Orcasphere

It seems a crisis is emerging on the Fraser River.  For those of us in the U.S. working to restore salmon runs, this article provides a glimpse into the complexity of Fraser River management and science (and politics). Where have all the salmon gone? And where on Earth are our public watchdogs? Scientists tipped them [...]

NOAA recently released an incidental take authorization associated with the Navy’s proposed expansion of the Northwest Range Training Complex.  The authorization and associated Navy documents are Complex, indeed!  Unfortunately, NOAA has allocated too little time for public comment on the . Below I’ve quoted an inspirational letter from Fred Felleman.  Please emulate him and join [...]

Received this from orcalist@noaa.gov this morning.   Deadline for public comment is 5pm on Oct. 27, 2009.  It’s noteworthy that this announcement came the day after notice that Dawn Noren published a paper that suggests that most surface active behaviors occur when vessels are within ~150 meters. As part of the recovery program for endangered Southern [...]

Interesting that only the NW region has a politically-appointed administrator; the other 5 regions have career admins… It took 9 months for Bush Administration to post Lohn to the job. Will Obama/Lubchenko act faster for the sake of our salmon and killer whales? clipped from www.cbbulletin.com Lohn Out As NOAA Fisheries Regional Director, Deputy Now [...]