers are paying millions to try and restore. The net pen fish are probably also eating other juvenile wild fish. As one example of what this might mean to us, there have been oldtime fishermen I’ve spoken to, who claim that when the net pens went in on south side of Bainbridge Island, fishing collapsed in Agate Pass. Coincidence? Maybe. But no serious study has ever been made, that I can find, on whether there were problems caused by the net pens being introduced there.

This may end up being one of the most important environmental news stories of the year for the Pacific Northwest, especially at this point in time, due to the Washington State Department of Ecology continuing it’s PR campaign to say that net pens are ecologically ok for Puget Sound waters. It’s time to continue the call for a total ban on net pens throughout our Sound, and the greater Salish Sea. The little amount of science having been done on this industry is incomplete, and focuses only on whether the sea bottom, directly under and around the pens is restoreable. NOAA has never (from what I’ve tried to find) looked at the wider issues that implementation of pens may pose on wild stocks, either of salmon or herring, let alone whether locations where pens have been tried and failed, have ever recovered as NOAA claims they should. They can start right here in Port Townsend Bay, and investigate the sands just below where the last pens were located some decades ago.

UPDATE: since this article a person who is employed by an aquaculture operation, laughed off my concerns about farmed fish eating herring and wild stocks. “Of course they do!” was his answer. I had to remind him that this is the way this always goes. The industry denies any impact until confronted with their impact, then tries to laugh it off or bring out their shills to discount any attempt to bring science (that they don’t control) to the table.  Sorry friend, but your lack of science to support your industry is going to ultimately bring you down. Live it up while you can.

“On August 23, 2016 I put a Go Pro camera on a pole and submerged it in a salmon farm run by Marine Harvest.”

https://www.voyageforsalmon.ca/first-hard-evidence/

Filed under: Puget Sound | Tagged: , | Comments Off on First Hard Proof that Net Pen Salmon Eat Wild Species – Alexandra Morton

Cyber Hack Shuts Down Hunting, Fishing License Sales In 3 Northwest States -KPLU

Posted on August 26, 2016 by Al Bergstein

What is disturbing about this is that you have to give detailed information to the state to get licenses, including phone numbers, birth dates and social security numbers. Why this information is needed by the state for such a simple license is unknown. And the fact that they can’t even protect our data from attack after getting it should be grounds for a lawsuit. I would bet, if we were able to know, that this database was not encrypted, had not been updated and had a simple password like “administrator” for the password. Is there a decent law firm out there, that can start suing the state to demand adequate protection of our information?

Online fishing and hunting license sales have now been suspended in Washington, Oregon and Idaho following a hacking incident. A Washington state official says some 7 million records across the three states were compromised, but the information was not terribly sensitive. The hack involves a third-party vendor called Active Network Outdoors which calls itself the leading provider of licensing systems to the states. The company has not responded to multiple requests for comment. But Michael Cockrill, Washington’s Chief Information Officer, said the company is cooperating with an investigation that includes the FBI. Cockrill said the information that was compromised includes what you’d find on your driver’s license — but not full social security or credit card numbers — suggesting the hacker may have just been showing off. Austin Jenkins reports. (KPLU)

http://www.kplu.org/post/cyber-hack-shuts-down-hunting-fishing-license-sales-3-northwest-states

Filed under: Government, Puget Sound | Tagged: | Comments Off on Cyber Hack Shuts Down Hunting, Fishing License Sales In 3 Northwest States -KPLU

State seeks input on Puget Sound, coastal fishing rules – Olympian

Posted on August 26, 2016 by Al Bergstein


State fishery managers are holding three public meetings Aug. 29-31 to hear public comments on 2017 sportfishing rules for Puget Sound and the Washington coast. Comments can also be made online at wdfw.wa.gov through Oct. 28. After receiving 66 proposals, 11 have been advanced for additional review. State officials are seeking input on proposals that would:

  • Require fishing vessels to carry a descending device when fishing for bottom fish or halibut in areas east of the Bonilla-Tatoosh line. The devices are used to return rockfish to deep water, reducing the number of rockfish deaths due to barotrauma, which occurs when rockfish are brought to the surface quickly. (Olympian)
  • http://www.theolympian.com/outdoors/article97903167.html

Filed under: fisheries, Puget Sound | Tagged: | Comments Off on State seeks input on Puget Sound, coastal fishing rules – Olympian

Solutions sought for fish-blocking Hood Canal bridge – Kitsap Sun

Posted on August 22, 2016 by Al Bergstein

We have been reporting on this issue since before it was found. When I interviewed old timers in 2010 who had fished the Canal all their lives some told me they believed the bridge was the cause of the salmon’s demise in the Canal. That they had seen a dramatic reduction in fish since the bridge was installed. Now, we are getting real data that validates the “local knowledge” that some scoffed at. While no one is saying that the bridge should be removed, at least at this point, there is new work being done to see if there are some quick fixes that can be done to help the salmon, and the water, flow better.

A cloud of little fish loiters alongside the Hood Canal bridge’s floating lower deck. They don’t go around and they don’t go under. Instead they seem to aimlessly swirl about. Lurking nearby is a plump seal, apparently well-fed on the logjam of fish.

There’s mounting evidence that the bridge is a major fish barrier, blocking a third of migrating steelhead trout from reaching the ocean. The bridge also might hamper water circulation, lowering dissolved oxygen levels and altering the canal’s temperature and chemistry.

http://www.kitsapsun.com/news/local/solutions-sought-for-fish-blocking-hood-canal-bridge-3a5d770d-33e6-0957-e053-0100007f1cbd-390637951.html

Filed under: Puget Sound | Tagged: , , | 1 Comment »

Submarine, support vessel collide off Washington coast – AP via Q13Fox

Posted on August 22, 2016 by Al Bergstein

While not fatal to the environment (at least that we know about due to Navy secrecy), it is a reminder of how at risk our Strait and Coast are to possible radioactive contamination if one of these vessels has a catastrophic failure due to a crash. How their support vessel crashed into them is something  I hope we get more information on, from the Navy. Perhaps Derek Kilmer’s staff can ask for clarification?

