Waterfront Wednesday Aug 5, 2026
Waterfront Wednesday News
August 5, 2026
Commissioner Candidates roll
into General Election
Two commissioners each from Districts 4 & 5 are set to roll into the General Election for the Port of Bellingham. Current election data from the VoteWa.gov website shows Tor Benson and Paul Burrill leading the results for District 4, and Shawn Ensley and Chris Elder leading for District 5, with Todd Lagestee not far behind Mr. Ensley.
There will be another update this evening to the results at 8:00pm. You can check them via the link below:
Whatcom Waterway. The Industrial Symbiosis Feasibility Project will study ways that our businesses and organizations can co-locate and partner to use the processes, waste-heat and water, and other byproducts of their businesses to create symbiotic relationships through our economy to reduce, reuse, and recycle within our business ecosystem. Photo: Port of Bellingham
Port of Bellingham selected for Industrial Symbiosis Assistance
(OLYMPIA, WA) July 23, 2026 -- The Port of Bellingham is among seven Washington communities looking to develop industrial symbiosis parks or hubs that will receive technical assistance from the Center for Sustainable Infrastructure (CSI) thanks to the Washington Department of Commerce's Industrial Symbiosis Technical Assistance Program (ISTA Program) established by the Washington Legislature.
Whatcom County Industrial Symbiosis Feasibility Project -- The Port envisions using this opportunity to explore creating an industrial symbiosis hub that connects resource streams from the agricultural and forestry sectors in rural areas of Whatcom County. Stakeholders including agricultural producers, particularly dairies, wood and forest product manufacturers, food recovery networks, Whatcom County, the City of Bellingham, Kulshan Carbon Trust, Whatcom PUD, and Puget Sound Energy have committed to partnering with the Port in the ISTA Program to explore industrial symbiosis opportunities that improve resource efficiency, reduce waste, and create value from underutilized materials.
You can read more about the project via the Port's website below:
Bellingham SeaFeast
to host Oyster Expo
SeaFeast's Oyster Expo is your deep dive into the glorious world of Pacific Northwest oysters. Sample up to a dozen freshly shucked oysters from local farms, meet the incredible farmers behind your bivalves and even snag some to take home if you just can't get enough. Open to all ages, though keep in mind these are raw shellfish so come with an adventurous appetite. This is PNW seafood culture at its finest.
Saturday, Sept 26 or Sunday, Sept 27, Times TBA
Squalicum Boathouse | $30
Other special SeaFeast events include insider tours of All American Marine, a shucking competition, and VIP packages. Join us after hours for Fish Tales & ALes at Beach Cat Brewing!
Join us for Bellingham SeaFeast's 10th Anniversary and help us make it special! Photo: Bellingham SeaFeast
Pier floats in Squalicum Harbor. Upgrades to infrastructure that create better access to the water are part of a new initiative for funding and policy changes. Photo: Deb Granger.
NMMA launches
Waterways Access Initiative
Last month, National Marine Manufacturer's Association (NMMA) launched the Waterways Access Initiative, a multi-year advocacy campaign focused on protecting and expanding access to America’s public waters.
Over the last several decades, the infrastructure and systems that allow boaters to access the water in many places is falling behind in maintenance and investment. Over half of marine industry leaders are reporting that infrastructure constraints are leading to negative growth and impact on the industry.
The initiative is aimed at providing investment and policy changes to aspects such as fisheries access and management, storage capacity, permitting barriers, and expanding public access.
You can read more about the initiative and how to support it via the link below:
WCC students to help develop Whatcom 'Maritime Atlas'
Students in the 2026–27 Engineering in Context cohort at Whatcom Community College will partner with BlueWater GIS and the Whatcom Maritime Heritage Museum, alongside regional organizations to help develop the Whatcom Maritime Atlas. The Atlas is an interactive digital storytelling project exploring the history, ecology, and working waterfront of Bellingham Bay. Working alongside community partners, students will apply engineering, mathematics, GIS, and history concepts while helping document the environmental, cultural, and economic changes shaping Bellingham Bay.
The Maritime Atlas is funded in part by a grant from the
Maritime WA National Heritage Area
and matching partners.
You can learn more about the museum via the link below, and stay tuned for the Whatcom Maritime Atlas Project to debut in the coming year.
The Whatcom Maritime Heritage Museum, located in the Fairhaven Cruise Terminal, is open on Fridays. The museum is excited to build a digital catalogue of stories around Whatcom maritime heritage. Photo: Dan Tucker
Contact us today to learn more!
Keep your top talent with the Working Waterfront Health Trust
The Working Waterfront Health Trust is built for our marine trades employers
state-wide to access pooled plans through Premera Blue Cross.
As renewals come up for fall, we encourage all of our maritime and marine trades employers to look into these cost-saving plans for your business. Keep your employees covered and grow your business with the Working Waterfront Health Trust.
Find out more information via the link below:
Third Annual Fish Tales & Ales returns for Bellingham SeaFeast
Our third annual "Fish Tales & Ales" is happening on Sept. 26th, at 6:00pm
at Beach Cat Brewing: South Paw. The event is a special glimpse into the world and lives of our commercial fishermen and those who work to support the industry. Hear their stories, poetry, and songs as they share the joys, triumphs, challenges, and ruminations on their unique lifestyle and profession. You'll laugh, you'll be surprised, and you'll lean into some of the stories
with a deeper appreciation for the work that goes into to the fish on your dinner plate. We hope that you'll join us.
