For our Daily Bucket today: the latest in my intermittent local news series.
This month’s focus is on changes in a few local marine populations.
September 2023
NEWS FROM THE SALISH SEA, PACIFIC NORTHWEST
The Salish Sea is a bioregion in western North America, composed of an inland waterway, many islands, and the surrounding watershed of towering forested mountains, big rivers and their floodplains.
This bioregion has a mild climate and diverse habitats, but the wealth of nature and wildlife is threatened by human activity and population pressure. Metropolitan development occupies much of the lowlands, from Olympia, Washington through Seattle, Everett, Bellingham and north into Vancouver, British Columbia.
Anthropogenic climate change is amplifying environmental problems here as elsewhere.
HERE ARE RECENT STORIES EXPLORING THE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT OF HUMAN ACTIVITY IN THIS REGION.
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Due to global warming:
Warmer water brings big, exotic species into the Salish Sea
Marine heat is causing some unusual species to show up in Puget Sound and the Salish Sea. Recent reports include two sightings in August of six-foot-long sunfish near Tacoma, Wash. Also recently seen: a huge bluefin tuna in the San Juan Islands. Bellamy Pailthorp reports. (KNKX)
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Due to large scale commercial poultry industry worldwide:
Bird flu outbreak in Washington possibly spreading to seals
A bird flu outbreak around Fort Flagler State Park near Port Townsend may be spreading to mammals, according to the state Department of Health. As of last week, an outbreak of a deadly strain of the avian influenza had likely killed 1,700 gulls and Caspian terns on Rat Island – a small wildlife preserve near the state park, and its adjacent shores. The island is currently closed due to the outbreak. Laurel Demkovich reports. (Washington State Standard)
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Good news! Due to the end of commercial whaling:
How the humpback whale made a massive comeback in the Salish Sea. Seattle Times
The return of the humpback whale to greater numbers than observed in decades is part of a larger revival of marine mammals in the Salish Sea. In 1966 commercial hunting of humpbacks was banned by the International Whaling Commission. The commission placed a moratorium on commercial hunting of all whales worldwide in 1986.
Humpback whales find their voice
During the fall months, the Salish Sea comes alive with “whups,” “moans,” “growls” and an assorted variety of “creaks,” “trumpets,” “buzzes” and other humpback whale vocalizations. Jeff Rice reports. (Salish Sea Currents)
However, as near shore whales they are now they’re more likely to encounter human hazards:
B.C. Ferries vessel likely hit whale for second time since late July
When a humpback surfaced in front of the southbound ferry on Tuesday evening, the crew put the engines in reverse but believe the 152-metre-long ferry hit the whale despite their efforts, a company spokesperson said. Carla Wilson reports. (Times Colonist)
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Two salmon stories -
Change due to extreme Canadian heat/drought:
Environmental stress likely cause of fish die-off on Vancouver Island
Fisheries and Oceans Canada has found that "stressful environmental conditions" likely killed hundreds of salmon and trout in the Cowichan River in mid-July. The cause appeared to be lesions found on the fish. These lesions tend to be caused by stress, which can be related to low oxygen and high pH levels in the water.
In a statement this week, the department said the cause appears to be low oxygen and high pH levels in the water."This can potentially be caused by the decay of algal growth, which appears to be more prevalent than usual this year. Excess algal growth is often related to a combination of low flows, hot, dry weather and availability of nutrients such as nitrogen and phosphorus.” Kathryn Marlow reports. (CBC)
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A good year for pinks, the smallest but most abundant salmonid:
Pink salmon are having a great 2023 return in Puget Sound
Matt Bogaard with the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife said: "We're forecasting to see about four million Pink Salmon returning to Puget Sound this year. That's right around the 10-year average," Bogaard said. "We did see a run size of a little over 8.5 million in 2013. And we've had several large run sizes since, but in the last two pink salmon cycles, we've seen declining run sizes. So it's great to see a larger number coming back this year."
Bogaard added that pink salmon are one of the more resilient species of salmon.“Because of the shorter life cycle of pink salmon, I think they are a bit more resilient to some of the habitat changes that we see — especially compared to other species," he said. "They're also especially good at colonizing new habitats and coming into new areas.” Natalie Akane Newcomb reports. (KUOW)
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THE DAILY BUCKET IS A NATURE REFUGE. WE AMICABLY DISCUSS ANIMALS, WEATHER, CLIMATE, SOIL, PLANTS, WATERS AND NOTE LIFE’S PATTERNS.
WE INVITE YOU TO NOTE WHAT YOU ARE SEEING AROUND YOU IN YOUR OWN PART OF THE WORLD, AND TO SHARE YOUR OBSERVATIONS IN THE COMMENTS BELOW.
FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE PURPOSE AND HISTORY OF THE DAILY BUCKET FEATURE, CHECK OUT THIS DIARY: DAILY BUCKET PHENOLOGY: 11 YEARS OF RECORDING EARTH'S VITAL SIGNS IN OUR NEIGHBORHOODS
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Foggy, otherwise sunny in the PNW today. Temps in 50s and 60s. Calm.
WHAT’S UP IN NATURE IN YOUR AREA TODAY?