Oregon ocean cluster news june 2026
Latest news from the Oregon Ocean Cluster
Congress works to provide greater opportunities for seafood producers
Big news for American seafood: Federal legislation being considered in Congress is expected to open doors of opportunity for the United States seafood industry, making it more competitive on the national and international stages.
As part of the Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2026, Congress is establishing a first-of-its-kind USDA Office of Seafood, finally giving commercial fishers and processors access to the same loans, grants, and credit programs as land-based farmers. Alongside this, the Buy American Seafood Act will require federal agencies to source seafood domestically for school lunches and federal nutrition programs.
Our coastal leaders are supportive of these moves for their potential to slash carbon emissions from foreign imports, boost public health with fresh, local proteins, and sustainably fuel local economies that have been flooded by overseas products for years.
An Update on Oregon’s 100% Fish Initiative
Earlier this summer, we shared the exciting news about the Oregon delegation that traveled to Iceland’s Innovation Week to study their world-leading 100% Fish utilization model.
The delegation was led by Oregon State University (OSU), and brought together 18 coastal leaders, scientists, and industry pioneers to Reykjavik for a mission centered on a single, transformative idea: 100% Fish.
On June 2, 2026, the group reconvened for a debrief meeting to synthesize their insights and construct a practical roadmap for Oregon's "blue economy."
One big takeaway was clear: while Iceland’s highly centralized, corporate industry structure differs from our distributed coastline, Oregon possesses an incredible, unique advantage in rich species diversity and day-boat freshness. To ensure long-term resiliency and equity, a successful model would be built from the ground up as a distributed network, intentionally centering independent owner-operators alongside major processors to turn raw waste streams into high-value bioproducts.
Moving forward, OSU, the Oregon Ocean Cluster, and our network of partners are transitioning from inspiration to concrete execution.
Market your business on the Oregon Coast Seafood Trail
Local seafood retailers: Apply to be featured on the Oregon Coast Seafood Trail!
This free marketing opportunity is designed to elevate the businesses who are sourcing and serving local catch. Hosted on the Oregon Coast Visitors Association website, the program helps consumers identify restaurants, food trucks, and seafood markets that demonstrate a strong commitment to local sourcing.To be eligible, participating businesses must serve a menu (or market offerings) where Oregon-landed seafood represents a majority of their offerings.
If your business applies these practices, fill out the form below to get started.
Save the Date: Oregon Coast Economic Summit
October 28-29, 2026
The Oregon Coast Economic Summit – organized by the Coastal Caucus – is one of the premier economic summits in the state of Oregon organized by elected officials. It is a respectful, bi-partisan, space for policymakers, lawmakers and agency directors and managers to come together and talk about the future.
The summit kicks off with the Taste of the Oregon Coast Event. Don't miss this opportunity to network with a wonderful backdrop fresh local seafood, drinks and snacks.
Registration details coming soon!
Explore Oregon’s Commercial Fisheries with Sea Grant
Join Oregon Sea Grant experts on a guided walk along commercial docks in your local port this summer!
During the tour, attendees will learn where to find local, in-season seafood, how it’s caught, and how to buy it directly from coastal ports. Discover what makes Oregon seafood sustainable, explore commercial fishing vessels and gear, and get a glimpse into the state’s vibrant fishing industry!
Shop at the Dock in Newport: No registration required! These tours are offered on a first-come, first-served basis.
Discover Oregon Seafood: Sign up in advance for our Discover Oregon Seafood tours. Registration is required.
All tours are free and open to the public. View the 2026 tour schedule for Shop at the Dock and Discover Oregon Seafood below!
Winter Waters Summer Events
Save the date for Winter Waters' TUNA-TASTIC summertime events!
Alba-Alba: La Gran Tasting
Saturday, August 1, 2026, 5-8pm - Mac Market, McMinnville
Alba-Alba: La Gran Tasting brings together 14 Albariño producers from Oregon, Washington, California, Spain, Portugal, and Japan for an afternoon of wine, seafood, and coastal culture.
Winter Waters Presents: A Tuna-Tastic Field Trip
Sunday, August 2, 2026, 12-4pm - Newport, Oregon
Continue the Alba Alba experience on Sunday with a small-group field trip to Newport, Oregon, led by Rachelle Hacmac of Winter Waters and representatives from the Oregon Albacore Commission. Limited to just 15 participants, this immersive day offers a behind-the-scenes look at Oregon's working waterfront and Albacore fishery.
