The daily Astorian. (Astoria, Or.) 1961-current, November 05, 2019, Image 7

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The daily Astorian., November 05, 2019, Page 7, Image 7

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Newspaper Page TextA7 THE ASTORIAN • TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 2019 Company aims to farm steelhead following Atlantic salmon escape By EVAN BUSH Seattle Times SEATTLE — Last month, a net pen used for ﬁ sh farming and operated by Cooke Aquaculture Paciﬁ c began to dip below the surface off Bainbridge Island. A hole in a pontoon left the structure’s southeast corner partially submerged. Repairs were eventually made. But now as Cooke seeks to farm steel- head trout — instead of the nonnative Atlan- tic salmon that state law will soon ban — the incident has caught the attention of state regulators. The events recalled the hectic summer of 2017, when hundreds of thousands of Atlan- tic salmon escaped a similar Cooke structure in the Salish Sea. Tribal ﬁ shers described it as a “devastation.” Wildlife ofﬁ cials called for open season on escapees. The state’s Department of Natural Resources eventually terminated some Cooke leases and its ecol- ogy department ﬁ ned the company $332,000 over water-quality violations, before the state Legislature in March 2018 voted to phase out the farming of nonnative ﬁ sh — including Atlantic salmon — in Washington waters. No ﬁ sh escaped from the pen last month, according to Joe Smillie, a spokesman for DNR. The site still hosts Atlantic salmon, but they were in pens unaffected by the leak. Divers repaired a dime-sized hole in the pon- toon. The DNR is investigating. For critics, however, the partially sub- merged pen was pink meat in their ﬁ ght over ﬁ sh farming. “Risky business,” said Kurt Beardslee, of the Wild Fish Conservancy. “They’re interfering in our ﬁ shing areas,” said Merle Jefferson, executive director of the Lummi Nation’s Natural Resources Department, adding that Cooke was lucky to have avoided another escape. Cooke must cease raising Atlantic salmon here in 2022. The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife last month proposed to issue a ﬁ ve-year aquaculture permit to Cooke for steelhead. The proposal is out for public comment through Nov. 22. As the company pivots, opponents say it faces an uphill battle to gain public trust. The WDFW proposal represents Cooke’s ﬁ rst attempt to convince regulators it can put its troubled past behind and continue farm- ing here. Cooke has applied to raise mostly sterile steelhead, or seafaring rainbow trout, in ﬂ oat- ing net pens at seven sites in Washington. A Pierce County company, Troutlodge, would supply only female ﬁ sh eggs. Eggs would be subjected to pressure to force them to retain a third set of chromosomes, mak- ing the ﬁ sh triploid and sterile. Troutlodge claims a 99.83% sterilization rate, accord- ing to environmental documents Cooke ﬁ led with WDFW. Captive triploid steelhead are often shaped like footballs, with smaller heads and stout bodies, the documents say. As with Atlantic salmon, Cooke plans to feed the ﬁ sh with pellets in open-air pens. The steelhead would take about 12 to 18 months to grow before they are harvested at a target weight of 7 to 9 pounds. Cooke needs more permits to begin operations. At some sites, Cooke would require new aquatic lands leases from the DNR. Cooke is suing over DNR’s cancellation of its Port Angeles lease. DNR also cancelled its Cypress Island lease. Cooke must amend water-quality per- mits with the state Department of Ecol- ogy to reﬂ ect the proposed change of spe- cies. In addition, the company needs another WDFW permit every time it seeks to move ﬁ sh from hatcheries to pens, said Ken War- heit, supervisor of ﬁ sh health and molecular genetics for the state. The company declined comment. Cooke’s critics have many