On Monday, Oct. 5, NOAA will hold a public hearing at the Grange on San Juan Island from 7 to 9 pm for public comment on the proposed vessel regulations to further protect the Southern Resident Killer Whales. Plan to attend if you can.
The final deadline for receipt of public comments by NOAA is Oct. 27.
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Indian Island monitoring - analysis of 2009 and planning for 2010
In case you haven't already received this information, Russel Barsh has scheduled two workshops in October for volunteers and teachers interested in the Indian Is. Marine Health Observatory program in Eastsound. The first on Oct. 15 will focus on what has been learned from this year's monitoring, and include discussion of the quality and reliability of testing methods. The second workshop on Oct. 29 will be a review of this year's data and what it means for the health of the Indian Island ecosystem. Discussion will include planning for next year's program. Both meetings will be at the Eastsound fire station from 10 am to 1 pm
Puget Sound Partnership TV Ads
The Puget Sound Partnership will be airing a number of TV ads with the theme: "Puget Sound Starts Here." You can view the ads on UTube - here's the link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YqP9mFoqygM
Shann wishes they had chosen to use The Salish Sea instead of Puget Sound, but the message is good.
Shann wishes they had chosen to use The Salish Sea instead of Puget Sound, but the message is good.
Upcoming SEA DOC Lectures
The SeaDoc Society has announced it's 2009-2010 Lecture Series. Dates and topics are listed below. All lectures are at 7 pm at Camp Orkila. Call 376-3910 for further information.
Oct 13: The Western Grebe: a vanishing icon, by Joe Gaydos, SeaDoc Society
Nov 10: Whales, echolocation and noise, by Jason Wood, The Whale Museum
Dec 8: Sharks of the San Juan Islands, by Gene Helfman, U of Georgia
Family night: free dinner at 5 pm, program starts at 7 pm
Jan 12: There is no such thing as a sea gull, by Thor Hanson, Author and biologist
Feb 9: Tracker dogs: saving killer whales, by Katherine Ayers, U of Washington
Mar 9: Super Suckers: Giant Pacific Octopus & other cephalopods, by Tim Carpenter,Seattle Aquarium
Oct 13: The Western Grebe: a vanishing icon, by Joe Gaydos, SeaDoc Society
Nov 10: Whales, echolocation and noise, by Jason Wood, The Whale Museum
Dec 8: Sharks of the San Juan Islands, by Gene Helfman, U of Georgia
Family night: free dinner at 5 pm, program starts at 7 pm
Jan 12: There is no such thing as a sea gull, by Thor Hanson, Author and biologist
Feb 9: Tracker dogs: saving killer whales, by Katherine Ayers, U of Washington
Mar 9: Super Suckers: Giant Pacific Octopus & other cephalopods, by Tim Carpenter,Seattle Aquarium
Orcasphere.org - Scott Veirs
As a result of publicity about John Ford's report on the salmon population and the Northern and Southern Residents, Scott has written a comment on his blog - Orcasphere http://www.orcasphere.org/ His link will be added to our site as well.
Monday, September 28, 2009
Resident Orcas & Salmon Study by John Ford
On the Discovery News website is an article with the results of the most recent study by John Ford, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, and others on how the decline or increase in the salmon populations affect both Northern and Southern Residents. In particular, El Nino years have had the most dramatic effect on the residents.
The article can be viewed at http://dsc.discovery.com/news/2009/09/16/killer-whale-salmon.html
John Ford, with Kenneth Balcomb from the Center for Whale Research and two other colleagues, reported the findings this month in the online edition of the journal Biology Letters .
The article can be viewed at http://dsc.discovery.com/news/2009/09/16/killer-whale-salmon.html
John Ford, with Kenneth Balcomb from the Center for Whale Research and two other colleagues, reported the findings this month in the online edition of the journal Biology Letters .
Thursday, September 24, 2009
GREAT NEWS FOR MARINE INVASIVE SPECIES MONITORING
MISM has been funded for another two years (through June 2011) and Nahkeeta NW will continue as the program coordinator working under contract with WDFW.
