By wdfw.wa.gov. Marine Area 7 consists of waters south of the Canadian border containing the San Juan Islands, Haro Strait, Rosario Strait, Bellingham Bay, the southern Strait of Georgia, and the northeastern portion of the Strait of Juan de Fuca. Boat launches include Washington Park near the Anacortes Ferry Terminal and Cornet Bazy Marina at Deception Pass State Park (be advised these launches can be very busy and parking is limited), as well as public and private marinas in Anacortes, Burrows Bay, La Conner, Bellingham, and Blaine. Deception Pass and the San Juan Islands experience some of the strongest tidal currents on the West Coast. Depending on location, wind and tide direction, conditions can change quickly from calm seas to surging currents, tidally-influenced standing waves, or wind chop. Always review a local tide chart and weather forecast before hitting the water! With hundreds of rocky islands, underwater reefs and pinnacles, the San Juans and Bellingham Bay provide exceptional fishing for lingcod and cabezon during the spring and early-summer months; check out this blog post for tips. Halibut are found on deeper underwater banks and sloping dropoffs, particularly in the Strait of Juan de Fuca and Strait of Georgia; visit this webpage for season details. The best fishing for these bottomfish species occurs around slack tides. Shrimping can be very productive during spring and early-summer openers. Crabbing typically opens in mid- to late-summer through early-fall. Due to its rich biodiversity, Marine Area 7 is renowned for SCUBA and freediving, though visibility varies depending on outflow from rivers. The San Juan Islands and nearby straits and bays provide numerous scenic locations to fish for Chinook salmon that are often teeming with baitfish given that Marine Area 7 sits at the confluence of several large bodies of water.  Continue reading at wdfw.wa.gov.

Where to Fish in the San Juan Islands

8/31/2023 - By wdfw.wa.gov. With hundreds of rocky islands, underwater reefs and pinnacles, the San Juans and Bellingham Bay provide exceptional fishing for lingcod and cabezon during the spring and early-summer months; check out this blog post for tips. Halibut are found on deeper underwater banks and sloping dropoffs, particularly in the Strait of Juan de… SEE MORE
Vessels removed from the Dog River in Alabama (Photo: NOAA).

Now Open: Two Bipartisan Infrastructure Law Grant Opportunities for Marine Debris Removal and Interception Technologies

8/30/2023 - By blog.marinedebris.noaa.gov. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) Marine Debris Program is pleased to announce its Fiscal Year 2024 Notices of Funding Opportunity for both Marine Debris Removal and Interception Technologies under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. These two funding opportunities include the availability up to $28 million across the… SEE MORE
Dramatic Views of Hurricane Florence from the International Space Station From 9 12 (42828603210) by WikiCommons.

Building Codes Save Money and Lives

8/29/2023 - By scientificamerican.com. After Category 5 Hurricane Michael slammed into Mexico Beach, Fla., in 2018, there was a dramatic contrast in destruction: homes built at or beyond state building codes still stood, whereas many of those built before those stringent codes were enacted were simply gone. Michael is one of a… SEE MORE
Hurricane Idalia Cone Aug 27, 2023

Hurricane Idalia On Collision Course with Florida Gulf Coast

8/28/2023 - By WeatherTiger. Threat synopsis: A major hurricane landfall in North Florida is more likely than not on on Wednesday. Preparations for destructive surge and wind should be completed by Tuesday evening. Why is it always Wednesday? There’s no answer beyond coincidence for why Florida’s four most recent hurricanes— Michael, Sally,… SEE MORE