Jan 8 - Sea sponge soaking up climate info

Good morning !

It's hard to replicate a newsday that featured a prime minister stepping down—and a Bigfoot story—so we’re keeping things a little lighter today.

Our first story is from the seafloor and is about an animal so slow and seemingly stationary that it was originally thought to be a plant. Then it sneezed.

A slight stretch, but also sea-related, we’ve got a handy guide to some of the best restaurants to consider the next time you’re dining out.

— Mark

Check out the results of yesterday’s poll: Were you surprised by Justin Trudeau's resignation announcement? 

Today’s approx. read time: 5 minutes

🌡️ Weather Forecast

Today: 🌥️ 7 / 5

Tomorrow: 🌥️ 7 / 5

Friday: 🌦️ 8 / 5

7-day forecast

NEWS

1 sea sponge near the Island could give insight into our changing oceans

Deep below the waves, on the floor of the Salish Sea, a small creature’s tiny movements could help scientists understand the complexity of deepwater environments. 

A small yellow sponge—researchers have nicknamed it Belinda—has been the centre of a four-year study conducted by UVic’s Ocean Networks Canada (ONC) to understand these complex animals. Once considered a plant by marine biologists because of its sedentary nature, this animal is more active—and resilient—than previously thought. 

Throughout the study, Belinda was recorded making frequent “sneeze-like contractions,” lasting up to a day each time, to clear out debris built up from filter feeding. 

For Sally Leys, lead researcher on the study and resident sea sponge expert at ONC, these ongoing contractions were a surprise, especially given these animals don’t have muscles.

“I didn't know they'd be that active,” said Leys. “I honestly didn't know the thing would go up and down and bounce around and, you know, basically look like a little bouncy ball on the seafloor.”

Belinda has been shown to adapt to different temperatures—from heatwaves to cold winter months. Leys says sea sponges are sentinels for the ocean’s well-being. Most animals on the seafloor move around and are difficult to monitor long-term.

“There's not many things on the seafloor that stay put and can be watched over the timeframes that we know climate changes at,” Leys said. 

Coral is often seen as the bellwether for changes in warmer ocean waters, but once they bleach, they die quickly. Sea sponges, however, seem to be more resilient—and Belinda continues to prove this point. Much like coral, sea sponges are a habitat builder for other animals, their “corner store” as Leys calls them. 

Read how Belinda is changing researchers' understanding of sea sponges and how deep-sea creatures handle climate changes.

⚠️ Capital Bulletin

Traffic signal down today at Blanshard and Caledonia, 7am-7pm. [Details]

Driving today? Check the current traffic situation via Google.

Support local journalism by supporting Capital Daily. Become a Capital Daily Insider member today and help bring local stories to life. 

NEWS

7 best restaurants in the Westshore

The 2024 Tasting Victoria Restaurant Awards came out last month, with 18 categories each featuring a trio of the best-of-the-best, mostly from across Greater Victoria. With strong showings across five categories, these restaurants helped the Westshore—particularly Langford—prove that great local food isn't limited to downtown Victoria.

You can check out the full list with photos and details at Tasting Victoria. 

But, if you need a shortlist of places for a bite in The Westshore—from the best burgers and tacos to your next pizza night go-to—read our condensed version here.

SPONSORED BY OLIVE FERTILITY CENTRE VICTORIA

The fertility journey: navigating your way

Join fertility specialist Dr. Lauren Whitehead, FRCSC, on Jan. 22, from 7pm to 8:30pm PST. Learn about common causes of infertility, effective treatments, and essential fertility tests. Gain practical tips on evidence-based diet and lifestyle changes to naturally optimize your fertility and overall well-being. Prepare for the upcoming public IVF funding in BC, starting April 2025, with all the information you need.

Bring your questions for the Q&A session. Space is limited. Register now.

⭐️ Capital Picks

🦅 Birds of a feather: See the fascinating wildlife of Sooke. [Facebook photos]

🎯 Opportunities are appearing! Choose from 50+ programs with Continuing Studies at UVic. Gain new skills and stay current in a competitive job market.*

🎶 Local music: Hear Victoria’s Rhianna Barr-Beaumont take on Paula Abdul’s classic “Cold Hearted.” [YouTube]

📝 Victoria Writers’ Society is holding its Annual General Meeting followed by an open mic session on Jan. 8 from 7pm to 8:30pm at Russell Books, 747 Fort St.*

🌊 Record waves on the Island's west coast. [TJ Watt photos]

*Sponsored Listing

🗞️ In Other News

View Royal house fire being investigated as arson
The single-family home on Damon near Six Mile sustained significant damage in the fire that was called in shortly after midnight Mon. View Royal firefighters cleared the house safely and put out the blaze but police are now investigating whether the fire was set on purpose. They’re looking for dash-cam video of the neighbourhood taken between 10pm Mon. and 3am yesterday. [RCMP]

19 impaired drivers removed from Island roads over New Year’s
BC Highway Patrol officers nabbed the motorists throughout the Island on New Year’s Eve and Day. Those impaired were issued driving bans that ranged from 24 hours to 90 days. According to ICBC, 21% of car crash fatalities involve impaired driving. [CHEK]

iPhone ‘buyer’ steals 1 device and tries for another
Two people selling iPhones on Facebook Marketplace had the supposed buyer try to steal their devices. In one case, they succeeded. In the other, they didn’t but one of the sellers was assaulted. Both incidents are alleged to have happened on Sun. in Langford. West Shore RCMP think it’s the same perpetrator. They advise anyone selling or buying online to be cautious by meeting with people during the day and taking someone along.

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🗓️ Things to do

🎹 Evan Crofton Trio: The Victoria-born keyboardist, vocalist, and Busty and the Bass band member returns to Hermann’s. Tomorrow. 7pm. [Info]

🍕 Trivia Thursday: Test your knowledge and grab a bite at Brickyard Pizza. Tomorrow. 7:30pm. [Info]

🎵 Encounters Concert: See the new Canadian chamber group perform under-represented and non-traditional music at Phillip T. Young Recital Hall. Tomorrow. 8pm. [Info]

🌊 Seaweed Workshop: Learn about food and medicine from the sea with Marine biologist and wild seaweed harvester Amanda Swinimer in this workshop. James Bay Community School Centre. Sat. 11am-1:30pm. [Info]

🗣️ Sidewalk Talk: Something on your mind? This community listening event has volunteers ready to hear your thoughts with 10-minute listening sessions at the Central Branch of GVPL. Sat. 11am-2pm. [Info]

👀 In Case You Missed It

Tuesday’s headlines: Trudeau stepping down; Bigfoot and the Island; UVic student dies in Thailand; And more. [Jan. 7]

Wayward sea lion may be injured or sick, not lost: vet. [Times Colonist]

Cherry blossom season arrives: See the pretty pink flowers on Douglas. [Facebook photos]

Wooly bear caterpillars can be seen in the winter—but their bands don't predict the weather. [Blog]

Kayaker rescued in 8C Sidney waters on New Year’s Day. [Victoria News]

The bird & the bones at a roadside in Port Alberni. [Facebook photos]

That’s it!

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