40k farmed salmon escape in BC…

Posted on October 27, 2009 by Al Bergstein

Another reason we should stop farming fish not native to this area.

10/24 Victoria Times-Colonist
40,000 fish escape farm–Gillnetters near Sointula report catching Atlantic salmon
By Judith Lavoie, Times Colonist

A recovery vessel working for a fish-farming company recovered about 1,100 escaped Atlantic salmon yesterday, and will continue working over the weekend to catch more of the estimated 40,000 escaped fish. The salmon got out late Wednesday evening after crews, using a pump system and pipe, removed dead fish from the two pens at Port Elizabeth on Gilford Island, said Clare Backman, director of environmental relations for Marine Harvest Canada.

The fish died because of low oxygen levels in the water, a phenomenon that occurs intermittently in the area, Backman said. “It was during that process that a hole in the net occurred,” he said.

More at
http://www.timescolonist.com/fish+escape+farm/2141317/story.html

Filed under: Puget Sound | Tagged: | Comments Off on 40k farmed salmon escape in BC…

Event – 10/28- Sierra Club—North Olympic Group Meeting.

Posted on October 24, 2009 by Al Bergstein

Please join us on Wednesday, October 28th at 6:30pm for the monthly Sierra Club – North Olympic Group meeting and learn more about the current environmental issues the Conservation Committee is working on AND future Sierra Club Outings on the Peninsula.  This month’s presentation will be from Olympic Forest Coalition Executive Director, Bonnie Phillips and will feature a presentation on Peninsula National Forest and DNR Forest Management. 

WHERE: Gardiner Community Center (980 Old Gardiner Road) 

WHEN: Wednesday, October 28th—6:30pm

Filed under: Puget Sound | Tagged: | Comments Off on Event – 10/28- Sierra Club—North Olympic Group Meeting.

Lots of whales off west Whidbey! Keep your binocs up!

Posted on October 22, 2009 by Al Bergstein

Apparently lots seen out there, might be back on Thursday.

Filed under: Puget Sound | Tagged: | Comments Off on Lots of whales off west Whidbey! Keep your binocs up!

Spike in dead sea otters…more observers see more or real issue?

Posted on October 13, 2009 by Al Bergstein

10/11 Peninsula Daily News Spike in dead sea otters catches wildlife officials’ attention By Rob Ollikainen Peninsula Daily News PORT ANGELES —

A recent spike in dead sea otter sightings has caught the attention of wildlife officials, but they say that the 12 sightings on the Washington coast in the past month could simply be the result of more witnesses. Scores of volunteers have been combing the beaches to find sick or dead sea birds affected by a brown algae bloom that caused the death of hundreds of scoters in mid-September. Scientists believe a soap-like substance from the algae stripped the birds’ feathers of a protective oil that makes them water repellent, causing them to die of hypothermia. Deanna Lynch, a U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service biologist, said there is no proof that the sea otter strandings have anything to do with the algae bloom. More at http://www.peninsuladailynews.com/article/20091011/news/310119987

Filed under: Puget Sound | Tagged: | Comments Off on Spike in dead sea otters…more observers see more or real issue?

Why we remained concerned about man made chemicals in the water…

Posted on October 8, 2009 by Al Bergstein

I know, you have heard so much concern about everything that you assume that everything gives you cancer. I understand. Today’s story though is more proof to the pudding that we need to continue to get more research, and fight for getting the chemical companies to prove their products are safe, rather than get down the road and find out we have been affecting an entire generation of children. Is that too much to ask?  

10/6 USA Today Plastic chemical linked aggression in toddler girls

 By Liz Szabo, USA TODAY A new study adds to the growing concern that prenatal exposure to the chemical bisphenol A could harm children’s development. In the study of 249 pregnant women, the first to examine the effects of BPA on children’s behavior, researchers found that girls whose mothers had the highest levels of BPA during pregnancy were more aggressive and hyperactive at age 2 than other girls. Findings appear today in the journal Environmental Health Perspectives. Girls were more likely to be aggressive if their mothers had high levels of BPA — an estrogen-like chemical used in many consumer products — early in pregnancy or at about 16 weeks, the study says. A typical pregnancy lasts 40 weeks. More at http://www.usatoday.com/news/health/2009-10-06-bpa-pregnancy_N.htm

Filed under: Puget Sound | Tagged: | Comments Off on Why we remained concerned about man made chemicals in the water…

New study out on how household chemicals are entering the Sound and Straits.

