Waterfront Wednesday Jan 29, 2025
Waterfront Wednesday News
January 29, 2025
Working Waterfront visits Olympia for Maritime Day
Coalition staff will be attending and leading a delegation at Maritime Day in Olympia this year. Photo: Google.com
The annual Washington Maritime Federation 'Maritime Day' in Olympia is today, January 29th, in the state capitol. Delegations from all across the state and region will be visiting with legislators to discuss infrastructure, funding, and workforce development, to name a few important topics.
From Whatcom County, the Port of Bellingham will be highlighting the need for Model-Toxics Control Act (MTCA) funding to help clean up the Blaine wharf and industrial area, critical for work to continue on the rehabilitation and restoration of that area so that it can be utilized safely once again.
The Coalition will be advocating for fisheries inclusion in relief bills, infrastructure funding (including the Port's project), and the importance of funding our maritime apprenticeship programs and workforce development programs to address the growing gap in age of our maritime trades professionals, and the difficulty in getting our new generation the comprehensive training they'll need.
The Whatcom Working Waterfront Coalition will be leading one of the delegations this year and we're excited to talk with our legislators and advocate for a resilient maritime trades economy that works for everyone.
You can see a general list of priority topics below, via the link:
Delegation visits from Norwegion Maritime & Ocean Tech
BlueDay's BlueEco Shore Power package, one of the several companies visiting with the delegation. Photo: Blueday.no / BlueDay Technology
Join WA Maritime Blue for a delegation visit from Norwegian Maritime and Ocean Tech Companies with Innovation Norway.
For more than a decade - Washington State and Norway have had a close working relationship to grow the Blue Economy and have formal ties between the regions. Come engage with some of the latest innovators seeking to build connections and seek opportunities to expand into the US Market via our extraordinary cluster.
Thursday, February 6th - 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm w/ Networking Reception
Maritime Blue Hub @ Fishermen's Terminal
1900 W Nickerson St, STE 301, Seattle, WA 98119
RSVP required, via the link below:
Maritime WA National Heritage Area
Advocacy Workshop Helps Brush Up Skills
The Maritime WA National Heritage Area hosted a workshop last year for non-profits to get a download on advocacy and lobbying activities. Now, with the legislative season upon us, it's time to speak up for maritime heritage! Whether you're meeting with your local elected officials, joining Washington Arts, Heritage, and Science Week in Olympia, traveling to DC for National Preservation Advocacy Week, or dialing into Washington's Heritage Caucus, it helps to come prepared. Brush up on your advocacy skills with this video.
Thank you to Maritime WA National Heritage Area for this reference guide to lobbying, which you can watch via the link below:
Bellingham Seafeast Vendor Applications are Open
Lummi Nation grilled salmon is a highlight of the festival each year. Photo: Bellingham Seafeast
Bellingham Seafeast is officially accepting vendor applications for the 9th annual celebration, happening
September 27 & 28 this year! This waterfront seafood festival features music, games, maritime-related performances and demonstrations, and of course - our fishing fleet and the bounty of the sea they bring to shore. The festival is a core part of Bellingham and our maritime heritage and your business or organization can be part of it!
See the Vendor Handbook below and please note this year there is early-bird pricing - so reserve your booth space today!
Maritime Education Starts with Local Action
The NW Maritime Apprenticeship helps train marine service professionals right here in Whatcom County. Photo: Sierra Oliver
The Maritime Executive featured an op-ed this month, 'Maritime Education Starts with Local Action', which talks about the age gap that is growing in our maritime trades and how to develop workforce training and cultivate the next generation of marine trades professionals.
You can read the article via the link below:
AK Fisheries Face a Sea of Troubles
Purse Seine fishing vessels load nets in Alaska.
The Wilson Center recently published an op-ed presenting the difficulties that the Alaskan Fisheries face regarding world market conditions, fisheries collapses, climate change, rising costs, and global competition. The article highlights needed policy reforms in order to sustain the fisheries, which are not only vital for Alaska's economy - but for all those who have built their lives and livelihoods within it.
Winter 'On the Waterfront' Edition Out
The Working Waterfront Coalition has published our print edition of
On the Waterfront this last week. Featured in this edition are upcoming Waterfront Foundation programs, the Marine Trades Impact Study from the Port of Bellingham, new member highlights, and more.
Copies are making their way out to waterfront news stands and businesses. If you want to catch it online, however, visit our 'News -> On the Waterfront' tab up top, or linked here below:
Dates to Save
Check out the upcoming happenings related to our waterfront. Please click on the links to learn more. We hope to see you at some of these events!
