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Commercial Fisheries News
Volume 35 Number 2
October 2007
Portland Fish Exchange hires new general manager
PORTLAND, ME – The Portland Fish Exchange has a new general manager.
Bert Jongerden was hired by the exchange’s board of directors in August to take on the job of managing the exchange and its seafood display auction.
“We felt Bert wasn’t an individual just looking for a paycheck, but someone who was genuinely committed to the success of the Portland Fish Exchange,” said Tom Valleau, president of the board of directors.
Jongerden replaces Hank Soule, who submitted his resignation in June after serving five years as exchange general manager.
Jongerden officially came aboard on Aug. 19. The 51-year-old was born in Holland, grew up in Portland, and earned a bachelor of science degree at the University of Southern Maine,
He brings to the job managerial, logistical, people, and buying and selling skills acquired through his employment experience with companies including Stinson Seafood, Emery-Waterhouse, Hannaford Brothers Co., and even the exchange itself from 1991 to 1996.
Tantamount to all of his skills, Jongerden possesses an obvious, deep passion for the working waterfront, the Portland Fish Exchange, the fishermen, and the city of Portland.
“My heart goes out to the fishermen,” he said during an early September interview. “They are on the frontline. Many are operating just on the edge after having to re-mortgage their homes and businesses to buy additional fishing permits to survive.”
The Portland Fish Exchange opened its doors in 1986, hosting the country’s first-ever fresh fish display auction. The milestone first auction was held on May 18 of that year, with over 35,000 pounds of fish on the auction floor.
The exchange struggled financially through some early times of working out systems and fees, hit its stride in the ’90s and into the new century, but has faltered over the past few years. Declining fish stocks, decreased catches due to suffocating federal groundfish rules, and strict state lobster laws have all contributed to the exchange’s recent troubles.
“We are steady right now,” Jongerden said.
But many of the exchange’s potential fish landings continue to go to other out of state ports, where draggers can offload their catch of lobsters. Maine law limits the catch of lobster to traps only.
Grant, changes
Jongerden takes the helm after two positive events that will affect the exchange’s future. Late in August, Coastal Enterprises Inc. (CEI) announced a $500,000 state grant award to the Portland Fish Pier.
In announcing the award, CEI called the nonprofit exchange the “centerpiece” of the Portland Fish Pier.
“Over the last 21 years the facility has been a staple to Maine’s groundfish industry and continues to be critically important today,” said CEI President Ron Phillips. “We feel that continuing to maintain and operate this facility is essential in order for Maine to continue to have a groundfish fleet.”
The Portland Fish Exchange auction also is in the process of going electronic.
“We need to be on the same level as the Gloucester and New Bedford auctions,” said Jongerden.
DC Systems in Portland has been doing the conversion. Although graders will still have to look over the fish at the exchange, buyers will be able to make fish purchases online from their home or office.
The new general manager takes on the post with a strategy for moving ahead.
“The short-term goals for the exchange will be to diversify its operation,” Jongerden said. “Although groundfish will continue to be our main focus, the exchange will need to capitalize more on the native shrimp resource.”
“The auction is critical to Maine,” Jongerden said. “It fans out to many industries.”
Peter K. Prybot
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