Posted on September 30, 2009 by Al Bergstein

People For Puget Sound and the Washington Toxics Coalition  have released the first comprehensive study on how the group of chemicals called Phthalates enter the Sound. These man made chemicals, present in many plastics, fragrances, deodorants, perfumes, lotions, hair products and cleaners, are apparently ending up on our clothing attached to dust. This dust can come from vinyl flooring, and many other common household products. Once on our clothes, they get washed down into the Sound with our laundry.  We need to look at how we ban these chemicals from our homes, but something you can do today is stop using Tide, which apparently is the one laundry soap with these chemicals in it.  The laundry soap Seventh Generation tested free of Phthalates. While the sample is too small to be definitive, the widespread findings, from various sample sites, means that a great deal more study is needed, and soon, if we plan to clean up the Sound by 2020! However, the implication given the finding of these in every location, can easily be extrapolated. We need to and can act now.

The Recommendations:

  • The State should act to ban these dangerous chemicals and have manufacturers replace them with safer alternatives.
  • The State should take action to phase out these chemicals now, by helping companies to move to these alternatives with technical support.
  • Companies should clearly label their products
  • The public should demand phthalate free products at their stores.
  • The Puget Sound Partnership should support these recommendations and act on them.

The study can be found, in it’s entirety, at http://www.pugetsound.org/pressroom/press-releases/092909drain

This is the kind of work your membership in either of these organizations helps pay for. Please consider joining if aren’t already a member!

Filed under: Puget Sound | Tagged: | Comments Off on New study out on how household chemicals are entering the Sound and Straits.

Squid news…Kitsap Sun update on the invasion of the Humboldt Squid

Posted on September 29, 2009 by Al Bergstein

9/25 Kitsap Sun–Researchers Wondering Why Jumbo Squid Suddenly Moved North–By Christopher Dunagan

BREMERTON —
The Humboldt squid, a voracious predator that can grow to 100 pounds in two years, has captured the attention of researchers all along the West Coast.

Thousands of the mysterious creatures appeared suddenly off the Washington Coast and Strait of Juan de Fuca this summer. Some researchers say the aggressive animal, which has generally stayed south of California, has the potential to disrupt local ecosystems in more northern areas.

Why the squid arrived here and how long it will stay are just two of the questions researchers would like to answer. Since the squid eat just about anything — including young salmon — fisheries managers are looking for answers that can help them protect vulnerable species.

This week, Greg Bargmann, a biologist with the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, and William Gilly, a Stanford University researcher, went about 20 miles offshore of Westport to catch a few dozen squid. Stomach contents were examined in about 30 animals. Another 24 were implanted with acoustic tags, which will allow researchers to track their movements through a network of acoustic receivers up and down the West Coast, including Canada.

More at
http://www.kitsapsun.com/news/2009/sep/25/researchers-wondering-why-jumbo-squid-suddenly/

Filed under: Puget Sound | Tagged: | Comments Off on Squid news…Kitsap Sun update on the invasion of the Humboldt Squid

Action Item: NOAA meetings on Killer Whale protections… you can testify…

Posted on September 24, 2009 by Al Bergstein

Killer Whale Recovery Needs Urgent Action on Salmon Recovery & Toxic Pollution Control—-People For Puget Sound today urged its members and supporters to tell the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Fisheries Service (NMFS) that protecting Southern Resident killer whales should focus on more critical actions needed to protect orcas in addition to new rules on vessel traffic.

“Although vessel operations can be part of the solution, we are disappointed that NOAA continues to delay on more critical actions like restoring salmon runs, reducing toxic pollutants and reducing noise impacts from sonar,” said Kathy Fletcher, executive director.

“Restoring salmon runs requires removing dams, restoring salmon habitat, requiring land use restrictions, improving water quality, and changing harvest and hatchery practices,” said Fletcher. “Without food, the Southern Resident population will not survive in Puget Sound.”

According to Fletcher, lack of public awareness about Puget Sound issues is one of the major impediments to successful protection and restoration. Whale watching is one activity that reaches thousands of people every year with compelling reasons to protect our marine waters. “It would be supreme irony to focus so intently on restricting whale watching while the whales themselves go extinct for lack of sufficient non-toxic food,” said Fletcher.

