Waterfront Wednesday September 2, 2026
Waterfront Wednesday News
September 2, 2026
Commissioner Candidates prep for Candidate Forum
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 on October 7th, 6:00pm, 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 give a public tour of the Westman Marine Clean Up site and Blaine's working waterfront on Sept. 29th.
Blue Drinks Q3 - Blaine
What's the future of the Blaine waterfront? Come join us for a tour with the Port of Bellingham, and then drinks and food at Drayton Harbor Oyster Company! We'll walk the industrial wharf and clean up site, and head over to Drayton Harbor Oyster company to connect, learn, and share about the status of Blaine's maritime trades, the future plans for a shipyard and fuel dock, and all things Whatcom waterfront.
Sept 29th: Tour starts in front of the Blaine Harbormaster Office at 5 p.m. and we hope to be back over to Drayton Harbor Oyster around 6 p.m.
Bellingham SeaFeast
celebrates
10-year anniversary feast
Seafeast's 10th Anniversary is coming up on Sept. 26 and 27! This annual 'feast' is a thanksgiving for our waterfront, celebrating our local and regional seafood, our maritime heritage and culture, and our diverse community. Join us on Sept. 26 and 27, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., celebrate the waterfront, and feast on the bounty our seafood providers bring home each year!
This year's festival features an all-ages beer garden, art, music, an oyster-shucking contest, commercial fishermen and their boats, and of course, locally and regionally sourced seafood, masterfully prepared by venues from all around Whatcom County.
Don't miss this community- and seafood-centric event!
Want to be a savvy SeaFeast sailor? Sail on the WTA Line 47 and avoid the hassle of Squalicum parking! (Link to Line 47 route times from wta website)
Join us for Bellingham SeaFeast's 10th Anniversary and help us make it special! Photo: Bellingham SeaFeast
Need affordable benefits? Now with free lunch!
The Working Waterfront Coalition is inviting all of our marine trades employers in the region to a
free Lunch & Learn with our partners from DiMartino & Associates
at our Working Waterfront Offices on Sept. 22nd.
Join us from
12 to 1 p.m. as we share the affordable benefits options available to Coalition members through the Working Waterfront Health Trust, a pooled-insurance plan available state-wide through Premera, built specifically for marine trades businesses.
Registration is free and required, and space is limited, so register today for a free catered lunch, and learn about the benefits packages tailored for your business.
Third Annual Fish Tales & Ales returns for Bellingham SeaFeast
Our third annual "Fish Tales & Ales" is happening on Sept. 26th at 6 p.m.
at Beach Cat Brewing: South Paw. The event provides 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 seafood on your dinner plate. We hope that you'll join us.
Fish Tales & ALes
September 26th, 6 p.m.
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!
Marine Trades Fair coming to Fisherman's Pavilion
Following on the successful trades fair in May, the Working Waterfront Coalition and Foundation are partnering again with Worksource WA to host the Fall Marine Trades Job Fair at the Fisherman's Pavilion in Squalicum Harbor.
Plan to attend on Sept. 17th, from 3:30 p.m - 6 p.m. and learn about the marine trades job opportunities available in Whatcom and Skagit Counties.
Armed Forces Veterans get priority entrance from 3 to 3:30 p.m.
Find out more information via the link below:
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:
Sept. 15 - Board of Commissioners Open Public Meeting
Oct. 6 - Board of Commissioners Open Public Meeting
Past Meeting Information
YouTube Link:
Recent Minutes Posted:
July 14 - 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:
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. 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.
Sept. 26/27, Squalicum Harbor
Bellingham SeaFeast is happening September 26 & 27 at Squalicum Harbor, and the 10th Anniversary of the festival will host an oyster-shucking contest, commercial fishermen, vendors, dockside market sellers, all-ages beer garden and much, much more!
Take the WTA Line 47 and avoid the parking hassle - and help us celebrate 10 years of 'Feast'!
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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Drop us a line and tell us about it.
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