Maine fish auctioneer hangs up microphone

PORTLAND – The longtime auctioneer at Portland’s waterfront fish auction is hanging up his microphone.

Monday marked the last day of work for auctioneer Paul Dewey.

For more than 20 years, Dewey ran the bidding in rapid-fire style for seafood that made its way from fishing boats onto the auction floor of the Portland Fish Exchange.

But a declining catch led to cost cutting. These days, the computerized auction allows buyers to place bids from their offices, putting an end to the live fish auction.