Regional Solutions Survey
Regional Solutions is a uniquely Oregon approach to community and economic development that brings together the public, private and civic sectors to advance projects, solve problems, seize opportunities, and respond to emerging local needs. Every two years, Regional Solutions conducts a survey to assess their performance and give an opportunity to highlight issues and opportunities that the team should consider as they work to advance community and economic development priorities and move projects forward.
The survey will be open through July 3rd. Please take a few minutes to share your perspective!
Local Ocean Welcomes Chef Jacob Harth
This year, Local Ocean Seafoods is celebrating 20 years on the Newport Bayfront. In that time, they have established a legacy as leaders in transparency, integrity, and sustainability in the local seafood economy.
Building on this legacy, Local Ocean is excited to share that Chef Jacob Harth has officially joined them as Chef in Residence. Former chef and owner of Erizo in Portland and a 2019 Eater Young Gun, Jacob has built his career around Oregon caught seafood and close relationships with the people who harvest it.
During his residency in Newport, Jacob will help lead the next chapter of Local Ocean's culinary journey, expanding the variety of Oregon seafood and coastal dishes featured on their menu.
Jacob’s residency also comes as he prepares for the future opening of his upcoming project, Bayocean Oyster House, creating an exciting opportunity for collaboration, creativity, and shared storytelling around Oregon seafood.
News from the North Coast Food Web
Big news for the North Coast: the North Coast Food Web and Food Roots (Tillamook) have merged!
By combining resources, both organizations will continue to build upon a local food system rooted right here in the north coast community.
At the same time, NCFW is launching a major new initiative called Neighbor’s Garden. This project is all about deepening fresh food access for the North Coast community. NCFW is also stepping up as the regional hub to accept Medicaid from eligible individuals as payment for locally grown and produced food, ensuring these state healthcare dollars stay in our community.
What this means for farm and/or food businesses:
Sell your excess produce.
Work towards a model that informs your crop planning to meet demand.
Help address any barriers to scaling your operations.
NCFW is looking for three types of partners:
You have surplus right now and want to sell it.
You want to expand your yield next year and want us to help you plan the rows.
You want to keep your production exactly where it is, but you’d like a more stable outlet for what you’re already growing.
To get started, contact Lindsay at Lindsay@northcoastfoodweb.org.
Opportunities
Grants, jobs, commercial spaces, volunteer opportunities & more
Available: OSU Seafood Lab joins the Kitchen Network
OSU Seafood Lab has joined North Coast Food Web’s Kitchen Network, a growing list of commercial kitchens that are available to rent for reasonable rates. Spaces in the OSU Seafood Lab will be available to rent starting at $10/hour. Contact Alex at alex.gerber@oregonstate.edu for more information.
Hiring: Strategic Communications Lead at Oregon Sea Grant
Oregon Sea Grant seeks a Strategic Communications Lead to enhance and support programs for internal and external audiences. This role will be responsible for planning, implementing, and evaluating communications, blending strategic leadership with hands-on content development to effectively achieve our program goals. This position oversees and directly contributes to the creation, writing, editing, and production of engaging content across our print and digital platforms, working collaboratively with leadership and other program staff. Apply here by July 13.
International Blue Economy News
Global updates on blue technology accelerators, marine inventions, grant funding, and breakthrough research.
News [Curated by Seaking Blue]
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations has published their report on the State of World Fisheries and Aquaculture 2026.
Positioning ocean innovation as a defining driver of the next phase of the blue economy, this Economist Impact article argues that advances across marine energy, climate resilience, ocean data systems, and sustainable infrastructure are converging to transform how societies use and manage ocean resources, while also highlighting the governance and investment challenges that will shape whether these technologies scale responsibly.
A TIME Magazine feature on the evolving “value of the oceans” argues that marine ecosystems are becoming central to global economic and climate strategies, as governments and investors increasingly recognize the ocean’s role in carbon storage, food systems, and energy transition, while also warning that this rising valuation is colliding with accelerating ecological degradation and governance gaps.
Opportunities
UC San Diego’s StartBlue Accelerator has opened applications for their immersive fall program.
Canada’s first blue economy accelerator Blue Action Canada has opened applications for their 2026 cohort.
Fair Carbon has launched a Blue Carbon Academy that aims to help with the fine-tuning of the design of a Blue Carbon project.
Join the Blue Growth Community to get access to opportunities, expertise, and connections as an innovator.
