Sept 7 - Two-year Island drought affects salmon

Good morning !

Today we’re diving in—or rather, not—into the ongoing drought that has scientists worried about this fall’s salmon spawning season.

As someone new to plants and gardening, I’m learning the ups and downs of keeping my own green space alive—I’m wondering if the drought has led to any issues with your personal gardens. Let us know!

— Robyn

Today’s approx read time: 7 minutes

🌡️ Weather Forecast

Today: 🌤️ 19 / 11

Tomorrow: ☀️ 20 / 10

Day after: ☀️ 22 / 10

7 day weather forecast

🌫️ Air quality: Low risk today (2/10). Current smoke forecast.

🚘️ Driving today? Check the current traffic situation via Google.

NEWS

What will two years of drought do to the Island's salmon runs?

Since July 13, Vancouver Island has been in drought Level 5, making for an earlier dry season than last year.

Some experts say that smaller salmon bearing streams could face impacts from the early drought if no substantial and sustained rainfall begins.

Last year’s drought caused weeks of delay for salmon spawning, with the fish awaiting rainfall. This year is the first time that Jim Lane, manager of biologists with Uu-a-thluk, has seen extreme drought two years consecutively.

According to the Pacific Salmon Foundation, drought conditions cause lower water flow and increased temperatures in rivers and streams where salmon run. These conditions cause stress, an increase in the burning of energy, and a decrease in oxygen absorption.

“It’s hard to tell just what the losses are because they can come from very different sources,” said Lane. “You won’t really know until… three [or] four years from now, when you start looking at returns, adult returns, [and] if they’re significantly below… what is average.”

Read more about the issue here.

⚠️ Capital Bulletin

🛍️ Second Zellers pop-up to open at Mayfair Mall on Sept. 22.

NEWS

Record number of UVic researchers receive Canada’s highest academic honour

The Royal Society gives out the country’s highest honour for academic achievements—and 10 researchers from UVic have been awarded, the most to be honoured by the society at one time.

Selected by their peers for their academic excellence and contributions to their area of study and to Canadian public life, recipients will join Royal Society of Canada as fellows and members of New Scholars, Artists and Scientists.

Fellows include:

• Jonathan Bengtson, a leader in library sciences

• Alison Chapman, an expert in Victorian poetry

• Eric Higgs, known for his unique projects on mountain research

• Cornelis van Kooten, a prolific forest economist

• Amy Verdun, a political scientist focused on Europe

New members of New Scholars, Artists and Scientists with the society include:

• Mohsen Akbari, who has done groundbreaking research in biology and mechanical engineering

• Magdalena Bazalova-Carter, who has advanced cancer treatment through her work in medical physics

• Doris Kakuru, whose research includes social studies on children through an anti-racism and decolonization lens

• Onowa McIvor, a leader in Indigenous language revitalization

• Marie-Ève Tremblay, who works to unlock the secrets of the brain

NEWS

Saanich Peninsula Hospital overnight closures extended indefinitely

Saanich Peninsula Hospital emergency department will continue to close overnight because of a continued doctor shortage. Overnight closures were set to end two days ago, but Island Health has extended them. No timeline has been given for full reopening.

The 10pm-7am closures began two months ago; Island Health cited the need to prioritize the busy daytimes and early evenings. Since May, overnight ER capacity had been limited to “serious medical needs” from 11pm to 7am. There had also been a sudden full closure.

Island Health said in May that 8.5 patients would typically visit between 11pm and 7am. It told CHEK this week that 13 were typical for 10pm-7am and that based on patient addresses, three of those have shifted to VGH and Royal Jubilee. Island Health’s Marko Peljhan said others may be coming at different hours or have been from outside SPH’s main catchment to begin with.

Local surgical capacity is also reduced this fall, with VGH closing one operating room and Jubilee closing three.

SPONSORED BY DANCE VICTORIA

Special savings on the glittering, seasonal spectacular: Shumka's Nutcracker!

Save up to 20% off regular priced adult tickets to Ukrainian Shumka Dancers’ Nutcracker using promo code: Nut-Capital-Daily until Sep. 30, 2023, at 10pm.

