Salish Sea News Week in Review December 29 2023

 

A newborn orca surfaces next to orca J40 in central Puget Sound
on Dec. 26, 2023 [Maya Sears, under NMFS Permit 27052]

For the New Year! Newborn orca spotted near Seattle off Bainbridge Island
Beachgoers and whale researchers were excited to spot a newborn calf swimming with the Northwest’s endangered orcas on Tuesday near Seattle. On Wednesday, the Center for Whale Research confirmed that the baby orca is the newest member of J pod, one of the Northwest’s three family groups of the endangered killer whales known as the southern residents. 

Endangered Species Act’s 50th anniversary: What 6 NW animals can tell us
The ESA turns 50 this month, and if beating extinction is the measure, the law has been a success. Of the more than 1,600 U.S. species listed for protection since the act’s inception, 99% have been rescued from the oblivion of extinction.

Two accidents in one year show risks of oil industry to tribal nations, environment
All of Washington state’s oil refineries are near or on tribal reservations.

Baby boom of 59 pups helps endangered B.C. marmot toward recovery
Thanks to the new pups, there's been a 50 per cent increase in the total population since the end of last year, when there were 204 marmots. 

Lummi Nation opposes BP's oil plans for Cherry Point
The Lummi Nation is voicing its opposition to British Petroleum's goal of expanding oil operations at Cherry Point, near Ferndale, Washington, north of Bellingham. The Lummi call this area "Xwe’chi’eXen," consider it a cultural and archaeological site where many of its ancestors lay, and also argues that BP's industrial operations would interfere with its fishing rights.

These news clips are a selection of weekday clips collected in Salish Sea News and Weather which is compiled as a community service by Mike Sato. To subscribe at no cost to the weekday news clips, send your name and email to mikesato772 at gmail.com. Your email information is never shared and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Salish Sea News: Communicate, Educate, Advocate


Salish Sea Communications: Truth Well Told