concerns. Beardslee said viruses, parasites and dis- eases could be ampliﬁ ed by dense groups of net-pen ﬁ sh and spread to free-swim- ming populations of trout and salmon. He questions the structural integrity of Cooke’s OBITUARIES Solveig Dorothy Rynning Clark pens and worries ﬁ sh could escape en masse again, interbreed with wild steelhead and put “thousands of years of genetic diversity we have at stake.” Beardslee compared net-pen pollution to a ranch where “cattle are poop- ing right into the water.” Fish farming should not be allowed in Puget Sound where we’re “spending hun- dreds of millions of dollars” to clean up, he said. “The only way you can stop these from being a threat to the surrounding environ- ment is to move them on land.” Beardslee said WDFW should complete a lengthy, detailed environmental impact statement for Cooke’s proposal, rather than merely updating the 1990 document that originally allowed ﬁ sh farming. Warheit said risks to trout stocks in the natural environment would be low and could be largely mitigated with measures required by the agency. Cooke’s pens must be inspected by struc- tural engineers every two years by law, War- heit said. “If we feel the net pens do not have struc- tural integrity, we will not permit ﬁ sh in those net pens,” Warheit said. The agency would consider the leaky pontoon incident as it weighs a ﬁ nal decision on the proposal. He said Cooke’s ﬁ sh would be tested and vaccinated for IHN, a virus that could affect free-swimming steelhead and salmon, and other viral pathogens, too. Local sourcing of native eggs removes many concerns about introducing new pathogens to Salish Sea steelhead, he said. Escaped captive steelhead would face challenging hurdles to reproduction, Warheit said. Of escapees, just 0.2% would be fertile, he said, adding that the triploid ﬁ sh would be less able to survive in the natural environ- ment because of their captive upbringing. “These ﬁ sh have had no experience. No idea how to eat natural food. In many respects, that could have been bred out of them,” he said. The ﬁ sh would likely need to survive for several months, or perhaps a year, to reach sexual maturity. Then, they would need to migrate into a freshwater system during a steelhead run, dig a redd, or a nest for eggs, and be discovered by a fertilizing male. “I can’t say it’s impossible. Nothing’s impossible, but the risk is extremely low,” Warheit said. Independent scientists backed much of Warheit’s analysis. Andrew Dittman, a research ﬁ sheries biologist for Northwest Fisheries Science Center, said using triploid ﬁ sh was a com- mon and largely effective process for main- taining a sterile population. However, he cast doubt on Cooke’s sug- gestions that farmed ﬁ sh would struggle to ﬁ nd spawning grounds, saying studies on the topic have produced mixed results. “I wouldn’t necessarily assume they’re just going to sit in Puget Sound and do noth- ing,” Dittman said. Rachel Breyta, a viral and molecular epi- demiologist at the University of Washing- ton’s School of Aquatic and Fishery Sci- ences, said a trout-speciﬁ c form of the deadly IHN virus has never reached Puget Sound. “This is the major risk associated with farming steelhead in Puget Sound,” Breyta said. “If ﬁ sh or eggs have that virus or move to Puget Sound without testing or check- ing, it could introduce that pathogen into the water in a naive system.” The virus kills juvenile trout and has no treatment after disease begins. But Breyta said the vaccine for IHN is effective. Careful management and state reg- ulation “can bring the risk down very low.” If an infectious epidemic were discov- ered, what marine ﬁ sh farms typically do is cull the entire infected population to prevent “ampliﬁ cation” of the virus in a dense group- ing of ﬁ sh, Breyta said. In an epidemic infec- tion, “all populations would be at risk of seri- ous