The federal agency is holding three public hearings on its proposed new rules on vessel traffic, the first hearing being held Thursday evening in Anacortes.

Regarding the proposed vessel rules:

•    People For Puget Sound supports the distance (200 yards) and no intentional parking in the path of traveling whales
•    People For Puget Sound agrees in concept with a “no-go zone” akin to the Robson Bight protected area in British Columbia, but has concerns about the scientific basis, actual size, exemptions for some types of operations, access to public parks, unintended consequences, feasibility of enforcement, and other questions.
•    People For Puget Sound suggests that NOAA/NMFS convene a vessel operator stakeholder group  that includes commercial fishing operators, container and cruise ship operators, small recreational boat companies, recreational boating and fishing groups, research vessel operators, military, whale watching companies and others to discuss operational issues and ensure that fair treatment is given to all. Tribal fishing operators should also be part of a further consultation process.

According to Fletcher, enforcement is a key pragmatic and fairness issue that should be addressed regarding both existing and proposed regulations.  Without a much-improved strategy for education and enforcement, it makes no sense to increase restrictions.

“One of the major vessel issues is inappropriate and harassing behavior by recreational boaters who are apparently unaware even of the existing limits,” said Fletcher. “Another issue is how to address the international nature of the problem, reaching Canadian boaters and whale watch operators in an effective way.”

The NOAA/NMFS meetings will be:
* Sept. 24, 2009, 7-9 p.m., Pier One Main Warehouse, 100 Commercial Avenue, Anacortes
* Sept. 30, 2009, 7-9 p.m., Seattle Aquarium, Pier 59, Seattle
* Oct. 5, 2009, 7-9 p.m., The Grange Hall, First Street, Friday Harbor

# # #
Save Our Sound.

People For Puget Sound works with people for a clean and healthy Sound. Since 1991 we have protected and restored habitat through education and action. www.pugetsound.org

Filed under: Government, Puget Sound, Salmon | Tagged: , | Comments Off on Action Item: NOAA meetings on Killer Whale protections… you can testify…

How might tidal project affect marine life? PUD gets grant to find out – Everett Herald

Posted on September 22, 2009 by Al Bergstein

Given that they are planning to set these up off Admiralty Inlet, this is local news.

9/19 Everett Herald -By Krista J. Kapralos–Herald Writer

The Snohomish County PUD received a $600,000 federal grant to study marine life and the potential impacts of underwater turbines.

The grant is among nearly two dozen, totaling $14.6 million, awarded this week by the federal Department of Energy. Each grant will be used to study hydropower and hydrokinetic energy.   “We’re breaking new ground here and leading the nation in the development of this clean, renewable technology,” PUD General Manager Steve Klein said.

More at
http://www.heraldnet.com/article/20090919/NEWS01/709199901/-1/NEWS#How.might.tidal.project.affect.marine.life.PUD.gets.grant.to.find.out

Filed under: Puget Sound | Tagged: | Comments Off on How might tidal project affect marine life? PUD gets grant to find out – Everett Herald

Great turnout for Poisoned Waters film

Posted on September 22, 2009 by Al Bergstein

A crowd of about 50 people turned out on Monday night to watch the edited version of Poisoned Waters, the film on Puget Sound and Chesapeake Bay. The version that was shown was edited to just the Puget Sound issues. Afterwards, representatives from  WSU, Local 2020, Jefferson County Marine Resources Committee, People For Puget Sound and others answered questions by the audience. There was a great deal of emotion, and hope for solving this problem. The takeaway is that people need to continue to educate themselves of the problem, the issues that can be used to solve the problem, and what steps they can take, whether small or significant. Local issues include salmon recovery, beachwatchers, WIRA (watershed planning), and many more. Check out the Port Townsend Marine Science center to get a sense of the hands on in the water. We have many resources here.

