Fish to Humans: Drive Slowly in the Fog!

Nudibranch (sea slug) should be visible at Feb. 16 beach walk. Common name is Frosted Dirona and Latin name is Dirona Abolineata. Photo courtesy of Steve Alboucq.

More helpful information at two Marine Health Observatory Events on Feb. 16

Russel Barsh, founder of Kwiáht, the Center for the Historical Ecology of the Salish Sea,  announces that the Indian Island Marine Health Observatory team has two special public events planned in Eastsound for Wednesday February 16:

Orcas Library at 5:00 p.m. — Dr. Gene Helfman, professor emeritus of ecology (University of Georgia), author of the highly regarded textbook Fish Conservation, now living on Lopez Island, speaks on “Ferries in the fog and fish under floats.”  Gene explains: “Every angler (and fish watcher) knows that a good place to find fish is under logs, floats, docks, and undercut banks.  What fish are telling you is to clean your windshield and drive slowly in the fog!” Come to his talk and find out why.  Gene’s talk is sponsored by Kwiaht and the Indian Island Marine Health Observatory.

Nighttime Beach Walk to Indian Island at 8 p.m. — Russel Barsh and the Indian Island community team lead the second and final nighttime low-tide walk of this winter.  The tide will be a little lower than during the January nighttime beach walk. Open to all interested local naturalists, families and children–bring waders or rubber boats, headlamps, and warm clothing.

The interpretive walk will begin on the beach below the County Waterfront Park in Eastsound.

Researchers will be looking for colorful sea stars and sea slugs, and conducting the first ever nighttime seining to see what fish use the eelgrass meadows around Indian Island in midwinter! Meet on the beach, or follow the lights out to the island!

(More information about the Indian Island Marine Observatory is available at www.indianisland.info)