Waterfront Wednesday November 4, 2026
Waterfront Wednesday News
November 4, 2026
George Dyson to give presentation
Join the Woman Boaters of the Salish Sea as they present George Dyson, local historian, boat builder and designer, published author and waterfront advocate for a talk on his experience and life by the Salish Sea.
Happening this Sunday, November 8th, from 2-4pm, at the Squalicum Yacht Club in Squalicum Harbor.
To RSVP, contact Mimi at 808-781-6464
Pink Salmon swimming. The Fraser River saw an above-average run in the recent generation, but much less than average in the West Vancouver Island run. Read more in the report from Pacific Salmon Foundation.
2026 State of the Salmon
report out
The Pacific Salmon Foundation's State of the Salmon 2026 Report provides an overview of the trends for six species of Pacific salmon. You can check out the data on the report and download it at the link below:
New Fairhaven kayak dock under construction
The Community Boating Center and Port of Bellingham are excited to break ground on the construction of a new kayak dock and vessel launch.
The new dock will feature new infrastructure that will allow the sailboats and watercraft at the facility to be ADA-accessible, in a first for the County.
Construction is expected to conclude in January 2027, with the facilities up and ready for the summer 2027 season. You can read more about the project, and watch the live-cam footage of the construction, via the link below:
Construction begins at the Community Boating Center. Photo: Port of Bellingham
Navigator's Night returns
Join the Community Boating Center at the Bellingham Cruise Terminal for Navigators’ Night, an evening celebrating the people who make the Community Boating Center more than just a place - a community.
Over local food and drinks, they’ll share stories from another remarkable year on Bellingham Bay and celebrate the friendships, partnerships, and shared experiences that bring our waterfront to life. Together, they’ll also look ahead to an exciting new chapter and potential as they welcome a new dock this year, creating more opportunities for people of all ages and backgrounds to connect with the water and one another.
Learn more about the event and get your tickets today via the link below:
Commercial fishermen called
to action
The Fishery Friendly Climate Action Campaign has put out a call to commercial fishermen from every coast to join the efforts as making sure fishermen have access to federal grants and fuel price relief.
Fishing industry members and their friends are invited to fill out the form on the website linked below to support fishing industry-led advocacy to expand federal efficiency and relief programs.
Read more and sign on via the link below:
Commercial fishing vessels in Squalicum Harbor. Photo: Dan Tucker
The waterfront clean up work that is happening all around our waterfront is an important part of the strategy for economic development in our region. Photo: Port of Bellingham
Port of Bellingham presents
2027 Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy
The Port of Bellingham is releasing the 2027-2031 Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy document and guide this week. The document is a culmination of stakeholder and Port input and goals, and aims to guide the Port and local action in developing our regional economy.
The Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) is a living document that reflects our economic goals, and contains several key themes related to our marine trades:
- Marine trades are a named priority cluster. They sit alongside recreation and tourism as clusters “vital to Whatcom County’s economy,” with working waterfronts in Blaine, Bellingham and Lummi Nation.
- Workforce shortages are a central concern. The plan notes high demand for welders, electricians, fabricators and marine technicians, few marine-specific training programs and little awareness in K-12. The Port commits to hosting Blue Tech by the Bay every year, supporting Buoyant Beginnings and Northwest Maritime Apprenticeship, and holding a marine trades roundtable focused on workforce.
- The plan names specific infrastructure gaps in shipyard and haul-out space (drydock, self-repair areas), affordable short-term cold storage for small fishers, long moorage waitlists and deferred marina maintenance.
- It names opportunities in vessel electrification, ocean tech and support for the MERIS program (possibly at Blaine Harbor). It also flags the lack of funding to help commercial vessels upgrade from diesel engines.
- It includes ideas for regulatory streamlining for maritime operations, educating elected officials (including industry tours), the lack of a US Customs port of entry on the water, a Native Fisheries Market Assessment, and Phase II of the Industrial Lands Study.
Port of Bellingham Commissioners Results
The Port of Bellingham Commissioners for Districts 4 &
5 have been chosen, with Chris Elder, and Tor Benson being elected to serve on the newly expanded Commission.
As well, current Commissioner Michael Shephard has won his race for the State Senate, and the Port Commission will be appointing someone to fill his role for the remainder of his term.
The Working Waterfront Coalition extends our warm welcome to the new commissioners, and a sincere thank you to all who ran for the seats. The interest in our waterfronts and economic development is something we'll continue to engage with, and we look forward to working with all the new Commissioners in the coming year.
Community Boating Center hosts waterfront training
Join the Community Boating Center, NW Straits, and Surfrider Foundation for an upcoming at event at the CBC campus at 555 Harris Avenue, in Fairhaven, on Wednesday, November 18th.
The Blue Water Task Force from Surfrider will be sharing how to collect and test water samples for harmful bacteria, interpret the results, and share the findings. No experience is necessary.
You can register at the link below:
Check out the Working Waterfront Foundation Blog for workforce development news and updates!
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:
Nov 3 - Board of Commissioners Open Public Meeting
Nov 17 - Board of Commissioners Open Public Meeting
Past Meeting Information
YouTube Link:
Oct. 6th, 2026 Board of Commissioner's Open Public Meeting
October 20 - Board of Commissioner's Open Public Meeting
Recent Minutes Posted:
Oct 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:
December 5th-6th, Bellingham Cruise & Ferry Terminal
The Holiday Port Festival is a free, family-friendly event held the first weekend of December at the
Bellingham Cruise Terminal. The 2026 Holiday Port Festival will be Saturday, December 5th and Sunday, December 6th.
This signature Port event features live performances, a Gingerbread House competition, visits and photos with Santa Claus, and much more!
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
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