San Juan County has 14 beach watcher volunteers who participate in this program. Hopefully everyone has been successful in monitoring the beaches they have chosen and entered the information on the Nahkeeta website for Ann Eissinger. There were some computer glitches at the beginning of the summer that she believes have been taken care of.
Ann is asking for comments and suggestion from the volunteers that will help to improve the MISM program, make it a rewarding experience for everyone and provide useful information.
You may either use this forum for your comments, or send them directly to me at zencamp@comcast.net.
Personally, I have enjoyed this monitoring very much. Not only have I learned about the invasive species that we are looking for, but I have also learned a lot about the native species that live on the beaches in our islands. I have seen many interesting animals that I have never come across before, and probably wouldn't have come across unless monitoring. I have several questions and comments for Ann, and I hope that if you do, you will post them or send me an email.
Ann is working with Padilla Bay National Estuarine Reserve to develop specialized workshops that focus on Species ID of certain taxa such as tunicates, whelks/drills and crabs. She will send out an announcement once the programs are set up.
Nancy Alboucq
SJBW-MISM coordinator
San Juan County has 14 beach watcher volunteers who participate in this program. Hopefully everyone has been successful in monitoring the beaches they have chosen and entered the information on the Nahkeeta website for Ann Eissinger. There were some computer glitches at the beginning of the summer that she believes have been taken care of.
Ann is asking for comments and suggestion from the volunteers that will help to improve the MISM program, make it a rewarding experience for everyone and provide useful information.
You may either use this forum for your comments, or send them directly to me at zencamp@comcast.net.
Personally, I have enjoyed this monitoring very much. Not only have I learned about the invasive species that we are looking for, but I have also learned a lot about the native species that live on the beaches in our islands. I have seen many interesting animals that I have never come across before, and probably wouldn't have come across unless monitoring. I have several questions and comments for Ann, and I hope that if you do, you will post them or send me an email.
Ann is working with Padilla Bay National Estuarine Reserve to develop specialized workshops that focus on Species ID of certain taxa such as tunicates, whelks/drills and crabs. She will send out an announcement once the programs are set up.
Nancy Alboucq
SJBW-MISM coordinator
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
Puget Sounds Starts Here--New Website
A new website http://www.pugetsoundstartshere.org will be a "clearing house" for volunteer opportunities to educate and engage in the recovery of Puget Sound. The website was organized by ECO Net, part of the Puget Sound Partnership http://www.psp.wa.gov/econet.php
Please check it out frequently as organizations will be posting events and volunteer opportunities at any time.
Please check it out frequently as organizations will be posting events and volunteer opportunities at any time.
Travel with WSU Extension Beach Watchers to Africa
Beach Watchers will join Overseas Adventure Travel (OAT) next year for their "Safari Serengeti: Tanzania Lodge & Tented Safari" tour! This 12-day trip will depart September 12, 2010. If we fill our group, non-profit Beach Watchers will receive a cash donation from OAT. Travel with local friends and benefit Beach Watchers too. Here is a link to this incredible tour:http://www.oattravel.com/gcc/general/default.aspx?oid=262689
For more information about how to sign up, or to ask questions, please call: Sandy Dubpernell at 360-678-3765 or Linda Ridder at 360-579-2521.
For more information about how to sign up, or to ask questions, please call: Sandy Dubpernell at 360-678-3765 or Linda Ridder at 360-579-2521.
Naming of Salish Sea
Interesting article from The Bellingham Herald. http://bellinghamherald.com/102/story/1072836
If you care to write regarding the adoption of the name, here is the info. It is not too late as the meeting will be on October 30.
Caleb A. Maki
WA State Dept. of Natural Resources
Engineering Division - Resource Mapping Section
WA State Board on Geographic Names
Phone: 360-902-1280
Fax: 360-902-1778
Email: caleb.maki@dnr.wa.gov
If you care to write regarding the adoption of the name, here is the info. It is not too late as the meeting will be on October 30.
Caleb A. Maki
WA State Dept. of Natural Resources
Engineering Division - Resource Mapping Section
WA State Board on Geographic Names
Phone: 360-902-1280
Fax: 360-902-1778
Email: caleb.maki@dnr.wa.gov
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