NOAA Scientists Develop New Method To Measure Toxic Tire Chemical In Marine Life, 6PPD-Quinone Can Kill Coho In Hours
October 8th, 2025
Scientists at NOAA’s Northwest Fisheries Science Center helped pioneer the study of an automobile tire toxin found to kill coho salmon when it runs off highways in stormwater and into streams. Now they have found a way to measure the toxin, 6PPD-quinone, directly in marine life, including fish, shellfish and marine mammals.
Groups File Lawsuit Contending Steelhead Net Pen Aquaculture In Upper Columbia Polluting River, Violating Clean Water Permits
August 11th, 2025
Two environmental groups are suing to halt what they say is pollution released from three commercial net pen aquaculture facilities that produce steelhead located on the Columbia River in Eastern Washington. The groups say Pacific SeaFood Aquaculture LLC has been violating its Clean Water Act permits since 2020 and has been harming wild fish and the river’s ecosystem, home to anadromous fish species listed under the federal Endangered Species Act.
Spring Spill To Aid Salmon, Steelhead Passage Now Going Full Blast At Eight Columbia/Snake River Dams
April 21st, 2025
Spring spill at Columbia/Snake River dams to aid juvenile salmon and steelhead in their migration through the hydro projects and out to the ocean is in full motion with all of the lower eight dams on the two rivers initiating full spill by April 10.
Washington State Gathers Info For Implementation Of TMDL Plan To Address High Water Temperatures In Columbia, Lower Snake Rivers
March 15th, 2025
The Washington Department of Ecology is hosting a public meeting March 17 to discuss how it will implement a long-awaited Total Maximum Daily Load plan for temperature in the Columbia and lower Snake rivers. The two rivers are included in Washington’s 303(d) list of impaired bodies of water due to their persistent high water temperatures that pose a threat to salmon and steelhead. The fish rely on the rivers for migration and spawning and some of the populations are listed under the federal Endangered Species Act. The temperature TMDL had been developed by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency by court …
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PSU Study Provides Evidence Microplastics Widespread In Edible Tissues Of The Fish People Eat On West Coast
February 7th, 2025
The tiny particles that shed from clothing, packaging and other plastic products are winding up in the fish that people eat, according to a new study from Portland State researchers, highlighting a need for technologies and strategies to reduce microfiber pollution entering the environment.