Waterfront Wednesday October 7, 2026
Waterfront Wednesday News
October 7, 2026
Candidate Forum Today
The primary in Whatcom has been certified, and the candidates headed to the general ballot in November for the Port of Bellingham Commission are: District 4: Paul Burrill and Tor Benson: District 5: Shawn Ensley and Chris Elder
Hear from the candidates directly on their visions and ideas: We'll be hosting a Public Candidate Forum today, October 7th, 6 p.m. (doors open 5:30 p.m.), at the Squalicum Boathouse in Zuanich Point Park, 2600 N. Harbor Loop Drive in Bellingham.
We also recently caught up with each candidate post-primary to hear about what they've learned so far in their campaigning. Check out the video to hear what they had to say.
Registration is requested for the Candidate Forum, please follow the link below to let us know you'll be there:
The Port of Bellingham will host an open house on October 29. Seen here are the Port offices (bottom left) and Squalicum Harbor. Photo: Steve Hardin
Port of Bellingham
to host Open House
BELLINGHAM, WA - The Port of Bellingham invites the community to “Charting the Course”, an Open House on Thursday, October 29, 4 to 6 p.m. at the Squalicum Boathouse (2600 N Harbor Loop Dr, Bellingham, 98225).
Drop in and chat with Port staff about what's next for the waterfront, airport, harbors, events, and community programs. Visitors can explore information stations at their own pace. Port staff and project leaders will be available to answer questions and gather community feedback.
“The Port belongs to everyone in Whatcom County, and this is a chance to walk through the past, present, and future with staff and Port Commissioners,” said Port Executive Director Tiffany DeSimone. “We invite the community to bring their questions, ideas, and input – we want to hear all of it.”
The event is free and open to the public. Refreshments are provided, and attendees may pick up a passport at the door. Those who get their passport stamped at all booths and stations will receive a rubber Disco Duck, while supplies last.
WA Seafood Industry Group
Fall Hybrid Meeting
A Washington Seafood Industry Group - Fall hybrid meeting will be held on Monday, October 26, 2026 from 10 a.m. - 12 p.m at the Natural Resources Building in Olympia and over Zoom.
The Washington Seafood Industry Group is co-led by Washington Sea Grant, Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, and Eat Local First. The theme of the Fall meeting is Seafood Marketing and Promotion Programs. At our Spring meeting in April, we heard broad interest in creating a seafood marketing advisory body for Washington State. Therefore, we will present work done to date on this topic including a summary of case studies outlining how seafood marketing and promotion programs across the country are structured (e.g., Alaska Seafood Marketing Institute, Oregon Seafood Commodity Commissions, Massachusetts Seafood Marketing Program, Fresh From Florida, and many more) with the goal of prioritizing the most appropriate model for Washington. Annotated slides from the April meeting are available for your reference.
This meeting is open to anyone in the Washington Seafood Industry including but not limited to harvesters, processors, cold chain businesses, industry associations, resource agencies, food systems professionals, port staff, seafood consumers and anyone interested in participating.
In-person meeting information:
Natural Resources Building
Room 172
1111 Washington St SE, Olympia, WA 98504
Virtual meeting information:
Zoom link:
https://washington.zoom.us/j/98773132198
Call in: (253) 215-8782
Meeting ID: 987 7313 2198
The WA Seafood Industry Group will host a hybrid meeting this month. Seen here are commercial fishing vessels in Squalicum Harbor. Photo: Dan Tucker
Whatcom Waterway. Photo: Port of Bellingham
Future Tides talks
Bellingham Waterfront
A recent article by Miles Remmel in Future Tides highlighted the ongoing growth and evolution of the Bellingham Waterfront. The article touched on a lot of the developments currently happening, as well as some of the history, and future visions, for various components of it.
You may check out the full article via the link below, and thank you to Miles Remmel and Cara Kuhlman of Future Tides for producing and sharing this article with us:
Cleanup brings new life
to Whatcom Waterfront
The Whatcom waterfront clean-ups rely upon Model Toxins Control Act funding, and help provide for some of the $300 million in clean up projects that Whatcom County has on the docket.
The Dept. of Ecology recently shared insight into these clean-ups and their impacts in an article, and it is a must-read for anyone wanting to know how these clean-ups are funded and implemented, and what it means for our waterfronts.
Read the full article below:
The GP Paper Mill, circa 2003. Model Toxins Control Act (MTCA) funds help clean up contamination left by legacy industry. Photo: WA Dept. of Ecology
Drayton Harbor Oyster Company fires up the grill to feed the fun at OysterFest. Photo: Dan Tucker
Blaine by the Sea hosts annual
Blaine OysterFest
Shuck Yeah! It’s Back! Get ready to slurp, savor, and celebrate by the sea!
Don’t miss the food, fun, and festivities by the sea on October 10, 2026 in Downtown Blaine!
Get ready to experience the ultimate family-friendly celebration at the 5th Annual Blaine OysterFest 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 by the Sea.
Enjoy an all-ages beer garden with chilled beer, wine and ciders. And come hungry! The OysterFest menu is packed with a lot of yummy surprises including the delicious deep-cupped Drayton Harbor Oyster’s grilled with toppings of Savory, Sweet-N-Smoky, Bacon Blu and of course the Chef’s Surprise!
Schedule of Events:
- 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.: Live Music from Hot Damn Scandal
- 1 – 2 p.m.: Contests – Dog/Owner Lookalike Contest, Oyster Shucking Contest, Corn Shucking Contest
- 2 – 3 p.m.: Live Music from Step Stool (formerly Negitive Sense)
- 3 – 4 p.m.: Contests – Seagull Calling Contests, Pie Eating Contest (Youth category for under 12 years old, Adult category for 12 and up)
- 4 p.m. into the evening: Live Music from JP Falcon Band in the H Street Plaza
Drayton Harbor Oyster Company along with many local vendors provides a family-friendly dive into seaside Oyster Fun. Also, your Working Waterfront Coalition will have a booth at the event - stop by and say hello!
Blaine issues call
for M/V Plover ideas
The City of Blaine issued a Request for Proposal (RFP) for the M/V Plover this week, inviting organizations or individuals interested in helping to continue the vessel's seasonal operations, as well as those interested to utilize the boat for educational purposes, to submit their ideas. The stated goal is to identify a non-profit organization capable of preserving the boat and operating it as part of the Blaine community.
For more information see the RFP via the link below:
The M/V Plover, docked in Blaine. Photo: Port of Bellingham
On the Waterfront edition out
Check out our latest edition of
On the Waterfront, our tri-yearly print newsletter. This edition features our friends at HoldFast Marine, a highlight of our Diesel Emissions Reduction Act program with the Port of Bellingham from one of the fishermen who received the grant, a fisheries update, QuietSound information and more!
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:
Oct. 6 - Board of Commissioners Open Public Meeting
Oct. 20 - Board of Commissioners Open Public Meeting
Past Meeting Information
YouTube Link:
August 18 - Board of Commissioner's Open Public Meeting
September 1 - Board of Commissioner's Open Public Meeting
Recent Minutes Posted:
Sept 1 - 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:
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.
October 10, 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Shuck Yeah! It’s Back! Get ready to slurp, savor, and celebrate by the sea! Don’t miss the food, fun, and festivities by the sea on October 10, 2026 in downtown Blaine!
Get ready to experience the ultimate family-friendly celebration at the 5th Annual Blaine OysterFest 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 by the Sea.
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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