Waterfront Wednesday Feb 4, 2026
Waterfront Wednesday News
February 4, 2026
Dept. of Ecology issues 2026 update on waterfront clean up
The Department of Ecology just issued an update on their clean up projects around the Bellingham and Whatcom waterfronts for 2026. You can read about the 12 sites via the document linked below:
The I & J Waterway will have ongoing work this year. Photo: Port of Bellingham
Port of Seattle commercial shipping berths. Photo: Port of Seattle
Tariffs and trade policy impact maritime jobs in the region
The tariff and trade policies of the last year have started to impact maritime workforce opportunities in the Puget Sound region. The Seattle Times explores the current landscape of the marine economy in the link below:
Troller goes electric
Some fishing vessels in Alaska are starting to look into alternative fuels and energy solutions as the maritime sector continues to undergo a massive shift in technology.
Read more from the National Fisherman below on one project with an Alaskan troller that is looking to hybridize their set up:
The Mirage is an Alaskan Troller upgrading their engine power to electric. Photo: Ben Matthys
Gate 5 commercial fishing fleet in Squalicum Harbor. Photo: Dan Tucker
Commercial fishing crews up for the season
Whatcom county has strong ties to the commercial fishing that happens both here and in Alaska. Several upcoming events are geared toward our commercial fishing community, operators, captains, and crews. Check them out below:
Eat Local First Trade Meeting
Sustainable Connections hosts their annual Eat Local First Trade Meeting, NW Washington's premiere food & farm business conference. This networking and development opportunity is great for local commercial fishing families and businesses.
When: Tuesday, Feb. 10th, 2026, 9:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Where: Holiday Inn & Suites, 4260 Mitchell Way, Bellingham
Alaska Longliner Fishermen's Association Crew Training
ALFA is hosting their annual Crew Training program and applications are open through March. Apply via the link above.
Maritime Job Fair
Hosted in collaboration with Worksource WA and several other partners, the Working Waterfront Coalition is offering a Maritime Trades Job Fair this year open to the public.
When: Wednesday, February 25th, 12:00-4:00 p.m.
Where: Squalicum Boathouse, Zuanich Point Park, Bellingham
Crew Connections 2026
Following the job fair above, the Coalition is hosting our annual Crew Connections mixer for Captains, Operators and prospective or returning crew to mingle, meet, and hopefully line up their crews for the seasons ahead. This informal gathering is open to the public.
When: Wednesday, Feb 25th, 5:00-8:00 p.m.
Where: Structure's Brewing - 601 W Holly St, Bellingham
Wild Seafood Connection
Wild Seafood Connection is a gathering aimed at helping commercial fishing families, Captains, Operators, and businesses to better direct-market their products with workshops, talks, panels, and networking.
When: February 26th
Where: Holiday Inn & Suites, 4260 Mitchell Way, Bellingham
Fisherman's Expo 2026
The annual Fishermen's Expo is happening in Sitka this year. Presentations and resources at the conference can aid both new and experienced crews alike.
When: February 24th, 8:45 a.m. - 5:00 -p.m.
Where: NSRAA Conference Room, 1308 Sawmill Creek Road, Sitka, AK
FisherPoets Annual Gathering
Join fishermen and women from around the region in this annual gathering celebrating the art and story of the commercial fishing community.
When: Feb 27 - March 1
Where: Astoria, Oregon
Port of Bellingham Interim-Director DeSimone at the helm
Interim-Director DeSimone sat down with Business Pulse magazine recently to talk about her experience and tenure at the Port of Bellingham, and how it has shaped her role at the Port.
Read about her via the link below:
Interim-Director DeSimone. Photo: Port of Bellingham
Legislative engagement on the waterfront
The WA legislative session is shaping up this year with several bills and initiatives being tracked across the short session.
This year, the Coalition will be attending the annual Maritime Day hosted by the Washington Maritime Federation, and they've published their 2026 Legislative Priorities. These will be some of the topics brought to meetings on Feb. 5th by delegates of the maritime industry from all over Washington state. Key issues include Model Toxins Control Act funding, which pays for much of the clean up in Bellingham Bay - many millions of the MTCA funds have been swept into the general fund over the last few years, delaying action in Bellingham and Blaine and directly impacting jobs, our economy, and our stewardship.