Annual Coalition Member Appreciation Night
- February 12th, 5:30 to 8 p.m.
Join us at the Squalicum Boathouse in Zuanich Point Park. This annual evening celebrates our membership and also serves as a member-wide meeting to get direct feedback from members on programs, initiatives, and to help elect Board of Directors. Stick around after, from 7-8 p.m. for a mixer hour to connect with other members!
*Special for our members attending (and prospective members): One of our Port Commissioners will also give a Q&A session on the discussion of 3 vs. 5 commissioners - so plan to come if you're interested in that discussion!
Crew Connections Mixer
- February 26th, 5:30 p.m.
Happening at Structure's Brewing on Holly Street, downtown Bellingham. Are you interested in a job onboard a commercial fishing vessel? Are you a captain or operator looking to connect with potential crew? Come out for this ages 16+ event (Structures is all-ages friendly) and chat with operators and interested crew, make connections, and begin your maritime adventure!
Wild Seafood Connection
- February 27th, All Day
Presented by the Port of Bellingham and additional sponsors at the Holiday Inn on Mitchell Drive near the Airport, this one-day conference is aimed at the independent commercial fisherman who wants to learn about marketing and direct marketing to restaurants, retailers, brokers and seafood buyers.
Tide to Table 2025
- April 26th, 5:30 - 9 p.m.
Join us for our annual Tide to Table event hosted this year at the Bellwether Ballroom. Tickets and info coming soon. Join us for a fun night of celebrating our working waterfronts and those women and men who work hard each day in/on/around our waterfronts.
Are You Hiring? Use the Coalition Job Board
The Coalition's
Job Board is free, contactless, and easy! We designed this board for our commercial fishermen, marine trades industries and other waterfront jobs in mind, to act as a digital bulletin board for crew positions, contract hires, or regular employee spots that you want to have a digital space for.
If you have any questions on using it, reach out to our staff, info@whatcomworkingwaterfront.org. To submit a job posting, use the link below:
Affordable Health Benefits
for Statewide Maritime Companies
The Working Waterfront Health Trust provides affordable pooled insurance health plans for qualifying marine-trades businesses -
state-wide. The Trust launched two years ago, has grown steadily each year and provides a range of health plans to consider through Premera Blue Cross.
If you'd like to know more about the Health Trust, contact your insurance broker today and ask them about the Working Waterfront Health Trust. Fall is the peak time to meet with your broker to discuss options for your employees for 2025.
Port Commission Meetings
Port Commissioners Open Meetings are held at the Port Admin Offices and are open to the public. Check the Agenda Center (Linked on each meeting time below) for posted agendas. Agendas typically get posted a week in advance of the scheduled meeting. Two periods of public comment occur each meeting before and after the agenda items, as well as special public hearings as designated on the agendas.
Location: Port Admin Offices, 1801 Roeder Ave, Bellingham
(If agendas are not posted, links will be added later when they are)
Feb 4 - Board of Commissioner's Open Public Meeting
Feb 18 - Board of Commissioner's Open Public Meeting
Upcoming Waterfront & Coalition Events
Waterfront Events:
Crew Connections Mixer
February 26, 5:30pm
Structure's Brewing - Holly St
Join Bellingham Dockside Market, the Working Waterfront Coalition, Alaska Longliner Fisherman's Association and Wild Seafood Connection for an informal meet up at Structure's Brewing, to connect our vibrant commercial fishing industry here in Whatcom to anyone interested in working on the water! Free to attend, and all ages are welcome. After the mixer, stay for a special film screening by ALFA and a celebration!
February 27th, All Day
Hosted by the Port of Bellingham at the Holiday Inn on Mitchell Drive near the airport, this one-day conference brings in commercial fishing operators, industry experts, marine trades professionals, and others to discuss wild-caught seafood industry topics and local seafood issues. If you're a commercial fisherman or woman, this event can connect you to others in the sector who are working and tackling the same questions, solutions, and discussions that you are.
March 27-28, 9:00am - 6:00pm
Bendikson Landing, South Bend, WA
Washington Sea Grant is sponsoring a two-day Skills and Drills Course for new or beginning commercial fishermen in South Bend, Washington. This course is geared towards individuals interested in learning the necessary skills to enter the commercial fishing industry. No experience is required.
Anyone ages 18 and up who is interested in gaining basic skills that may be required onboard a West Coast commercial fishing vessel.
Coalition Events:
Copyright 2024 Waterfront Wednesdays by Whatcom Working Waterfront Coalition
Waterfront Wednesday is a publication
of the Whatcom Working Waterfront Coalition.
www.whatcomworkingwaterfront.org
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