Maine fishermen banking on $1M renovations at Portland Fish Exchange to give boost to industry

Fishermen in Maine are hoping a million-dollar investment in the Portland Fish Exchange can give a boost to one of the nerve centers of the state's fishing industry.

The improvements to the building are starting with its roof, which is about 25 years old. The money is part of a $100 million state bond approved by voters last year. Portland Fish Exchange General Manager Bert Jongerden says the 28-year-old exchange is critical to the state's groundfish industry because it is Maine's only live seafood auction.

Jongerden says the improvement work will help extend the building's life another 20 years. This first round of work on the facility began in early October and Jongerden says it will likely be finished this month. More work is expected next winter and spring.