Maritime Day Legislative Priorities
These are some of the bills the Coalition is tracking this session. Not all of these bills are moving forward this session, but we will keep tracking them into next year's longer session.
HB-2398
Creating business and occupation tax credits for small businesses and employers providing maritime trade educational assistance to employees who are aboard, or are servicing, United States flagged vessels.
HB-1806
This redirects the fish-landing tax from the general fund, to go back toward helping local communities who rely on commercial fishing in the state.
HB-2679
This bill creates requirements for disclosure notices for property within proximity to maritime and industrial operations - similar to those required for airports or working forests in the state.
Tide to Table tickets on sale
Join the Working Waterfront Coalition for our annual Tide to Table celebration!
Mark your calendars for April 25th, and don your yacht-rock or fishermen-core threads for this old-fashioned seafood boil catered by Drayton Harbor Oyster Company and several of our Dockside Market friends!
This annual fundraiser features raffles, a live auction, dessert dash, and a lot of fabulous seafood. Come out and celebrate the bounty of our Salish Sea and all those work on, near, or around our waterfronts.
Tickets are now on sale, so get your seats reserved and we'll see you at Tide to Table '26!
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 Meetings:
February 17th - Board of Commissioners Open Public Meeting
February 24th - Board of Commissioners Work Study
February 26th - Board of Commissioners Work Study
March 3rd - Board of Commissioners Open Public Meeting
March 17 - Board of Commissioners Open Public Meeting
Past Meeting Information
YouTube Link:
Jan. 20 - Board of Commissioner's Open Public Meeting
Feb. 3 - Board of Commissioner's Open Public Meeting
Recent Minutes Posted:
Jan 6 - 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:
Lumen Field Event Center, Jan 30 - Feb 7
Whether you’re a seasoned sailor, a curious newcomer, or simply someone who loves the water, the Seattle Boat Show invites you to immerse yourself in the world of boating, fostering connections and a shared passion for the open seas. All ages are welcome at the Seattle Boat Show, so bring your friends or family and see the show!
Next Chapter Cafe, Fairhaven, Feb 14th
Next Chapter Cafe is partnering with author Cynthia Nims, Bellingham Seafeast and Dockside Market to bring you an unforgettable night of seafood, wine and conversation!
Maritime Lobbying Day
Olympia, Feb 5th
The annual Maritime Lobbying Day occurs on Feb. 5th, with the WA Maritime Federation leading delegations of maritime stakeholders in meeting with legislators from around the state to promote the benefits and vitality of our maritime economy, and issues that are important to them. The Coalition annually attends this event to advocate and interface on behalf of our members.
Squalicum Boathouse, Bellingham, Feb 25th, 12-4:00 p.m.
Join Worksource WA, NW Workforce Council, the Coalition, Foundation and several local businesses and partners for a public marine trades job fair at the Squalicum Boathouse. Attendees will have a chance to earn a raffle, and companies with local jobs will be on location to fill positions.
Strucutres Brewing - Holly St, Feb 25th
Join Bellingham's Dockside Market and the Working Waterfront Coalition for a special event in coordination with Wild Seafood Connection. Are you a vessel operator looking for crew? Are you someone interested in having an adventure aboard a wild-seafood fishing vessel? This event will be your connection to meet and greet vessel operators, potential crew, and other industry professionals that can help connect you to opportunities and poeple in the wild-caught seafood industry. There will be a short presentation on what it's like to be crew, and you'll have open time to mingle and meet operators, crew, and others with insight in the industry. Hosted at Structure's Brewing on Holly St, in the back room - this event is all ages friendly. We encourage anyone over the age of 16 who is interested in these opportunities to come and learn!
This event is free - but please
RSVP to help us plan and let us know you're coming!
Holiday Inn Bellingham, Feb 26th
WILD SEAFOOD CONNECTION is a one-day conference aimed at the independent commercial fisherman who wants to learn about marketing and direct marketing to restaurants, retailers, brokers and seafood buyers.
- Hear from restaurants and retailers, brokers and seafood buyers about what they need from you.
- Hear from your colleagues about their business through small business case studies.
- Learn how to get your high-quality product to market.
- Learn about funding sources for business operations, new equipment, vessel repowers and new construction. State and federal sources, as well as private lending will be discussed.
- Valuable one-on-one round-table discussions with shipyards, direct marketers, funding experts and colleagues.
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 2025.
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
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