Working waterfronts contribute to local economies and enrich Washington’s cultural and social heritage. Rapid population growth combined with regional economic trends have put pressure on many traditional maritime sectors, creating conflict with waterfront development for other purposes. More maritime workers, including commercial fishermen, retire than enter the industry, in a nationwide challenge known as the “graying of the fleet.”
WSG works with stakeholders in Washington and across the nation along with other Sea Grant programs to promote the best uses of working waterfronts. WSG also actively supports efforts to strengthen maritime workforce capacity in the state, working collaboratively with a coalition of public and private maritime education and training providers and industry representatives. WSG staff sit on the National Working Waterfront Network (NWWN) Executive Committee and helped to plan the 2025 NWWM conference. WSG is also a member of the Network. We work with the Whatcom Working Waterfront Foundation and other community-based maritime efforts to develop and maintain a Washington network.