plainfin midshipman in the news

[renoun]

West Seattle Blog has been writing about noise complaints this week and there has been speculation that the sound could from plainfin midshipmen. This is one of the odder news stories I have seen in a while. WSB's blog includes links to the TV coverage.

[Tom Nic]

Cool!

[Greg Jensen]

No way it's a midshipman. If it is, it must be one the size of a Trident sub to be heard that far from the beach. And in that case, you might want to stay out of the water....

[diverden]

No way it's a midshipman. If it is, it must be one the size of a Trident sub to be heard that far from the beach. And in that case, you might want to stay out of the water....

I have to agree. Look at the map in the OPs link. Sounds like a boat (small one, going fast) or airplane to me.

[Tom Nic]

I guess I have to put my tin foil hat back on.

[dwashbur]

I got the impression it was lots of midshipmen, not just one.

[Greg Jensen]

Yeah, and they're all in perfect harmony. And sending out mating calls even though they were finished breeding months ago.

Seeing the UW associated with this 'story' is more embarrassing than ANY Apple Cup loss. I just want to point out that the UW doesn't have a "marine biology" department, and I've never heard of these yo-yo's before. Some people will say/do anything to see themselves on TV...

[diverden]

Yeah, and they're all in perfect harmony. And sending out mating calls even though they were finished breeding months ago.

Seeing the UW associated with this 'story' is more embarrassing than ANY Apple Cup loss. I just want to point out that the UW doesn't have a "marine biology" department, and I've never heard of these yo-yo's before. Some people will say/do anything to see themselves on TV...

The story is still being reported on the radio (KPLU) I think because it's entertaining. They had a couple sound bytes from a "scientist" saying that it's possible but added ~"... we were unable to detect these sounds underwater".

[dwashbur]

I didn't actually see or hear the story; everything I heard was second-hand. I thought it sounded a bit weird, but stranger things have happened.