mortality now and in the future.” In other words: The risk is low, but conse- quences could be severe. Viruses can evolve rapidly and will require careful monitoring, Breyta added. SEVENDAY FORECAST FOR ASTORIA TODAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY Astoria Feb. 28, 1924 — Oct. 27, 2019 Solveig Dorothy Rynning Clark, age of her death. She was a member of the Choristers 95, died Oct. 27, 2019. Solveig was born in La Crosse, Wis- Guild and American Guild of Organists. When asked to described her consin, on Feb. 28, 1924, the calling, she would say it was to second of six children born to accompany other musicians, both Rolf Rynning and Sadie (Rue) vocalists and instrumentalists, Rynning. and help them bring out the best Solveig was raised in La in their performance. Crosse. She was baptized and She loved to travel, and took conﬁ rmed in the Lutheran several trips abroad with Fory, Faith. She was active in Luther and later with her daughter, Cyn- League, where she met her thia. In the early years, the fam- future husband, and she was a ily traveled by car across and Girl Scout. Solveig Clark around much of the U.S. and Can- After graduating from Cen- ada. Unfortunately for mom, that tral High School in June 1941, she went on to attend St. Olaf College in meant tent camping, which was not on her Northﬁ eld, Minnesota, where she gradu- list of favorite things. A talented woman, she enjoyed knit- ated with highest honors. Music was a major part in Solveig’s ting intricately detailed sweaters, and life. Starting at age 4, she would sit on the sewing almost anything from pajamas to ﬂ oor and listen to her older sister’s piano tailored suit coats. She was looking forward to going lesson. After the lesson was over, she would climb up on the piano bench and home to the h eavenly f ather, and to be play by memory what had been taught to reunited with friends and family who had gone on before. her older sister. Solveig was preceded in death by her In high school, Solveig was part of a trio with her sister, Jeannette, and good husband; a daughter, JoAnne; a grand- friend, June Brown. The trio played all daughter, Naomi; her parents; and two over town for civic organizations, church brothers, one who died as a young child. She is survived by son Paul (Gogi) functions and for a war bond rally, appear- ing on a small stage with Gene Tierney Clark; daughter Cynthia (Stewart) Dall; and Chester Morris. She also played for a son John (Kathy) Clark; six grandchil- dren; and nine great-grandchildren. local radio broadcast. Solveig’s family offers a heartfelt While attending St. Olaf C ollege, she thank you to the entire staff at Clatsop sang in the renowned St. Olaf C hoir. Solveig married Forrest “Fory” Clark Retirement Village for your professional Oct. 4, 1947, in La Crosse. Following and personal care, offered generously and Fory’s ordination into the Lutheran min- lovingly to our mom. A memorial service will be held istry in 1950, she worked with Fory as he served as pastor to congregations in Wis- at 1 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 12, at Peace consin, Montana, Washington and Ore- Lutheran Church, 565 12th St. in Astoria. gon. They moved to Astoria, Oregon, in A reception will follow the service at the 1975, where she lived the rest of her life. church. Memorial contributions can be sent She directed children, junior and senior choirs, as well as specialty groups. to: the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Solveig particularly enjoyed directing her America Hunger Fund, ELCA Gift Pro- cessing Center, P.O. Box 1809, Merriﬁ eld, men’s choral groups. A skilled musician, she played both VA., 22116-8009; and the Lutheran Indian piano and pipe organ for her local church, Ministries, 15400 W. Capitol Drive, Suite as well as for other local churches. She 201, Brookﬁ eld, WI., 53005. Please sign