BANGOR, Wash. (AP) — The Navy says a ballistic-missile submarine and a support vessel collided off the coast of Washington state.

There were no injuries from the Thursday evening incident in the Strait of Juan de Fuca involving the USS Louisiana and the offshore support vessel. In a statement, the Navy said the collision occurred during routine operations.

From http://q13fox.com/2016/08/19/submarine-support-vessel-collide-off-washington-coast/

 

Filed under: Puget Sound | Tagged: , , | Comments Off on Submarine, support vessel collide off Washington coast – AP via Q13Fox

Nippon paper mill, cogeneration plant in Port Angeles for sale – PDN

Posted on August 12, 2016 by Al Bergstein

So often in the past, we have seen possible losses of industries used as justifications to attack environmentalists and government environmental regulations. There is often a knee jerk reaction by certain politicians using these tactics to make political hay. But before people jump to conclusions about what is triggering this sale, here’s some key facts in the article. They point to a number of issues that have nothing to do with government regulations, environmental concerns, etc. In fact, biomass has been given more than it’s fair share of government giveaways in the areas of regulations. Some might ask, “what regulations? Because it was exempted from EPA rules.

We have been reporting on those issues for over 8 years now. Search on this web site for the word “biomass” to see the whole series of articles.

What is known: Nippon has  been trying to make a living in a declining market segment, while expanding their product offerings. Apparently that hasn’t been working out.

Nippon is the only maker of telephone book paper in the United States…..Company officials have said they have been trying to move away from telephone-book paper by offering other paper products.

Also: the co-generation plant has cost them much more than expected, and apparently the manufacturer was sued by them over the defective boiler. To be clear,  biomass plants (burning of “hog fuel”) like this were allowed by a bill that was passed in the Washington State Legislature  during the height of the last decades’ fuel crisis (remember about 2004-08 when fuel was extremely expensive?). It was supported by both Kevin Van De Wege, and Steve Tharinger, among others. I asked Steve and Kevin personally at the time about the concerns but they shrugged them off. It was clear that to them, they saw biomass as a ‘job creator’ technology.

Many other environmentalists challenged the idea that burning what was essentially ‘slash’ (left over biomass from logging) was a bad idea, and that it was unproven as a technology. The bill clearly stated, at that time, that the technology was ‘experimental’ and that the legislature was going to re-evaluate it later. They never have. It’s still considered an experimental technology.  

This blog covered the protests when they happened.

EPA allows biomass to be exempt from greenhouse gas emissions rules for 3 years.

https://olyopen.net/2011/01/17/biomass-clear-of-epa-rules-for-3-years/

Protests over biomass plants being licensed.

https://olyopen.net/2012/10/17/biomass-meet-in-sequim-draws-a-crowd-of-protesterspdn/

https://olyopen.net/2012/02/22/petition-to-create-a-moratorium-on-biomass-incinerators/

Mason County biomass plant shut down.

https://olyopen.net/2011/03/14/mason-county-biomass-plant-suspended-by-owners/

Scientists disturbed at biomass as future “green” energy source.

https://olyopen.net/2011/02/07/two-views-on-future-of-biomass/

What else is known: 

The cogeneration plant was built to produce “green energy” for sale that is generated by burning biomass material.

But the plant was plagued with operational problems and higher-than-expected construction costs.

Construction ended up costing $20 million more than the original $71 million estimate projected in 2010.

Nippon and FSE Energy, which manufactured the boiler, reached a confidential, out-of-court settlement over the facility’s defective boiler and $17 million in disputed monetary charges.

Hopefully Nippon can find a buyer that can guide this plant into production of products that the market wants, and that the biomass plant finally gets working, or shut down, which may be the right thing to do. It would be interesting to understand whether the paper mill would be able to buy cost effective electricity compared to the biomass plant.

Nippon paper mill, cogeneration plant in Port Angeles for sale

Support local journalism. Subscribe to local news, such as the Peninsula Daily News

Filed under: Puget Sound | Tagged: , | 1 Comment »

DFO shutting down all salmon sports fishing on Lower Fraser to protect sockeye – Vancouver Sun

Posted on August 12, 2016 by Al Bergstein

More bad news for salmon and salmon lovers.

Fisheries and Oceans Canada has taken the extraordinary measure of shutting down all sports salmon fishing on the Lower Fraser River because of a lower-than-anticipated return of sockeye. The closure of all recreational fishing for salmon — including Chinook and possibly Chum when they arrive later in the year — is taking place so that sockeye aren’t inadvertently caught while other salmon species are being fished. Anglers can still fish for trout, steelhead and sturgeon. The closure was to go into effect one hour after sunset Thursday until further notice. It covers the mouth of the Fraser River to the Alexandra Bridge south of Hell’s Gate in the Interior, a stretch of about 200 kilometres of river. Gordon Hoekstra reports. (Vancouver Sun)

http://vancouversun.com/business/local-business/dfo-shutting-down-all-salmon-sports-fishing-on-lower-fraser-to-protect-sockeye

Filed under: fisheries, Puget Sound | Tagged: , | Comments Off on DFO shutting down all salmon sports fishing on Lower Fraser to protect sockeye – Vancouver Sun

« Previous Page — Next Page »