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:

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!

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:

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.

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:

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.