News Briefs

Mason Health hosting Bikers for Babies

Mason Health is hosting the second Bikers for Babies event this Saturday, Sept. 18.

The Indian Motorcycle of Bremerton, Indian Motorcycle Riders Group #2047 and Brothers Powersports is hosting the event and money raised will support the purchase of GE Panda Radiant Infant Warmer for the Mason General Hospital Birth Center.

Registration begins at 9 a.m. with breakfast for registered riders and passengers. The event starts at 11 a.m., with the route starting at The Brothers Powersports in Bremerton. The bikers will travel north on U.S. Highway 101 around Hood Canal to Hoodsport and continue to the hospital, arriving at 1 p.m. for a presentation and bathroom break. The bikes will travel Indian Motorcycles of Bremerton after the presentation and arrive at 3 p.m. for a provided lunch.

The registration fee for single riders is $20 and double riders are $30 for couples. Please note that COVID-19 safety practices must be followed during the event.

Riders can register online or find more information at Mason General's website or the day of the event at Brothers Powersports.

For those unable to participate in the event but still want to donate can donate through Mason General's Bikers for Babies webpage.

Chehalis Basin may retain jack coho starting Oct. 1

Fishers will be able to retain any jack coho as part of their daily limit beginning Oct. 1 through Dec. 31.

According to a news release, the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife will allow coho salmon to be counted as part of their daily limit. This applies to the Satsop River from the mouth to Schafer State Park and 400 below Bingham Creek Hatchery dam to dam. It applies to the Chehalis River from the mouth to high bridge on Weyerhaeuser 1000 line and on the Wynoochee River from the mouth to the WDFW White Bridge access site.

The change was made to provide harvest opportunity for the retention of all returning jack coho as agreed during the 2021-22 North of Falcon season setting process.

State calls on boaters to follow Be Whale Wise regulations

The state Department of Fish and Wildlife, NOAA Fisheries and partners are calling on recreational boaters to follow Be Whale Wise regulations and give endangered Southern Resident killer whales extra space.

According to a news release, scientific reports say there are multiple pregnancies among J-pod. There is a high rate of failed pregnancies among Southern Residents in recent years, meaning the regulations are extra important. Research shows food consumption increases by 25% in the final month of gestation, further emphasizing the importance of quieter waters so the whales can find food.

"We've got many people looking at the science to understand where we can continue to improve the odds for this population," WDFW director Kelly Susewind said in a news release. "Now that we've learned of multiple pregnancies among the Southern Residents and the impact that boats can have on new mothers, we really need everyone to follow Be Whale Wise regulations in support of these endangered whales survival."

The population currently sits at 74 as of July. The whales are listed as endangered since 2005 and face three main threats, which are a lack of food, contaminants in their water and food, and vessel noise and disturbance as they forage and communicate using echolocation.

Be Whale Wise regulations protect whales as they move, feed and socialize. Washington law requires vessels to stay at least 300 yards from Southern Resident killer whales and at least 400 yards out of their path or behind the whales. Vessels must also reduce their speed to seven knots within one-half nautical mile of whales.

Boaters are encouraged to watch for the Whale Warning Flag, an optional tool from the San Juan County Mariner Resources Committee, that lets other know that there might be whales nearby. If boaters see the flag, they should slow down and continue to follow Be Whale Wise regulations.

For more information about the regulations, visit bewhalewise.org.