I want to thank Pat Pierson of WSU and the MRC, along with Linda Kay Smith of Local 2020 for showing the film. There was obviously a lot of strong feelings about the film, and I only wish the film ended on a more positive note!   For anyone who wants more info on the Storm Water Runoff issue that was highlighted in the film, you can go to People for Puget Sound’s web site and follow the links to the Invest in Clean Water Photo Campaign, which supports passing a bill to help fund first stage cleanup of storm water runoff into Puget Sound. http://www.pugetsound.org/programs/policy/photo_campaign

Filed under: Puget Sound | Tagged: | Comments Off on Great turnout for Poisoned Waters film

Technical volunteers needed: Estuary & Salmon restoration program

Posted on September 16, 2009 by Al Bergstein

Dear Puget Sound Restoration Community:   Estuary and Salmon Restoration Program is developing two projects to develop adaptive management and monitoring frameworks to guide ESRP program expenditures and terms through its project awards, enhancements, and programmatic monitoring.  One project will focus on evaluating the restoration of beach systems, the other on river delta systems (per Shipman 2008).

These frameworks will define project types within each system, identify critical uncertainties among those project types, and propose scalable strategies for observing and comparing projects.  ESRP programmatic learning hopes to benefit to the restoration community by informing project selection and design decisions.

 

To help complete this task we would like to develop a strong and distributed local technical network that can play the following roles:

  1. Provide a rigorous critique of project evaluation strategies.
  2. Identify knowledge and learning needs that are shared by many, which can be supported through targeted program spending.
  3. Provide rigorous critique of ESRP products that emerge from implementation of these strategies.
  4. Provide a conduit for distribution of products from other watersheds and project workgroups.

 

You may nominate yourself if you like—indication of interest does not commit you to participation.  Please forward this request within your networks.  We are looking for the following qualities:

 

  1. Strong technical knowledge in an area of expertise and demonstrated commitment to developing and applying emerging restoration science to on-the-ground projects
  2. Strong and active personal networks within local restoration communities
  3. Understanding of the value of restoration within ecosystem-based management

                                          

Please respond and provide email, phone, name, field of expertise, and organizational affiliation with your nomination, and indicate if they are being nominated to support work on BEACHES or RIVER DELTAS.

 

As we evaluate alternative structures for managing a technical information network to support on-the-ground nearshore restoration, we may be able to offer limited compensation for specific tasks as appropriate.  We hope to benefit both from diversity of geography as well as diversity of expertise.   Attached is a fact sheet describing the overall ESRP learning strategy.  We hope to avoid duplication of effort and integrate into existing professional symposia and are open to suggestions or inquiries.

 

Best Wishes,

 

Paul R. Cereghino

Estuary and Salmon Restoration Program Manager

NOAA Restoration Center  | WA Dept of Fish and Wildlife

360-902-2603 (office)  |  206-948-6360 (cell)

paul.cereghino@dfw.wa.gov  |  paul.r.cereghino@noaa.gov

Filed under: Puget Sound | Tagged: | Comments Off on Technical volunteers needed: Estuary & Salmon restoration program

Action item: Contact lawmakers on Navy Testing Plan

Posted on September 16, 2009 by Al Bergstein

We have covered the proposal by the Navy to create an expanded testing range here in Admiralty Inlet before on olyopen.net. In order for you to be better informed on this, I’ve included this California site which has a good overview of the issues facing us if this goes through.

I think I agree with some who say we Washington residents should be requesting that the government hold a hearing in Washington State.  On the White House web site there is a place to put in comments. 

Read up, and make up your own mind on whether this sounds like a good idea for the waters off our shores here on the east end of Jefferson County. If you agree, you may want to send in, or call in a comment asking for such a hearing to be held locally.

http://www.californiaskywatch.com/white_house_request_comments_on_oceans.htm

Filed under: Jefferson County, Port Townsend, Puget Sound, Straits of Juan de Fuca | Tagged: , , | Comments Off on Action item: Contact lawmakers on Navy Testing Plan

Hate 150′ buffers? EPA implements 1000′ buffers for some pesticides

Posted on September 14, 2009 by Al Bergstein

While anti shoreline protection advocates yell about how horrible 150′ buffers would be to those who live near the Sound, this is worth thinking about. The EPA today has instituted much larger buffers for specific chemicals in order to protect salmon. Maybe we should all agree that 150′ doesn’t seem that bad after all!

Seattle, WA — Today, the federal Environmental Protection Agency announced plans to place additional limitations on the use of three organophosphate pesticides — chlorpyrifos, diazinon and malathion — to protect endangered and threatened salmon and steelhead in California, Idaho, Oregon and Washington.

The announcement comes in response to a series of lawsuits brought by Earthjustice aimed at removing toxic pesticides from salmon spawning streams throughout the northwest.

