The Port Townsend Marine Science Center will hold a conference on May 14-15 to discuss their research on Plastic Pollution in the Salish Sea. All volunteers (and coordinators!) are invited to join free of charge! They will provide excellent lectures and sessions, as well as meals and accommodations at Fort Worden. Registration will be in early March. Check their website:
http://www.ptmsc.org/
Thursday, February 25, 2010
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
Should Dolphins be Considered "Non-Human Persons?"
Recently at the American Association for the Advancement of Science symposium in San Diego a group of scientists discussed whether dolphins, because of their intelligence, should be considered "non-human persons" and, therefore, no longer be kept in aquariums. To read more of the discussion, see: http://abcnews.go.com/Technology/AmazingAnimals/dolphins-animal-closest-intelligence-humans/story?id=9921886
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
Comments on NOAA's Proposed Boating Regulations On Line
If you are interested in reading all the comments submitted to the NOAA Fisheries on the proposed boating regulations and the Southern Residents, they can be viewed at http://www.nwr.noaa.gov/Marine-Mammals/Whales-Dolphins-Porpoise/Killer-Whales/ESA-Status/Orca-Vessel-Cmnts.cfm.
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
Friday Harbor Monitoring Project Update
On February 11, Russel led a group of volunteers on a walk on the Port docks to find and identify additional marine species. As a result, Russel and Anne Harmann took some great photos for our field guide. Monitoring will begin in March. If you have not already signed up, please email Dennis Linden at seahermit@rockisland.com or give him a call at 370-5464. Dennis will be contacting those volunteers soon to talk about their monitoring assignments. Anne Harmann is our "chief gear builder" and will be assisting those to have volunteered to build the various bioindicator boxes and the bait and light traps we will use.
Other news -- Dennis has also volunteered to write the project brochure, and Russel said our project logo would soon be completed. Your help is also needed in the areas of public outreach and compiling the field guide. If yo
u have an interest in these areas, please contact Andrea Wieland at pcgsea@pcgsea.com or phone 378-3899.
Looking forward to seeing you all "on the docks."
Other news -- Dennis has also volunteered to write the project brochure, and Russel said our project logo would soon be completed. Your help is also needed in the areas of public outreach and compiling the field guide. If yo
u have an interest in these areas, please contact Andrea Wieland at pcgsea@pcgsea.com or phone 378-3899.Looking forward to seeing you all "on the docks."
PVC Pipe 'pull' at Crescent Beach
The San Juan County Land Bank, Beach Watchers, and friends pulled PVC pipe and re-bar out of the ground on Crescent Beach. It was a gorgeous day and we worked for 3 hours cleaning up the beach. There is another work day this Saturday, February 20th at 1:00. Please come join us.
Target Stores Do the Right Thing to Help Our Salmon
Target recently has eliminated all farmed salmon from its fresh, frozen, and smoked seafood offerings in its stores across the United States, because of farm salmon environmental impact on native salmon. If only more large and local stores would do the same. To understand more about the problems with farmed salmon, follow this link: http://www.farmedsalmonexposed.org/theproblem_2008.html
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
Indian Island Night Time Beach Walk
Russel and Madrona hosted another night time beach walk around Indian Island on January 29th, it was a Wolf Moon (first full moon of the year) and a Perigee Moon(closest full moon to the earth for the year). Unfortunately it was raining and we couldn't see the moon, but the marine life was unbelievably fascinating.
A great article about the Indian Island Project!!
One fish at a time
By COLLEEN ARMSTRONGIslands Sounder Web site editor, Editor Jan 27 2010, 10:02 AM ·
Local partners unite to study Indian Island
Octopi. Sea slugs. Emerald green pipe fish. Grunt sculpins. Porcelain crabs. Until recently, scientists wouldn’t have guessed that these creatures call Indian Island home. “People weren’t aware of how cool the island is,” said Russel Barsh of the research group Kwiaht. “There is this dynamic ecosystem right along the town’s waterfront. No one had a clue, really, about what was out there, except for the clams.”
