Economic Profile of Cap Sante Marina’s T-Dock

Home > News  > Economic Profile of Cap Sante Marina’s T-Dock

September 6, 2022 | News

PRESS RELEASE

September 6, 2022

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:
Dan Worra, Executive Director
Dan.Worra@portofanacortes.com
360-299-1812 (direct)

Port of Anacortes’ T Dock facilitates $14 million in annual economic activity for Anacortes

ANACORTES, WA – A new study conducted by McKinley Research Group, LLC for the Port of Anacortes shows that the Port’s T Dock, a low-cost and publicly accessible dock located in Cap Sante Marina, facilitates $14 million in commercial activity each year. This includes $10 million in commercial fishing revenue and $4 million in commercial maritime revenue.

The study, conducted in summer 2022, measured commercial activity associated with T Dock. Information sources included the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, and interviews with commercial and Tribal fisheries and other maritime business users. Key study findings include:

  • The average annual value of all T Dock seafood landings is $10 million.
  • The average annual volume of seafood landings at T Dock is more than 2 million pounds.
  • More than 30 Anacortes-based employees work for commercial maritime T Dock users.
  • Six Puget Sound-area Tribes utilize T Dock to launch and unload their vessels and sell seafood.
  • More than 80% of all Anacortes seafood landings are attributable to T Dock.
  • A wide variety of seafood is landed at T Dock, including Dungeness crab, several species of shrimp, sea urchins, sea cucumbers, salmon, halibut, rockfish, and geoduck clams.

“T Dock is the only facility of its kind on Fidalgo Island,” said Port Executive Director Dan Worra. “It supports a significant volume of commerce and a variety of uses for businesses and employers in our community. This study helps confirm the value of T Dock and reaffirms how important it is that the Port continues to achieve its mission of supporting the economic health of our community through Anacortes’ working waterfront.”

Read the full study here. The study was presented to and discussed by the Port Commission at its Sept. 1 regular meeting. Watch McKinley Research Group present study findings and hear the Commission’s discussion here.

About T Dock

The Port owns and operates T Dock, which was built in 1977. A recent engineering study showed that, despite consistent maintenance, the heavily used dock is nearing the end of its useful life. At 45 years old, it can now only support one-third of its original load capacity.

In March 2022 the Port Commission approved the replacement of T Dock. The new proposed dock will be 14,250 square feet – more than twice the square footage of the current dock – and cost approximately $7.3 million dollars. The Port is working on designing and permitting the new dock. Construction is expected to begin within two years.

##

The Port of Anacortes was formed in 1926 to promote economic development for Anacortes and the surrounding area. The Port district is led by a board of five elected commissioners: Bonnie Bowers, Jon Petrich, Kathy Pittis, Jon Ronngren, and Joe Verdoes. Public meetings are held the first and third Thursdays of the month at 6 p.m. in the Commission Meeting Room of the Port Transit Shed, 100 Commercial Avenue, Anacortes, WA. For more information, visit www.portofanacortes.com