In response to Earthjustice litigation, the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) in November of 2008 released a “biological opinion” that set forth a plan for protecting Pacific salmon and steelhead from three toxic organophosphate pesticides. That decision came after almost a decade of legal wrangling between salmon advocates led by Earthjustice and the federal government. The biological opinion prescribed measures necessary to keep these pesticides out of water and to protect salmon populations in Washington, Oregon, California, and Idaho. The announcement from EPA today moves this work forward.

Although the experts at NMFS recommended prohibiting aerial applications of the three pesticides within 1,000 feet of salmon waters and ground applications within 500 feet of salmon waters, EPA has taken a different course. EPA believes it can achieve the same protections for salmon with buffers ranging from 100 to 1,000 feet depending on pesticide application rate and stream size. In their announcement today, EPA says it will require industry to fund and carry out monitoring of salmon streams in order to assure the pesticide restrictions work as intended.

Chlorpyrifos

•  Contaminates rivers throughout the west at levels harmful to fish or their food sources according to the U.S. Geological Survey. The basins where chlorpyrifos was detected at harmful levels include the Willamette, San Joaquin, Tulare, and the Central Columbia Basin.

•  Is “very highly toxic” to fish according to U.S. EPA’s toxicity classification system.

•  Impairs fish reproduction by reducing egg production in fish.

•  Inhibits juvenile coho salmon feeding behavior and swimming speed.

•  Harms the survival and reproduction of salmon food sources.

Diazinon

•  Contaminates rivers throughout the west at levels harmful to fish or their food sources according to the U.S. Geological Survey. The basins where diazinon was detected at harmful levels include the Willamette, San Joaquin, Tulare, the Central Columbia Basin and Puget Sound. It was also detected in King County, Washington streams.

•  Impairs feeding, predator avoidance, spawning, homing and migration capabilities by impeding salmon sense of smell.

•  Leads to weakened swimming activity in juvenile trout.

•  Is acutely toxic to salmon food sources.

Malathion

•  Contaminates rivers throughout the west at levels harmful to fish or their food sources according to the U.S. Geological Survey. The basins where malathion was detected at harmful levels include the Willamette, San Joaquin, Tulare, and the Central Columbia Basin. It was also detected in King County, Washington streams.

•  Leads to weakened swimming activity in juvenile trout.  

http://www.earthjustice.org/news/press/2009/epa-announces-alternative-plan-to-protect-salmon-from-pesticides.html

Apparently this may affect berry growers in our area and probably others. The lawsuit was brought after efforts to get the EPA to be proactive failed.  Malathion is routinely used as fogger in the midwest for mosquito abatement as well as head lice treatment. It was first tested on poor populations in Puerto Rico slums in the 50s to combat malaria. EPA updated the risk assessment for Malathion in 2005.  There appears to be some concern that “research in the 1989 Bulletin of Environmental Contamination Toxicology stated 25% of the malathion is still present in the water after two weeks and 10% is still present after 30 days” http://www.safe2use.com/poisons-pesticides/pesticides/malathion/genetics.htm

A web site that is worth looking at on the subject is http://www.chem-tox.com/malathion/research/index.htm#intestine which details medical concerns around the world with Malathion. Use discretion with that site, it’s validity is unknown to me.  He does seem to refer to legitimate medical research articles in peer reviewed journals.

Filed under: Government, Jefferson County, Places, Puget Sound, Salmon, Sea Life | Tagged: , | 1 Comment »

Bodega Bay (CA) scientists weigh impact of ocean acid levels on shellfish

Posted on September 10, 2009 by Al Bergstein

Related to our threads on ocean acidification, and it’s possible impact on our multimillion dollar shellfish industry.
By BOB NORBERG <mailto:bob.norberg@pressdemocrat.com>
THE PRESS DEMOCRAT 9/6 Press Democrat

The danger from increasing levels of acid in the ocean, which could devastate California’s shellfish industry, is under investigation by Bodega Bay scientists.

It is painstaking work that requires the team to wade through knee-deep mud at Tomales Bay to collect native Olympic oysters and then raise their young in salt-water tanks under conditions that mimic climate change.

“Very little is known about how ocean acidification is unfolding, other than it is,” said Susan Williams, director of the Bodega Marine Laboratory, which is part of UC Davis. “We are already seeing dramatic effects.”

