Celebrating Washington’s maritime legacy at Port of Seattle’s Fishermen’s Terminal
It was no surprise to us that when it came time to introduce Seattle’s first professional hockey team in many years, the franchise would harness the power of Seattle’s deepest roots — those of the our commercial fishing industry.
For 25 years, Fishermen’s Fall Festival has celebrated those roots and the return of Seattle’s fishing fleet back to Fishermen’s Terminal, located fittingly in Salmon Bay on the south side of Ballard Bridge.
Many people don’t realize that, even with the development of high-rise tech industry and residential towers, the commercial fishing industry still plays a significant role in the regional economy and ability to deliver seafood to the tables of residents across the state. Statewide, the Pacific Northwest’s commercial seafood industry puts 102, 476 to work in living-wage jobs and provides a $11.2 million boost in sales to the economy.
While the festival was cancelled for a second year due to the pandemic, Seattleites can still follow a walking tour and further their knowledge of Washington seafood with the help of festival organizers.
On a self-led walking tour of important terminal sites you’ll catch a unique glimpse into the terminal’s maritime history, which dates back to 1912 when the Puget Sound Purse Seine Fishermen’s Association approached the Port of Seattle asking for a homeport for the local fishing fleet. The Terminal, dedicated in 1914, came to be the Port of Seattle’s first operational facility. Today, the port hosts 400 commercial fishing vessels and work boats, seafood restaurants, and a tavern, mailing center, barber shop, and mini mart. It’s also the site of the Seattle Fishermen’s Memorial, where 675 names are engraved, honoring commercial fishers who have lost their life out at sea.
“Seattleites are rightly proud of our seafood,” said State Representative Joe Fitzgibbon. “That comes right back to working waterfronts just like this one. This Seafood Month, Seattleites should take pride in this local cornerstone of Washington’s commercial fishing heritage and the role that Fishermen’s Terminal has in sustaining our regional economy and well-being.”
“Commercial fishing is a major contributor to our state’s economy, providing multi-millions of dollars every year and sustaining entire communities,” said Washington Sea Grant Director W Russell Callender. “Fishermen’s Terminal is critical to that fishing economy and it is just as important today to celebrate those contributions as it has been in year’s past. Taking a walking tour or visiting the docks raises the awareness of the Terminal’s critical role in maintaining this thriving industry in our state.”
The Port of Seattle and partners are also still helping consumers to celebrate local Washington seafood this Seafood Month with the promotion of Seafood 101. The effort celebrates families cooking, eating, and learning about Pacific Northwest seafood. More information about Seafood 101 is available at pacificnorthwestseafood101.com/.
“As someone born and raised here with a brother and son involved in decades of commercial fishing, it is imperative that we remember those taking the risks to provide the catch the rest of us rely on to eat,” said Port of Seattle Commission President Peter Steinbrueck. “This industry — the world’s biggest sustainable catch — provides billions in economic impact, employing thousands with family-wage jobs across the region.”
Want to hear more stories of Fishermen’s Terminal? Visit this Washington Sea Grant blog post to meet Pete Knutson, a commercial fisher whose home port is in Seattle.
WDFW uses stringent science-based monitoring and oversight to keep local Washington seafood on the menu — and pn your table. Whether alongside commercial fishers on board or at the dock, WDFW fishery samplers record catch and biological data, which helps to inform the health of the fishery and ensures we’re meeting conservation goals. When seafood heads to the market, WDFW Enforcement officers help to confirm proper labeling in store to give consumers an idea of where the seafood came from and how it was sold.
According to the Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations’ The State of World Fisheries and Aquaculture 2020 report, there is growing evidence that when fisheries are properly managed, stocks are consistently above target levels or rebuilding. Biologically sustainable stocks account for 78.7 percent of all landings of marine fisheries — an increase since 1989 due in part to improved implementation of management measures, just like the ones we have here in Washington State.
Celebrate #LifeOutdoorsWA this Seafood Month!
Whether you like to fish yourself, or just enjoy eating local Washington seafood, consider a visit to the places rich with the state’s maritime history this Seafood Month. You can also find Washington seafood at local markets, or with the help of Local Catch, a network of supported fisheries and small-scale harvesters.
Wondering how to prepare your bounty? Enjoy Life Outdoors this Seafood Month by firing up the grill and cooking your seafood over the grates!
Share your photos
If you send us your best photos grilling up seafood this month, you can be entered for a chance to win outdoor gear! Your photos may be featured on WDFW’s Facebook and Instagram to celebrate the variety of ways people enjoy outdoor lifestyles and to inspire others to spend time in nature.
Enter our monthly photo contest August-December 2021 for a chance to win a Cabela’s gift card! Each month has a new theme and a new winner.
Participating is simple
- Visit WDFW’s Life Outdoors webpage from now through December 2021 to find out the outdoor recreation theme for the current month.
- Submit pictures of you, your friends, or family participating in the month’s featured outdoor recreation theme on WDFW’s website.
- When submitting your photo, select #LifeOutdoorsWA in the category section. In the description area, tell us a little about your experience!
On the last Friday of the month, a winner will be selected and featured on WDFW’s Facebook and Instagram. Winners will also be contacted via email to receive their prize.
Visit wdfw.wa.gov/LocalWASeafood to learn more about in-season sustainable seafood and how the state and its partners are working to keep it on families’ tables, in the market, and on the menu.
