Fish Tales & Ales draws crowd

The 2nd Annual Fish Tales & Ales event, with commercial fishermen who share their stories, songs, and poetry about their lives at sea, drew a crowd at local brewery Beach Cat Brewing, this past weekend for Bellingham SeaFeast's after-hours events.

The Cascadia Daily News featured the event in an article Sunday. You may read it at the link below.

If you missed Fish Tales & Ales this year, the event will be happening annually on SeaFeast Saturday, and next year, the date will be Sept. 26th, at Beach Cat Brewing. We hope to see you there for these impactful, special, and sometimes fun and witty performances by your local and regional fishermen and women.

Bellingham SeaFeast logs

9th year a success

This weekend, crowds flocked to the waterfront for the annual festival of fish, friends, and fun. The two-day event featured seafood, music, art, and more with over 180 vendors and crowds in the thousands.

Look for Bellingham SeaFeast's return in 2026, Sept. 26 & 27, and mark your calendars!

The Coalition and Foundation hosted a booth with two pre-apprentices who graduated the Foundation's Buoyant Beginnings summer program. 
Photo: Dan Tucker

Film Festival Features local marine business

Dragonfly Kayak Tours is excited to announce the upcoming 2025 Paddling Film Festival, a celebration of paddling sports from around the world, brought to the heart of our local community. This event will take place on October 12 at the Lincoln Theatre in Mount Vernon, Washington. The festival is more than just an evening of inspiring films—it’s the launchpad for a broader fundraiser supporting youth outdoor education and empowerment.

Proceeds from the event will benefit Happy Orcas Adventure Camp, a summer day camp for children ages 6–11, based out of Larrabee State Park. The camp focuses on connecting kids with the natural beauty of the Salish Sea through hands-on activities such as snorkeling, tide pooling, hiking, shoreline-finds art projects, beach cleanups, and—of course—kayaking. The program fosters environmental stewardship, creativity, confidence, and a love for the outdoors.

They are currently seeking sponsors to help them reach their fundraising goal of $5,000, which will go directly toward providing scholarships for families in need. Any funds raised beyond that will support their Community Outreach Fund, helping them expand access to outdoor programs for underserved youth in the local region.

Three sponsor levels are available starting at $100, and include promotion on event materials, social media shoutouts, and recognition during the film screening. Higher-tier sponsors will receive featured placement and additional community engagement opportunities.

For information contact Tori Ayres, DragonFly kayaks: 360-453-7036

https://www.dragonflykayaktours.com/

Consumer Seafood Website Launches

The West Coast of North America is one of the most productive ocean areas in the world. It supports a vast array of sea life and thus a great variety of seafood. Explore this website to learn about the most commonly available seafood harvested along the West Coast, from California through Oregon and Washington.

They also have information about local delicacies that might be harder to find. Join them to learn where to find it, how to cook it, how it is caught and farmed, and who brings it from salty waters to the dock.

WA Fisherman's Convention

coming December 4-8

Westport — The first-ever Washington Fishermen’s Convention is coming to Westport this winter, aimed at unifying and celebrating the state’s diverse fishing industry while bringing new and prospective fishermen into the fold. The Convention will take place December 4-8, 2025. Current and aspiring fishermen can register on the Washington Sea Grant event page.

Hosted by Washington Sea Grant with funding from the Young Fishermen’s Development Act, and planned by an advisory committee of commercial fishermen, the Washington Fishermen’s Convention will bring together experienced commercial fishermen, those new to the industry, and those hoping to enter it, with something to offer everyone in the community. Fishermen can participate in whichever way makes sense for them, with up to five days of learning and networking opportunities available as well as a two-day conference and individually priced training sessions. Commercial fishermen receive a discounted price on trainings, and scholarships and industry-funded conference tickets for new fishermen are available. 

“Our hope is that the Washington Fishermen’s Convention will bring together our diverse fishing sectors, different generations of fishermen, and those with decades of experience along with new fishermen for a few days of workforce development and social connection,” says Bridget Trosin, Washington Sea Grant fisheries and boating team lead. “Our commercial fishermen are an important part of Washington’s maritime culture, and we need more of them.”

Read more via the press release and info page below:

Participants at the Drill Instructor & Fishermen First Aid and Safety Training will practice life-saving skills.

Past Meeting Information

YouTube Link:
Sept 23rd- Board of Commissioner's Open Public Meeting

Recent Minutes Posted:
Sept 9th - Board of Commissioner's Minutes

Waterfront Events:

Blaine Seaside Bash & Oysterfest

Oct. 11th, Blaine, WA

Don’t miss the food, fun, and festivities by the sea on October 11th in downtown Blaine! Get ready to experience the ultimate family-friendly celebration at the OysterFest & Seaside Bash in Blaine--by-the-Sea. This vibrant event welcomes guests from both sides of the border for a weekend packed with laughter, community, connection, and seaside fun.

One-Ocean Week

Oct 20-26 - Seattle

One Ocean Week Seattle is a region-wide, international gathering of ocean leaders, innovators, researchers, startups, policymakers, artists, educators, and communities to accelerate solutions for a sustainable, inclusive maritime future.

WA Fisherman's Convention

Dec. 4-8, Westport, WA

The Washington Fishermen’s Convention aims to unify and celebrate our state’s fishing industry, with something to offer everyone in the community. The Convention will be an up-to five-day learning and networking opportunity for both new and experienced fishermen.

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.