Kwiaht is part of a consortium of local partners who have been working together to protect the Eastsound marine environment through research and education. The Indian Island Marine Health Observatory began after the federal Bureau of Land Management (owners of the island) enlisted the help of local Beach Watchers to take care of the property, which is most easily accessed when the tide is low and visitors can walk out into Fishing Bay.
The Beach Watchers mobilized volunteers to help with clean-up and restoration, and the Lopez-based Kwiaht came on board to do scientific monitoring. Orcas students even jumped in on the action, helping out with field work and toxicity studies. Salmonberry Elementary, Orcas Christian School, and Orcas middle and high school kids have all participated.
Over the past two years, Kwiaht’s baseline survey has discovered some fascinating creatures, including grunt sculpins, one of the most brightly colored fish in Western Washington, known for an unusual habit: walking on its fins.
“They are pretty rare and patchily distributed, and we think this is the biggest concentration in the county,” Barsh said.
Another find is the pipe fish, the only member of the seahorse family in the Northwest. They are widely found in the county, but are becoming scarce because they are entirely dependent on native eel grass. The pipe fish extends to its full length of more than a foot and attaches to the grass, moving fluidly and blending in to catch food. Barsh wonders if this species is losing its foothold in Fishing Bay.
Kwiaht also found octopi, sea slugs, and porcelain crabs. The crab diversity is abundant; Kwakiutl has identified 14 species, many of which aren’t commonly seen in the county.
During the surveys, Barsh and his researchers tried to find out what role Indian Island plays in these species’ lives. For the porcelain crab, it is a spot to reproduce.
“Many species reproduce on Indian Island, like the porcelain crab,” Barsh said. “For one month a year, the island is crawling with them – and then they’re gone.”
The next step in the project is public education to help reduce discharge of toxic chemicals into Fishing Bay, silt accumulation in the eel grass meadow from stormwater runoff, and the impact of human recreation.
“There has never been this kind of grassroots effort on Indian Island,” said Beach Watcher Marcia Spees, who is particularly enthusiastic about teaching tide pool ethics. “This will be a project that will go on for years.”
Volunteers have developed a brochure explaining how to be a conscientious visitor to the island, available in the spring, and in March, they will give presentations to Eastsound businesses on how to reduce runoff and discharge.
“We’ve joined the chamber and we will work closely with businesses to educate the public,” Barsh said.
The community is invited to participate in the spring and summer field research trips during low-tide. Barsh says they will be working on the beach, with sandwich-board interpretive signs and Beach Watchers on-hand to answer questions from the public. Look for dates and times later in the year.
There is also a night walk scheduled for Friday, Jan. 29 starting at 8:30 p.m. Meet at the county park, wear tall rubber boots, and bring a headlamp or small flashlight.
“This will be a minus 2.3 tide, low enough to see sea cucumbers, anemones, and some unusual crabs and sea slugs. Night time walks are a great time to sea creatures who are shy,” Barsh said. “The lowest tide of the year will be on June 13, and that’s a day we will make a major educational opportunity for the community and visitors.”
To contact
Orcas Beach Watcher Barbara Bentley is project leader for the Indian Island Marine Health Observatory. For more information, email variicolor@earthlink.net or call 376-5980
Watch upcoming editions for profiles on some of Indian Island’s coolest creatures, courtesy of Marta Branch’s marine science class.
By COLLEEN ARMSTRONGIslands Sounder Web site editor, Editor Jan 27 2010, 10:02 AM ·
Local partners unite to study Indian Island
Octopi. Sea slugs. Emerald green pipe fish. Grunt sculpins. Porcelain crabs. Until recently, scientists wouldn’t have guessed that these creatures call Indian Island home. “People weren’t aware of how cool the island is,” said Russel Barsh of the research group Kwiaht. “There is this dynamic ecosystem right along the town’s waterfront. No one had a clue, really, about what was out there, except for the clams.”
