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2025 THRIVE | Blue Schools & Blue Economies

Hi neighbors,

After a record return of Chinook salmon in Whatcom Creek last month, we find ourselves reflecting on a season full of both challenge and renewal. While the federal shutdown has tested systems and stretched communities, Whatcom Creek offered a quiet triumph; the work of salmon recovery seems to be paying off.

It’s a reminder that steady effort yields real results, and that recovery — for fish, for people, for places — is always possible. We have the power to turn the tide, pardon the pun, on the gradual decline of our area’s rich maritime industry and culture. There’s exciting work afoot to do just that. Read on!

Mauri Ingram,
President & CEO

 

COMMUNITY OPPORTUNITY
Lead the state in maritime education and workforce development. 

The term “Blue Economy” was coined in 1994, referring to the development of an economic system focused on maritime business, technology, and practices that promote economic growth, ecological health, and thriving communities. A blue economy is inspired by natural systems, eschews an extraction mindset and emphasizes more sustainable practices. If that sounds remarkably like what the Lummi and Nooksack tribes have been practicing for more centuries than we can count, well, yes.

So what does it mean in 2025?

Opportunity. Organizations in Whatcom County currently employ about 6,400 people in maritime work ranging from fishing, processing, storage and transportation to boat building, maintenance, storage and repair, as well as habitat conservation and restoration, waterways clean up, recreational activities and more. But that number is down over the last several years, and to meet a future of diverse marine-related prospects, the sector needs more workers. Whatcom County, with its rich maritime culture and active community organizations, is perfectly positioned to capitalize on this opportunity.

Two initiatives are poised to advance the region’s maritime strengths. Blue Schools Whatcom, organized by Northwest Maritime, a Port Townsend–based nonprofit serving the entire Puget Sound, engages people of all ages in traditional and contemporary maritime life through hands-on learning, adventure, and discovery. The MERIS Project, a proposed Blaine-based hub for industry, community, and applied research led by the Whatcom Working Waterfront Foundation, will build on this momentum. Both initiatives expand upon the strong platform established by regional partners including the Port of Bellingham, Bellingham Technical College, Western Washington University, All American Marine, Whatcom Working Waterfront, and many others.

MERIS stands for Marine, Economy and Research Institute for Sustainability. The two projects converge around the goal of building our region’s blue economy through strategies that include K12 education and workforce development while promoting environmental stewardship and regional economic resilience.

In a year where there were more ideas than could be funded, Northwest Maritime’s 2025 request for support from WA State appropriations for the Blue Schools initiative was not funded. In the meantime, they continue to pursue additional funding and are moving forward with a scaled-back, $100K pilot in Whatcom County. Early and continued exposure to maritime career possibilities is a central part of the Blue Schools’ strategy.

Blue Schools Whatcom is also working with Meridian School District leaders on a five-year plan to incorporate Blue Schools into the Whatcom County Skills Center (a facility designed to support hands-on learning in multiple fields, including maritime as well as welding, automotive, healthcare, culinary, and more). A primary goal is to ensure access for people who would not typically be exposed to the Salish Sea or maritime industry work opportunities.

Meanwhile, the Blaine-based MERIS Project is moving through a process to build a multi-use center supporting work in all aspects of sustainable marine aquaculture and related activities. It will be a place to research, develop and test new growing systems, farmed species, farm and monitoring equipment, water quality and habitat restoration efforts, predator controls, storm water treatments, product processing and the like. Folded within this suite of projects are opportunities for workforce development, continuing education, citizen science, community engagement and tourism. The group is on track to deliver strategic and general use plans to potential investors/funders later this fall.

WHAT WE’RE DOING

• Established the Blue Schools Whatcom Fund
• Partnering with the Blue Schools coalition that includes Lummi Nation, Nooksack Tribe, Congresswoman Alicia Rule, Meridian School District, All American Marine, Snow Goose Alaska, Nooksack Salmon Enhancement Association, and others
• Attended the MERIS Project design charette

 

HOW YOU CAN HELP

• Give to the Blue Schools Whatcom Fund.
• Help the kids in your life explore maritime culture. Walk the docks in Bellingham and Blaine, visit area beaches, the touch tank, Waypoint Park, Maritime Heritage Park fish ladder, Squalicum Pier, Drayton Harbor Oyster Company, Pt. Whitehorn, Larrabee State Park, Community Boating Center…so much to choose from!
• If you have marine recreational interests, consider joining the county’s Marine Resource Committee.
• Advocate with state and federal elected officials about the importance of funding blue economy activities in Whatcom County. Northwest Maritime is building a national coalition in partnership with the state of Maine, with the long-term goal of securing federal funding for Blue Schools.
• Forward this email to a friend, or use the social links in the footer to share this information via social media!

DEEPER DIVE:

Blue Schools Initiative
BTC
Choose Whatcom – Maritime
Maritime Blue
The MERIS Project
Lummi Bay Hatchery
Nooksack Fisheries Program
Northwest Indian Fisheries Association
Whatcom County Skills Center
Whatcom Working Waterfront Foundation
2023 Study on WA State Maritime Sector

 

While originally planned for September, we emailed this THRIVE on 11/14/2025. View it  HERE>

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