National Working Waterfront Network Archives

Keep the work in working waterfronts

February 27, 2025 — Workforce development was a central theme at one of the National Working Waterfront Network (NWWN) conference sessions this year in San Diego.

Industry leaders, community advocates, and fishermen gathered to discuss strategies for sustaining the next generation of commercial fishermen and maritime workers. Panelists discussed recruiting and retaining new entrants, providing proper training, and ensuring career resiliency in an ever-changing industry.

Jessica Hathaway, former editor of National Fisherman and now a public affairs consultant, moderated the discussion and opened with a pointed question: How do we attract people into the industry and take care of them once they’re in? Hathaway brought together Monique Coombs of the Maine Coast Fishermen’s Association(MCFA), Kim Selkoe of the Commercial Fishermen of Santa Barbara, Imani Black of Minorities in Aquaculture, and Doreen Legget of the Cape Cod Commercial Fishermen’s Alliance(CCCFA).

Read the full article at the National Fisherman

The fight to preserve America’s working waterfronts

February 26, 2025 — The National Working Waterfront Network (NWWN) Conference brought together policymakers, industry leaders, and community advocates to tackle the challenges facing working waterfronts across the country.

Through many panel discussions, attendees explored the pressures of development, workforce retention, climate adaptation, and policy roadblocks threatening the waterfront’s future.

While each waterfront is unique, the speakers agreed that these spaces share common challenges, including regulatory hurdles, rising property values, and conflicts between economic development and cultural preservation. The panelists included Janelle Kellman, former mayor of Sausalito, California- who is running for lieutenant governor and Maine House of Representative; Morgan Rielly; and Imani Black, founding and CEO of Minorities in Aquaculture.

Kellman highlights her city’s maritime history and difficulties maintaining its working waterfront. “We have a real problem regarding what the market will allow. Inventors or fabricators cannot afford to start when hedge fund managers and landscape architects see the value in our maritime infrastructure. They want to repurpose it for high-end development.”

Rielly pointed to the diversity of working waterfronts in Maine, ranging from small-scale fishing docks to large industrial harbors. “There’s no one bill that will be able to solve all different issues, and there will be no one budget that will be able to solve those issues.” He went on to emphasize the need for tailored solutions for each individual region.

Read the full article at the National Fisherman

National Working Waterfront Network, Urban Harbors Institute set to Host 2022 Conference in Boston

January 31, 2022 — The following was released by the National Working Waterfront Network:

The National Working Waterfront Network (NWWN), a nationwide network of organizations committed to preserving and enhancing waterfronts and waterways, will be holding its 6^th national conference in Boston from July 19 to July 21, 2022. The conference will be titled Working Waterfronts: Traditions and Transitions, and will be held on UMass Boston’s oceanfront campus.

For the event, the NWWN will be partnering with the Urban Harbors Institute (UHI) at UMass Boston, a research institute focused on promoting thriving ocean and coastal communities and sustainable natural resources. Working together, their goal is to provide an opportunity for stakeholders to address the sustainability, resiliency, and future growth of working waterfront communities at the local, regional, and national levels.

“The NWWN conference is an important event that promotes information exchange among people involved in all aspects of working waterfronts, from commercial interests to waterfront research, planning, and management, to policymaking,” said Kristin Uiterwyk, Director of the Urban Harbors Institute. “We are excited to bring the conference back to New England where working waterfronts have been and continue to be so central to our culture and economy.”

Co-hosted by the Massachusetts Office of Coastal Zone Management and Maine Sea Grant, the event will include keynote speakers and a series of presentations, panel sessions, roundtable discussions, and art installations. Session themes will cover the resilience of commercial fishing communities, developing waterfront industries, the threats of climate change, workforce development pertaining to maritime activities, and the impacts of COVID-19 on working waterfronts and new innovations for recovery.

“Coastal communities face many different challenges, such as how to protect our waterfronts from increased coastal hazards and guarantee space for industrial uses, how to balance old and new uses to include aquaculture and offshore renewable energy, and how to engage more young people in commercial fishing,” said Nicole Faghin, Chair of the NWWN, “This conference will bring together people to share tools, resources and connect with others interested in creating and maintaining healthy working waterfronts.”

In addition to a speaking program and discussions, the conference will include an evening at the New England Aquarium for a welcome reception, field trips for attendees throughout the conference, highlights of other NWWN initiatives including a podcast and webinar series, the NWWN internship, and a pre-conferencetraining by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).

Those interested in registering for the event, submitting an abstract, sponsoring the conference, and/or looking for more information can visit the conference website.

About the National Working Waterfront Network

The National Working Waterfront Network (NWWN) is a nationwide network of businesses, industry associations, nonprofits, local governments and communities, state and federal agencies, universities, Sea Grant programs, and individuals dedicated to supporting, preserving, and enhancing our nation’s working waterfronts and waterways. Participation in the NWWN is open to all individuals and organizations involved in working waterfront issues at the federal, state, and local level. Our mission is to increase the capacity of coastal communities and stakeholders to make informed decisions, balance diverse uses, ensure access, and plan for the future of their working waterfronts and waterways.

About the Urban Harbors Institute at UMass Boston

Founded in 1989, the Urban Harbors Institute (UHI), an institute within the School for the Environment at the University of Massachusetts Boston, advances ocean and coastal management through collaborative research and planning at the local, regional, state, federal, and international level. Working closely with governments, marine industry representatives, non-governmental organizations, and members of the public, UHI develops solutions to issues confronting coastal communities, marine-based industries, and activities, and reduces human impacts on the environment. Additionally, UHI’s position within the University of Massachusetts Boston allows the Institute to draw from the legal, economic, policy, and scientific expertise within the University.

Hearing on America’s waterfronts held

July 26, 2019 — The Subcommittee on Science, Oceans, Fisheries, and Weather of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science & Transportation held a hearing Tuesday on America’s waterfronts.

The hearing, titled “America’s Waterfronts: Addressing Economic, Recreational, and Environmental Challenges,” focused on the current state of U.S. waterfronts, how to balance stakeholder needs, and maximize the benefits from the nation’s water and coastal resources.

“The economic and environmental well being of all our nations waterfronts benefit us all and the shared stewardship is a responsibility we should accept,” Mike J. Friis of the National Working Waterfront Network testified. “Intergovernmental (local, state, tribal and federal) collaboration and cooperation is necessary to be able to revitalize and enhance our working waterfronts and build local capacity. Coordination allows for sharing of expertise and resources to realize the most successful impact.”

Read the full story at WorkBoat