Kwiaht is part of a consortium of local partners who have been working together to protect the Eastsound marine environment through research and education. The Indian Island Marine Health Observatory began after the federal Bureau of Land Management (owners of the island) enlisted the help of local Beach Watchers to take care of the property, which is most easily accessed when the tide is low and visitors can walk out into Fishing Bay.
The Beach Watchers mobilized volunteers to help with clean-up and restoration, and the Lopez-based Kwiaht came on board to do scientific monitoring. Orcas students even jumped in on the action, helping out with field work and toxicity studies. Salmonberry Elementary, Orcas Christian School, and Orcas middle and high school kids have all participated.
Over the past two years, Kwiaht’s baseline survey has discovered some fascinating creatures, including grunt sculpins, one of the most brightly colored fish in Western Washington, known for an unusual habit: walking on its fins.
“They are pretty rare and patchily distributed, and we think this is the biggest concentration in the county,” Barsh said.
Another find is the pipe fish, the only member of the seahorse family in the Northwest. They are widely found in the county, but are becoming scarce because they are entirely dependent on native eel grass. The pipe fish extends to its full length of more than a foot and attaches to the grass, moving fluidly and blending in to catch food. Barsh wonders if this species is losing its foothold in Fishing Bay.
Kwiaht also found octopi, sea slugs, and porcelain crabs. The crab diversity is abundant; Kwakiutl has identified 14 species, many of which aren’t commonly seen in the county.
During the surveys, Barsh and his researchers tried to find out what role Indian Island plays in these species’ lives. For the porcelain crab, it is a spot to reproduce.
“Many species reproduce on Indian Island, like the porcelain crab,” Barsh said. “For one month a year, the island is crawling with them – and then they’re gone.”
The next step in the project is public education to help reduce discharge of toxic chemicals into Fishing Bay, silt accumulation in the eel grass meadow from stormwater runoff, and the impact of human recreation.
“There has never been this kind of grassroots effort on Indian Island,” said Beach Watcher Marcia Spees, who is particularly enthusiastic about teaching tide pool ethics. “This will be a project that will go on for years.”
Volunteers have developed a brochure explaining how to be a conscientious visitor to the island, available in the spring, and in March, they will give presentations to Eastsound businesses on how to reduce runoff and discharge.
“We’ve joined the chamber and we will work closely with businesses to educate the public,” Barsh said.
The community is invited to participate in the spring and summer field research trips during low-tide. Barsh says they will be working on the beach, with sandwich-board interpretive signs and Beach Watchers on-hand to answer questions from the public. Look for dates and times later in the year.
There is also a night walk scheduled for Friday, Jan. 29 starting at 8:30 p.m. Meet at the county park, wear tall rubber boots, and bring a headlamp or small flashlight.
“This will be a minus 2.3 tide, low enough to see sea cucumbers, anemones, and some unusual crabs and sea slugs. Night time walks are a great time to sea creatures who are shy,” Barsh said. “The lowest tide of the year will be on June 13, and that’s a day we will make a major educational opportunity for the community and visitors.”
To contact
Orcas Beach Watcher Barbara Bentley is project leader for the Indian Island Marine Health Observatory. For more information, email variicolor@earthlink.net or call 376-5980
Watch upcoming editions for profiles on some of Indian Island’s coolest creatures, courtesy of Marta Branch’s marine science class.
Monday, January 25, 2010
Volunteer opportunity..Derelict oyster gear to be removed from Crescent Beach!
Over the next couple of months, the Land Bank will be helping to remove the derelict oyster rearing gear from our tidelands at Crescent Beach Preserve. Bill and Char Bawden, who operate Judd Cove Oysters, spent 10 years putting in the gear, however they are transitioning to a new system that will utilize just a fraction of the area.
