Inspiring collaborative research and engagement

Local Research with Global Reach

The Gloucester Marine Station (GMS) creates hands-on learning opportunities. Faculty collaborate with coastal communities and the public and private partners who operate with and within them. Located in the southern Gulf of Maine, the station offers an immersive marine and coastal research, learning, and engagement experience with far-reaching applications throughout Massachusetts, New England, and beyond. 

The station provides practical experience in coastal and marine systems and engagement with the people and communities who rely on them for their livelihoods and quality of life. Research focus areas at GMS carve out space for contributions to essential research touching everything from biology to energy to public policy and more. 

30
UMass interns at GMS since 2019
53%
of Massachusetts residents live in coastal communities
70%
of the Earth's surface is covered by the ocean

Focus Areas

At the Gloucester Marine Station, our mission of inspiring active learning through collaborative and integrated research, engagement, and education is being achieved through four focus areas:

Focus Areas > Blue Economy Blue Economy Focus Areas > Climate Resilience Climate Resilience Focus Areas > Marine Ecology Marine Ecology Focus Areas > Sustainable Fisheries & Seafood Sustainable Fisheries and Seafood

Recent News

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UMass Amherst, MassTech Celebrate $3 Million Investment in Gloucester Marine Station
“When we look at our beautiful coastline, like the one surrounding us now, we are reminded of how crucial it is to both protect and preserve this ecosystem, marine life, and the communities that rely upon it, like Gloucester, and the incredible research work of UMass Amherst.” - Sarah Stanton
May 31, 2024
GMS Neighborhood Meeting Held Apr. 2, 2024
Over 50 neighbors attended an informational webinar followed by over 30 minutes of question-and-answer. The UMass team shared an update on their research program and vision for updates to the 7-acre property in Hodgkins Cove.
April 4, 2024
Gloucester Conservation Commission to discuss proposed GMS updates
Resilient updates to the UMass Amherst Gloucester Marine Station will offer immersive, hands-on opportunities for faculty, students and research partners.
April 3, 2024

Our History

The Gloucester Marine Station site at Hodgkins Cove has been linked to UMass Amherst since the 1960s, but its history goes back even further than that. 

About > History Learn more about our history