The evidence is seen in the dissolving shells of some mollusks and disappearing mussel beds. And researchers, with the backing of more than $4 million in University of California and federal funds, are trying to identify the long-term consequences of the ocean’s changing chemistry.

More at
http://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/20090906/articles/909069979

Filed under: Climate Change, Jefferson County, Puget Sound, Sea Life | Tagged: , | Comments Off on Bodega Bay (CA) scientists weigh impact of ocean acid levels on shellfish

Big Squid off Clallam Bay? – PDN

Posted on September 9, 2009 by Al Bergstein

Mother nature never fails to amaze me….

9/9 Peninsula Daily News –Huge squid appear en masse around Clallam Bay/Sekiu — why?
Tasha Dawley, a manager at Olson’s Resort, said one of these Humboldt squid measured 9 ½ feet long, and another weighed 54 pounds.
More at
http://www.peninsuladailynews.com/article/20090909/news/309099988

Filed under: Puget Sound | Tagged: | Comments Off on Big Squid off Clallam Bay? – PDN

Astonishing Derelict Gear Project findings

Posted on August 29, 2009 by Al Bergstein

I attended the NW Straits quarterly meeting in Port Townsend on Friday, and was able to stay to hear the presentation by Jeff June, who has led the research project on crab mortality rates because of lost crab pots, both commercial pots and sport pots. Jeff’s project, which is now headed to a peer review magazine process, shows that as many as 375,000 crabs might be being killed in Puget Sound and the Straits by lost crab pots. These pots, of which most of us who have crabbed have lost at one time or another, can continue to kill crabs and other sea life for up to and over 320 days! The findings were far worse than anyone imagined.
What’s to be done about this? The expected outcome of this study are:

  • Greater education of the public about proper use of crab pots.
  • Perhaps changes to the laws about crab pot use.
  • A likelyhood that crab pot makers can change the way the pots are made to breakdown under water faster.
  • A possible option to retrofit existing crab pots (would require manufacturers to come up with a retrofit kit).

If you use a crab pot, be sure to use proper rot cord, make sure the depth and currents won’t carry away your pot, and don’t put your pots in the middle of a heavily traversed boating lane. These seem to be some of the most common reasons for derelict gear.

You can read the education web site for proper use of escape cord (cotton instead of nylon) at: http://www.escapecord.org/

Additionally, Jeff reported on the drift net project, removing underwater nets that have been lost and continue to kill wildlife.  His teams have worked 68 days so far, and removed 92 nets. They hope to work 768 days total, and aim to remove between 2500 and 3000 known nets. Surveying underwater with side scan sonar and reports from fishermen have been responsible for mapping the locations of these nets.  One that was found was 1800′ long and stretched 100′ deep! Most nets are only a couple hundred feet in length.

Thanks to Jeff June and his staff for the great work! To read more about Derelict Gear, see this web site: http://www.derelictgear.org/

Since 2002, the Northwest Straits Initiative has removed more than 1,900 derelict crab pots, weighing over 48,000 pounds, and saving thousands of crabs from incidental death each year. 

The Northwest Straits Initiative is a citizen-driven, Congressionally-authorized program to restore and protect the valuable marine resources and habitats in northern Puget Sound and the Strait of Juan de Fuca. Marine Resources Committees in seven counties set local priorities, investigate conditions, sponsor restoration and outreach projects, and recommend science-based marine policy to their respective local governments.

Filed under: Projects, Puget Sound, Straits of Juan de Fuca | Tagged: | Comments Off on Astonishing Derelict Gear Project findings

NY Times on the local fish net removal project

Posted on August 26, 2009 by Al Bergstein

Great work by our local NW Straits Initiative team (with kudos’ to Ginny Broadhurst and Jeff June), who have brought back $4.6 million in stimulus money to fund the efforts to get divers to go down and remove sunken abandoned fishing nets (known as ‘derelict gear removal’). The nets, which continue to kill sealife, have been mapped prior to this, and will now be removed. 40 new local jobs are created for a few years, some local boats are hired to get the divers down, and the Sound and Straits are helped be rid of the scourge of the abandoned nets. A win all around for taxpayers. Read the whole story at The New York Times (link below) or link to the NW Straits website off the left side of this page:

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/08/25/us/25fishnets.html?ref=todayspaper