Featuring principal dancers of the Kyiv Ballet (National Ballet of Ukraine) and the famed Virsky National Dance Ensemble. Shumka’s Nutcracker blends the grace and lyricism of classical ballet with the strength and power of Ukrainian folk dance.

This classic tale of young Clara and her dream Prince incorporates Ukrainian traditions and symbols, grand orchestral versions of Tchaikovsky's legendary score, and lavish sets and costumes designed by National Opera of Ukraine’s Maria Levitska. Performed to live music by the Victoria Symphony.

Dec. 1-2, 7pm | Dec. 2-3, 1pm | Royal Theatre

Tickets at Royal and McPherson Theatres or call the box office at 250-386-6121.

⭐️ Capital Picks

☀️ Summer at Ship Point: Enjoy the final days of summer in the Inner Harbour with food trucks, music, and games until Sept. 21.

🚴‍♀️ VO2max is more strongly associated with reduced mortality risk than any other metric we know of. Get the test at Tall Tree Health.*

🎥 Wes Anderson movies at Cinecenta this month.

📰 Stay in the loop with The Victoria Foundation! Our newsletter shares updates on local non-profits, donors, funding opportunities, grant announcements, publications, and more. Subscribe today!*

*Sponsored Listing

🗞️ In Other News

Another Island school district cuts ties with camp over anti-2SLGBTQ+ staff agreement: Cowichan Valley’s school district will follow the action of the Nanaimo-Ladysmith and Sooke districts, ending any contracts with Camp Qwanoes, which has been under fire for its mandatory staff agreement that requires employees to refrain from a list of “sexual sins” including “homosexual behaviour,” “premarital sex,” and “adultery.” All three school districts will no longer send students to the camp. [Cowichan Valley Citizen]

Tiny Town to shut down without new home: The small neighbourhood of shipping container homes on Caledonia will shut down as its licence with the City of Victoria expires, with city council saying the law prevents it from being extended further. Our Place, the owner of Tiny Town, hopes another municipality will host the community, which houses 40 people. [CHEK]

Another driver found tripling the speed limit along Beach Drive: A man, 21, was found going 115 km/h in the 40 km/h zone—the third driver to be caught this summer tripling the speed in this area, including two drivers in one July weekend.

BC ombudsperson says Ministry of Children and Family failed youth in care: Alexandra was told by the ministry that she would still have access to post-secondary funding if she left foster care to live with her aunt, but when she applied for funding at 19 she was told this wasn’t the case. BC’s ombudsperson is calling on the ministry to follow his recommendations to ensure other youth—three of which the ministry has rejected—are properly informed.

SPONSORED BY VANCOUVER TECH JOURNAL

Calling all entrepreneurs!

Vancouver Tech Journal is bringing another global business leader to the mainland.

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As the co-author of bestsellers "Rework" and "Remote", Fried is an innovator, trailblazer, and movement-maker.

Tickets start at $29. Get yours today, and use the code VTJP20 to get 20% off!

🗓️ Things to do

🕺🏾 UVic Surf Club presents: The Board Meeting: Kick off the new semester with Black Pontiac, Peanut Butter Telephone, Thirst Trap, and Millet at Capital Ballroom. [$20]

🎨 Arts and Culture Colwood Society and Parks Canada present 'In Sight Festival' September 9 and 10 at Fort Rodd Hill and Fisgard Lighthouse National Historic Sites. Free Admission!*

🎸 RELICS An Early Pink Floyd Experience: The band pays homage to the early days of Pink Floyd at Hermann’s.

🖼️ Recollections by Kristopher Parley and Nathan NAZO Davis: See new works by the artists on display from Sept. 7 to 30 at Fortune Gallery.

*Sponsored Listing

👀 In Case You Missed It

Students dodge rental scams and high rates in return to school. [Capital Daily]

150+ local surgeries postponed as Royal Jubilee shuts another operating room for two months. [Sunday]

Wildfire total hits 51 on the Island. [Times Colonist]

That’s it!

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