In the interest of clearing the gear from the near-shore area as quickly as possible, we have scheduled three work days and are inviting volunteers (like you!) to lend a hand.
The work is pulling sections of pvc pipe out of the sand and staging them in piles high on the beach to be loaded into a truck. We need to work with the tides, so please note the dates and times listed below. If you have questions, please give me a call at 376-3384. Also, if you know others who may wish to help, feel free to pass this message along.
NOTE: Do not attempt to remove any of the gear prior to our scheduled work day(s). The Bawden’s will be on site to direct our efforts and be sure that we do not disturb the oyster growing areas currently in use.
Many thanks, and hope to see you there!
Saturday, February 6th 1-4
Saturday, February 20th 1-4
Saturday, March 6th 12-3
Ruthie Dougherty
San Juan County Land Bank
350 Court Street #6
Friday Harbor, WA 98250
360-378-4402 360-298-0052
rdougherty@rockisland.com
In the interest of clearing the gear from the near-shore area as quickly as possible, we have scheduled three work days and are inviting volunteers (like you!) to lend a hand.
The work is pulling sections of pvc pipe out of the sand and staging them in piles high on the beach to be loaded into a truck. We need to work with the tides, so please note the dates and times listed below. If you have questions, please give me a call at 376-3384. Also, if you know others who may wish to help, feel free to pass this message along.
NOTE: Do not attempt to remove any of the gear prior to our scheduled work day(s). The Bawden’s will be on site to direct our efforts and be sure that we do not disturb the oyster growing areas currently in use.
Many thanks, and hope to see you there!
Saturday, February 6th 1-4
Saturday, February 20th 1-4
Saturday, March 6th 12-3
Ruthie Dougherty
San Juan County Land Bank
350 Court Street #6
Friday Harbor, WA 98250
360-378-4402 360-298-0052
rdougherty@rockisland.com
Saturday, January 16, 2010
Styrofoam Ban: What's the Next Step?
It's official: On January 5 the County Council banned styrofoam take-out food containers from county restaurants and food stores. Spearheaded by SJI resident Doris Estabrooks, whose five- year campaign finally came to fruition, the ban will go into effect in both the county and the town of Friday Harbor on Earth Day in April, 2010. Honored as the San Juan Journal's "Citizen of the Year" for her dedicated efforts, (see SJJ, Jan 5, 2010,) Doris now plans to continue her work to educate the public on the cumulative and harmful effects of disposable plastic on the environment, and particularly to the health of both marine life and humans. Plastic certainly has appropriate and beneficial uses, but as we all know through our beach clean-up activities and involvement with the Port Townsend Micro-Plastic research project, almost all the man-made ocean debris we find, (aside from driftwood,) is some kind of plastic.
The styrofoam ban is a good step, but where do we go from here, especially when eating out? So many restaurants now serve enormous portions - enough for 2 or 3 people! Sharing a main course with a family member sometimes works, but otherwise how do we get those leftovers home without using a disposable container?
One suggestion: buy a "Tiffin." The word comes from India and refers to the metal lunchboxes in use there for workmen and students. But they are available here too, and a very handy solution to the take-home problem. Made of good quality stainless steel in single or double layers, with sturdy clamps, lids, and handles, their cost is reasonable. And they're available in the islands as well. "Compost-it" in Friday Harbor sells them - see their on-line website (below) for pictures and details. (You have to search through a few pages of their on-line catalog under the "Home" category, but it's on about the 5th or 6th page.)
http://stores.intuitwebsites.com/hstrial-CompostIt/-strse-For-the-Home/searchpath/54270732/start/46/total/68/Categories.bok
Gourmet Galley in Friday Harbor said they would also look into carrying them, (encourage them if you're in there,) or check elsewhere in the islands, or on line. They're not small enough to fit into a purse, but definitely into a shopping bag or backpack. Like many other "good for the environment" steps, it might take a little while to get used to remembering to take one with you when you go out to eat, but as with our reusable grocery bags, it will soon become a regular habit.