the online guest book at continued to play for church services at Clatsop Retirement Village until the time caldwellsmortuary.com OBITUARY POLICY The Astorian publishes paid obituaries. The obituary can include a small photo and, for veterans, a ﬂ ag symbol at no charge. The deadline for all obituaries is 9 a.m. the business day prior. Obituaries may be edited for spelling, proper punctuation and style. Death notices and upcoming services will be published at no charge. Notices must be submitted by 9 a.m. the day of publication. Obituaries and notices may be submitted online at DailyAstorian.com/forms/obits, by email at ewilson@dailyastorian.com, placed via the funeral home or in person at The Astorian ofﬁ ce, 949 Exchange St. in Astoria. For more information, call 503-325-3211, ext. 257. APPLIANCE PACKAGE DEALS APPLIANCE AND HOME FURNISHINGS 529 SE MARLIN, WARRENTON 503-861-0929 Over Mattresses, Furniture & More! 30 Y E A R S IN C L AT S O P COUNT Y SUNDAY MONDAY HOURS OPEN: MON-FRI 8-6 * SATURDAY * SUNDAY 10-4 We Service What We Sell REGIONAL FORECAST Shown is today’s weather. Temperatures are today’s highs and tonight’s lows. Seattle 54 37 57 42 60 43 57 47 Partly sunny Partial sunshine Mostly cloudy Mostly cloudy 58 46 58 44 Showers possible Showers possible 57 42 Rain Aberdeen Olympia 53/41 55/42 Wenatchee Tacoma Moses Lake 54/35 ALMANAC UNDER THE SKY TODAY'S TIDES Astoria through Sunday Tonight’s Sky: First quarter moon (2:23 a.m.). Peak of the Taurid meteor shower. Astoria / Port Docks Temperatures High/low ................................ 51/45 Normal high/low .................. 56/42 Record high .................. 73 in 2010 Record low .................... 27 in 2003 Precipitation Sunday ..................................... 0.00” Month to date ........................ 0.00” Normal month to date ......... 0.91” Year to date .......................... 38.75” Normal year to date ........... 47.13” Forecasts and graphics provided by AccuWeather, Inc. ©2019 Time 8:19 a.m. 7:39 p.m. 6.7 1:37 a.m. 6.1 2:08 p.m. 1.2 3.4 Cape Disappointment 8:14 a.m. 7:23 p.m. Source: Jim Todd, OMSI Hammond SUN AND MOON Sunrise today .................. 7:01 a.m. Sunset tonight ............... 4:56 p.m. Moonrise today ............. 2:35 p.m. Moonset today ...................... none First Full Last New 8:16 a.m. 7:32 p.m. Warrenton 8:14 a.m. 7:34 p.m. Knappa 8:56 a.m. 8:16 p.m. Depoe Bay Nov 4 Nov 12 Nov 19 Nov 26 7:32 a.m. 6:41 p.m. 6.2 12:55 a.m. 1.0 5.8 1:53 p.m. 3.4 6.7 1:08 a.m. 6.3 1:58 p.m. 1.1 3.5 7.1 1:21 a.m. 6.5 1:52 p.m. 1.3 3.5 6.9 2:38 a.m. 6.4 3:09 p.m. 1.0 2.9 6.9 12:25 a.m. 1.3 6.4 1:19 p.m. 4.0 City Atlanta Boston Chicago Dallas Denver Honolulu Houston Los Angeles Miami New York City Phoenix San Francisco Wash., DC Today Hi/Lo/W Wed. Hi/Lo/W 68/48/s 61/41/sh 42/30/pc 69/59/c 57/32/s 87/76/pc 78/59/pc 80/56/s 88/77/pc 60/41/r 89/66/s 70/50/s 65/41/s 70/50/s 51/40/s 47/25/c 72/59/t 50/28/s 88/74/pc 77/61/pc 77/55/s 88/78/t 53/43/s 86/62/pc 68/51/s 57/45/s Weather (W): s-sunny, pc-partly cloudy, c-cloudy, sh-showers, t-thunderstorms, r-rain, sf-snow fl urries, sn-snow, i-ice. 56/36 Hermiston The Dalles 57/29 Enterprise Pendleton 59/31 57/31 58/34 La Grande 61/30 56/36 NATIONAL CITIES High (ft.) Time Low (ft.) 55/32 Kennewick Walla Walla 55/34 Lewiston 54/29 53/38 Salem Pullman 56/29 Longview 54/37 Portland 57/40 51/31 Yakima 54/31 54/37 Astoria Spokane 52/34 Corvallis 57/34 Albany 56/35 John Day Eugene Bend 56/34 69/32 65/34 Ontario 58/28 Caldwell Burns 64/22 57/28 Medford 68/38 Klamath Falls 64/26 City Baker City Brookings Ilwaco Newberg Newport Today Hi/Lo/W 60/24/s 62/49/pc 53/39/c 56/36/c 55/39/pc Wed. Hi/Lo/W 56/23/pc 68/50/pc 56/45/pc 56/39/pc 56/43/pc City North Bend Roseburg Seaside Springfi eld Vancouver Today Hi/Lo/W 58/39/pc 60/39/pc 54/38/pc 57/36/pc 57/38/pc Wed. Hi/Lo/W 60/42/pc 62/38/pc 57/43/pc 56/35/pc 58/40/pc