Fish Tales & ALes
September 26th, 6:00pm
Beach Cat Brewing: South Paw
1010 C Street, Bellingham
*A note on parking*
Parking at the venue is limited. We highly recommend bussing to the festival this year (and to Fish Tales & Ales) using
WTA's
Waterfront Trolley, Line 47.
Skip the hassle of parking at the waterfront with this easy route!
Commercial fishermen and fishing industry professionals:
We're looking for commercial fishermen or those who work commercially on the water supporting them to share their experiences with the folks who come to this event. We'll be hosting at Beach Cat Brewing: South Paw this year as we did last year, and we anticipate another packed house. If you're interested to participate - call or email our staff asap to get on the list!
Apprentices learn everything from bilge to bridge, and bow to stern on how to build, maintain, and repair commercial and recreational vessels. Photo: Dan Tucker
Apprenticeships Available
Whether you’re already working in the industry and want to expand your skills, an employer investing in your team’s training, or someone ready to begin a career in the marine trades—the Northwest Maritime Apprenticeship is here for you.
Don’t miss your chance—enrollment is still open for our next Level 1 Cohort starting September 12th.
- 4-year state-registered apprenticeship training Marine Service Technicians
- Earn while you learn: on-the-job training + weekly evening classes & one Saturday a month (Sept–April)
- Employers welcome: open to marine service & boat building companies in Whatcom, Skagit, Snohomish, Island, San Juan, Kitsap, Jefferson, Clallam, and King County
Eligibility:
- 18 years or older
- High school diploma or GED
- Must be employed by a marine service or boat building company
Contact information@waterfrontfoundation.org to learn more and secure your spot today!
Signs Plus adds one up
Drivers along Roeder Ave in Bellingham may have noticed the new sign at Seattle Marine, Bellingham's location.
We'd like to give a shout out to Signs Plus for the excellent work in helping us install the new piece that calls attention to our working waterfronts and our Coalition. Thank you to Sydney, Jim, Scott and the whole team at Signs Plus!
There will be another sign located in Blaine in the near future, as well, so stay tuned in the fall for our Blue Drinks and the new sign to show our support for the Blaine working waterfront!
Thank you, Signs Plus team!
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
Port of Bellingham Agenda Center (check here for updated agendas)
Upcoming Meeting:
Aug. 18 - Board of Commissioners Open Public Meeting
Sept. 01 - Board of Commissioners Open Public Meeting
Past Meeting Information
YouTube Link:
June 9 - Board of Commissioner's Open Public Meeting
July 14 - Board of Commissioner's Open Public Meeting
Recent Minutes Posted:
June 9 - Board of Commissioner's Open Public Meeting
Want to get the highlights from each meeting on our maritime trades and marine-related topics? Join the Coalition as a member to get access to Commissioner meeting briefs, available on the member page of our website! Join us and add your voice to the waterfront discussion HERE.
Upcoming Waterfront & Coalition Events
Waterfront Events:
Shrimp Art Nouveau Paint & Sip
Aug. 7, 5:00-7:00pm, WW Offices, 708 Coho Way
Join Bellingham SeaFeast for a Paint & Sip event 5-7pm at the Working Waterfront Coalition of Whatcom County office at Squalicum Harbor. This unique night out combines art, local flavor, and Northwest vibes, with step-by-step guidance for a whimsical shrimp swirled in flowing Art Nouveau linework. It's equal parts elegant and playful.
Sept. 12-20, Whatcom County
Whatcom Water Week is an annual community event that celebrates the water resources of Whatcom County. Water Week offers many different family-friendly events throughout the county with opportunities to have fun, learn, and make a difference.
Aug. 11, 18, 25, Sept. 1, Community Boating Center
Come float with the Community Boating Center and Schooner Zodiac for an evening of music, community, and fun on the Bay! Beats on the Bay is presented by the Community Boating Center, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit fostering small-watercraft education, access, safe recreation, and marine stewardship on Bellingham Bay. Every rental and donation keeps these concerts free.
In collaboration with the
Schooner Zodiac.
Aug. 22-Oct. 25, Cordata Gallery, 465 W Stuart Road
Bellingham SeaFeast invites you to Creative Currents, a juried exhibition marking ten years of honoring the waters that shape our community. On view August 22 through October 25 at Cordata Gallery, 465 W Stuart Road, Bellingham, this collection brings together regional artisans working across painting, sculpture, fiber, and craft—each piece a meditation on the Salish Sea, the working waterfront, and the quiet forces of tide and current that define life here.
Coalition Events:
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 2026 and 2027.
This newsletter sponsored by:
Alta-Gas
Premera
Copyright 2025 Waterfront Wednesdays by Whatcom Working Waterfront Coalition
Waterfront Wednesday is a publication
of the Whatcom Working Waterfront Coalition.
www.whatcomworkingwaterfront.org
Do you have news about our waterfront?
Drop us a line and tell us about it.
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