The styrofoam ban is a good step, but where do we go from here, especially when eating out? So many restaurants now serve enormous portions - enough for 2 or 3 people! Sharing a main course with a family member sometimes works, but otherwise how do we get those leftovers home without using a disposable container?
One suggestion: buy a "Tiffin." The word comes from India and refers to the metal lunchboxes in use there for workmen and students. But they are available here too, and a very handy solution to the take-home problem. Made of good quality stainless steel in single or double layers, with sturdy clamps, lids, and handles, their cost is reasonable. And they're available in the islands as well. "Compost-it" in Friday Harbor sells them - see their on-line website (below) for pictures and details. (You have to search through a few pages of their on-line catalog under the "Home" category, but it's on about the 5th or 6th page.)
http://stores.intuitwebsites.com/hstrial-CompostIt/-strse-For-the-Home/searchpath/54270732/start/46/total/68/Categories.bok
Gourmet Galley in Friday Harbor said they would also look into carrying them, (encourage them if you're in there,) or check elsewhere in the islands, or on line. They're not small enough to fit into a purse, but definitely into a shopping bag or backpack. Like many other "good for the environment" steps, it might take a little while to get used to remembering to take one with you when you go out to eat, but as with our reusable grocery bags, it will soon become a regular habit.
Indian Island Project Meeting
The Indian Island Marine Health Observatory Project is making good progress. Sheldon, Marcia, Margo and Nancy met with our new fabulous leader, Barbara Bentley. Russel Barsh made a quick appearance at the end of the meeting so that we could brief him on the decisions we had made. We worked on and approved our Mission Statement, passed our informational trifold on to Russel who will approve it and take the next step to get it printed, and we began to fill the sign up sheets for various Indian Island projects.
Monday, January 11, 2010
Missing Sea Lions & El Nino
An article in The Seattle Times recently mentioned that several hundred sea lions have disappeared from San Francisco Bay. Where did they go? Apparently, they headed north to the Sea Lion Caves (where else?) in Oregon. One thought is that because of warmer waters off the California coast (one of the El Nino characteristics) that one of the sea lions' favorites foods - anchovies - has migrated north. So the sea lions are just following their stomachs! In addition, the number of sea lions at Heceta Head in Oregon has doubled to 5,000. Wonder if Washington will also see an influx.
Wednesday, December 30, 2009
There is no such thing as a Sea Gull
Marine Science Lecture Series
What, there is no such thing as a sea gull? On the evening of Tuesday, January 12 at 7:00 pm biologist and writer Thor Hanson will engage you in the interesting facts about these opportunistic birds. You might not remember all the fascinating details or identification features for the dozen or so gull species we have, but you should walk away more fond of these birds and probably will no longer make the faux pas of calling them sea gulls.
Gulls belong to the Laridae family. They will eat just about anything, from fish or small rodents to ferry French fries and potato chips and a salt excreting gland enables them to drink either fresh or salt water. They nest in large, densely packed, and noisy colonies where they lay two to three speckled eggs. Larger gull species take up to four years to attain full adult plumage, while two years is more typical for small gulls. They can live to be 15 years old and some have been known to live to be over 25 years old.
The 2009/10 Marine Science Lecture Series was created to inspire the general public and to highlight the amazing fish and wildlife of our region. Lectures are free. Please park in the upper parking lot at Camp Orkila. Shuttle service from the parking lot to the talk is available before and after the lecture. The 2009/10 Marine Science Lecture Series is presented by program partners The SeaDoc Society and YMCA Camp Orkila. It is made possible through generous sponsorship by Tom Averna (Deer Harbor Charters), and The Gould Family Foundation and co-sponsorship by Barbara Brown, Eclipse Charters, The Kingfish Inn, Shearwater Sea Kayak Tours, West Sound Marina and Jim and Kathy Youngren.
http://www.seadocsociety.org/
What, there is no such thing as a sea gull? On the evening of Tuesday, January 12 at 7:00 pm biologist and writer Thor Hanson will engage you in the interesting facts about these opportunistic birds. You might not remember all the fascinating details or identification features for the dozen or so gull species we have, but you should walk away more fond of these birds and probably will no longer make the faux pas of calling them sea gulls.