Filed under: Port Townsend, Puget Sound, Straits of Juan de Fuca | Tagged: , , , | Comments Off on NY Times on the local fish net removal project

Shellfish ruling surprises farmers – AP

Posted on August 24, 2009 by Al Bergstein

8/22  -PHUONG LE; The Associated Press  —A landmark deal struck between Puget Sound Indian tribes and commercial growers two years ago was meant to end years of rancor over shellfish harvesting rights.
But some growers were surprised to learn this summer that some of their tidelands might not qualify under the settlement, potentially opening them up to tribal harvest.
In 2007, 17 Puget Sound tribes agreed to give up treaty rights to harvest shellfish from commercial shellfish beds, as long as the beds had been actively farmed before Aug. 28, 1995. In return, the tribe got $33 million in state and federal money to buy and lease tidelands for their own use. Commercial growers submitted documents insisting 864 parcels should be exempt from the settlements, but in papers filed with a federal court in Seattle in June, the tribes objected to half of those.

More at
http://www.theolympian.com/environment/story/947282.html

Filed under: First Nations, Government, Puget Sound, Shellfish | Tagged: , | Comments Off on Shellfish ruling surprises farmers – AP

Study says plastic decomposes at sea – AP story

Posted on August 23, 2009 by Al Bergstein

This story has personal relevency. I traveled to Belize two years ago, the first thing I found in the water when I waded in was a plastic bag from Whole Foods!  If you have more interest in this story, go to the PT Marine Science center and see their exhibets about plastics in the ocean. They surveyed many locations on our Jefferson County and other shorelines, and there was plastic pellets, the things that plastic breaks down into, in all samples…we are slowly drowning in plastic. Use reusable cloth bags whenever you can.

8/19 Associated Press

WASHINGTON — Environmentalists have long denounced plastic as a long-lasting pollutant that doesn’t break down. A new study indicates that, in the oceans, plastic does decompose, but says that’s not a good thing either.

Thousands of tons of plastic debris wind up in the oceans every year, some of it washing up on coasts, some being swirled by currents into the Great Pacific Garbage Patch between California and Hawaii, said to be larger than Texas.

“Plastics in daily use are generally assumed to be quite stable,” Katsuhiko Saido, a chemist at Nihon University, Chiba, Japan, said in a statement.

“We found that plastic in the ocean actually decomposes as it is exposed to the rain and sun and other environmental conditions, giving rise to yet another source of global contamination that will continue into the future,” said Saido, who presented his findings at the annual meeting of the American Chemical Society on Wednesday.

Saido reported that the decomposing plastics release potentially toxic chemicals such as bisphenol A and PS oligomer, which can disrupt the functioning of hormones in animals.

http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5gaolRAyc0v4iksHYbD0I1l74t4TgD9A67GSG0

Filed under: Puget Sound | Tagged: | Comments Off on Study says plastic decomposes at sea – AP story

Jefferson County SMP update – new info

Posted on August 21, 2009 by Al Bergstein

The Jefferson County Department of Community Development has weighed in with their recommendations to the County Commissioners on the draft SMP update from the Planning Commission’s modified SMP. As you may recall, after the DCD and assorted scientific and citizen’s advisory committees met over the last three years and drafted a decent start to the SMP, enforcing solid environmental regulations that could protect our shorelines better, the Planning Commission, headed by an owner of an geoduck farm, made major modifications to the document, including gutting it of conditional permitting of aquaculture. The DCD staff, has made a series of recommendations, (document available from the http://www.co.jefferson.wa.us/commdevelopment/Shoreline_DCDStaffRec.htm ), and we like what we see.  They call for reinstituting the conditional permitting on aquaculture, prohibit net pen fish farming, request reinstating the 150′ buffer and ask to restore the 10′ mininum setup for building on shorelines. These were all things recommended by science and the majority of citizen’s advisory committees. As the amount of actual lots that will be affected by this is small, and many workarounds exist, both for existing structures and new construction, we support these changes.  We hope you will come out on September 8th to the next county commissioners meeting and show your support by testifying in support of these staff requests for changes.

Filed under: Government, Jefferson County, Port Townsend, Puget Sound, Straits of Juan de Fuca | Tagged: , , | Comments Off on Jefferson County SMP update – new info

« Previous Page — Next Page »