Gulls belong to the Laridae family. They will eat just about anything, from fish or small rodents to ferry French fries and potato chips and a salt excreting gland enables them to drink either fresh or salt water. They nest in large, densely packed, and noisy colonies where they lay two to three speckled eggs. Larger gull species take up to four years to attain full adult plumage, while two years is more typical for small gulls. They can live to be 15 years old and some have been known to live to be over 25 years old.
The 2009/10 Marine Science Lecture Series was created to inspire the general public and to highlight the amazing fish and wildlife of our region. Lectures are free. Please park in the upper parking lot at Camp Orkila. Shuttle service from the parking lot to the talk is available before and after the lecture. The 2009/10 Marine Science Lecture Series is presented by program partners The SeaDoc Society and YMCA Camp Orkila. It is made possible through generous sponsorship by Tom Averna (Deer Harbor Charters), and The Gould Family Foundation and co-sponsorship by Barbara Brown, Eclipse Charters, The Kingfish Inn, Shearwater Sea Kayak Tours, West Sound Marina and Jim and Kathy Youngren.
http://www.seadocsociety.org/
Tuesday, December 29, 2009
House Passes Northwest Straits Marine Conservation Initiative Reauthorization Act
December 8, 2009
Washington, D.C. — The House of Representatives passed the Northwest Straits Marine Conservation Initiative Reauthorization Act (HR 1672), legislation sponsored by U.S. Rep. Rick Larsen (WA-02), by voice vote yesterday. This legislation renews the Congressional mandate for the Northwest Straits Commission, a grassroots organization that works to restore and protect marine habitat in Northwest Washington. HR 1672 has widespread support from the local community, including letters of support from elected officials in every county in which it operates.
Click link to read full article.
http://www.house.gov/apps/list/press/wa02_larsen/Larsen_120809_Straits.shtml
Washington, D.C. — The House of Representatives passed the Northwest Straits Marine Conservation Initiative Reauthorization Act (HR 1672), legislation sponsored by U.S. Rep. Rick Larsen (WA-02), by voice vote yesterday. This legislation renews the Congressional mandate for the Northwest Straits Commission, a grassroots organization that works to restore and protect marine habitat in Northwest Washington. HR 1672 has widespread support from the local community, including letters of support from elected officials in every county in which it operates.
Click link to read full article.
http://www.house.gov/apps/list/press/wa02_larsen/Larsen_120809_Straits.shtml
Saturday, December 19, 2009
Another Conference: STORMING THE SOUND," La Conner, Jan 29.
"Storming the Sound" is an annual one-day conference for environmental educators and students of environmental education from North Puget Sound, including San Juan County. The event will be held at Maple Hall, La Connor, on Friday, January 29, 2010.
Keynote speaker, David Henry, who works with the Pew Charitable Trust, will speak on: "Arctic Waters - Protecting Life in the Arctic." Breakout sessions will follow on topics such as: school gardens, citizen science, rain gardens, boat-based education, and more.
Registration is free and includes lunch, but a $10 donation is requested at the door to help defray expenses. Here's their website:
Keynote speaker, David Henry, who works with the Pew Charitable Trust, will speak on: "Arctic Waters - Protecting Life in the Arctic." Breakout sessions will follow on topics such as: school gardens, citizen science, rain gardens, boat-based education, and more.
Registration is free and includes lunch, but a $10 donation is requested at the door to help defray expenses. Here's their website:
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