Twenty-First Century
Embarking on a new era
For a Resilient Future: The UMass Amherst Gloucester Marine Station 2025–2030 focuses on advancing the science and practice of coastal and marine resilience; supporting regional economic development; and training the next generation of scientists.
Chancellor Javier Reyes announces MassTech Collaborative capital funding
Chancellor Javier Reyes, state and local officials, and the MassTech Collaborative announced capital funding for resilient infrastructure upgrades and strategic initiatives at GMS. With shared investment by MassTech and the university, work begins on a range of upgrades, including new outdoor research and education space, installation of a Living Seawall, dock and crane, and hardscape repairs.
Katie Kahl named Director of UMass Amherst GMS
Engaging with university colleagues, researchers, regional partners, and statewide thought leaders, Kahl begins a new era of growth and expansion for the station. Efforts include unprecedented financial support and development of a new five-year strategic plan.
Chancellor Kumble Subbaswamy announces $400,000 in funding
Chancellor Kumble Subbaswamy and government leaders at the federal, state, and local levels announce $400,000 in federal and state funding to:
- support UMass Amherst GMS operations; and
- leverage new and emerging opportunities to advance a comprehensive, regional and resilient economic development strategy.
Active community engagement
Actively engaging with over 400 community members, and partnering with government, nonprofits, and the private sector UMass Amherst GMS generates a historic level of growth and success:
- state and federal research grants lead to 20 new research projects covering fisheries and seafood systems, marine ecology, economy and climate resilience;
- investment from the Commonwealth and UMass Amherst supported critical capital improvements; and
- funding from 13 state, federal, and university programs supported 33 undergraduate and graduate students' participation in immersive internships and research projects.
Massachusetts Lobsterman’s Association and Neptune’s Harvest collaboration
In collaboration with the Massachusetts Lobsterman’s Association and Neptune’s Harvest, UMass Amherst GMS researchers launched study to develop and evaluate a sustainable alternative lobster bait for use in the Gulf of Maine ($450,000 award from the 2020 National Sea Grant program).
UMass Amherst GMS hires four new faculty members
UMass Amherst GMS hires four new faculty members to set a new strategic direction for the station. The resulting 2020-2025 Gloucester Marine Station (GMS) Strategic Plan presents a vision for the station, identifying three five-year goals with a focus on support and investment.
Adrian Jordaan named Director of UMass Amherst GMS
Adrian Jordaan is named director of the UMass Amherst GMS and launches a fisheries research program. Areas of focus include understanding the influence of environmental variables on growth and survival of individuals and populations and determining the best management policies given environmental constraints and geographic distributions of fish.
New marine science research center
UMass and the Massachusetts Department of Fish and Game/Division of Marine Fisheries open a shared marine science research center at the UMass Amherst GMS. Under the direction of Dr. Molly Lutcavage, the center informs the future sustainability of marine fisheries by studying giant bluefin tuna, leatherback turtles and other large open ocean pelagics.
Twentieth Century
Declines in fish populations—and catch rates
Employment in the fishing industry is down by 55% from 1966. Following a steady decline of most commercial fish, levels of catch are now lower than before the 200-mile limit was passed.
Commercial fishing boom near Gloucester
Commercial fishing experiencing a boom, with Gloucester fish landings reaching 202 million pounds valued at $36 million. Large steel-hulled and fiberglass vessels with modern electronics replaced the post-World War II draggers. The surge is spurred in part by a 1976 federal loan guarantee program, enabling the National Marine Fisheries Service to cover 100% of a commercial fisherman’s borrowing costs.
Fishery Conservation and Management Act passes
The Fishery Conservation and Management Act is passed, designating up to 200 miles offshore as an extended fishing zone where foreign vessels could not fish.
The act also establishes fishery management councils responsible for management plans to prevent overfishing.
Herbert Hultin is Director of UMass Amherst GMS
Considered the founding father of food biochemistry, he holds numerous patents and more than 50 research awards and contracts from organizations such as the NSF, NOAA, USDA, and NIH. His students become leaders in the food science industry, renowned research scientists, and distinguished faculty at universities throughout the world.
Pioneering a study of fish irradiation
The Bureau of Fisheries Gloucester Technological Laboratory pioneers a study of fish irradiation to extend the shelf life of fish, with a focus on innovative processing and packaging techniques. While irradiation was studied worldwide, the Gloucester laboratory set the standard for making the process commercially viable.
UMass Trustees transfer future site of GMS to the Commonwealth
UMass Trustees transfer the site of the future UMass Amherst GMS to the Commonwealth of Massachusetts for use by the flagship campus.
UMass Foundation gives future site of GMS to Hodgkins Cove Corporation
The UMass Foundation conveys the site of the future UMass Amherst GMS to the Hodgkins Cove Corporation.
Bureau of Fisheries Gloucester Technological Laboratory moves to Gloucester
When the Bureau of Fisheries Gloucester Technological Laboratory moves to Gloucester, they bring research, related to freezing fish at sea and storing whiting fish in refrigerated seawater prior to processing.
The Consolidated Lobster Company
Housed on the future site of UMass Amherst GMS, imports lobsters from Canada by boat, offloading the supply at Hodgkins Cove, and then shipping lobsters around the United States. At the height of business, the company distributes four million live lobsters annually.
New opportunities in Gloucester fishing industry
The turn of the twentieth century brings opportunities to cross-pollinate the Gloucester fishing industry with food science and technology. Including the arrival of Clarence Birdseye to the city in 1924, where he invents flash freezing technology and frozen fish fillets, forever changing the way Americans eat.
Gorton-Pew Company creates integrated firm
The Gorton-Pew Company creates a vertically integrated firm with 55 fishing vessels, 1,000 fishermen, and 1,000 employees to dry, bone, cut, smoke, package, and ship millions of pounds of fish each year.
Helen Miller Gould launches first large Gloucester gasoline-powered fishing vessel
The Helen Miller Gould launches the first large Gloucester fishing vessel equipped with a 150-horsepower gasoline engine to supplement the sail power.
Nineteenth Century and Before
Gloucester chosen as headquarters of United States Fish Commission
Gloucester is selected as the summer headquarters of the United States Fish Commission.
Lewis H. Marchant and Company produces wooden crates for storage
Lewis H. Marchant and Company begin producing wooden crates for storing fish, turning out 5,000 crates a day.
Cape Ann Granite Company operates on future site of GMS
The Cape Ann Granite Company, and later the Rockport Granite Company, operate on the future site of UMass Amherst GMS. For 100 years, the granite trade plays a major role in the local economy. Quarried from the center of Cape Ann, granite is run down a rail line to Hodgkins Cove, and shipped out by schooner, traveling up and down the Atlantic Coast and as far away as Europe and Cuba.
Francis Homans constructs 32-acre lake
Francis Homans constructs Fernwood Lake, a 32-acre man-made lake, to harvest ice. His house, located on the lake, can store over 10,000 tons of ice.
Gloucester Fishing Company deploys 70+ schooners in Georges Bank
The Gloucester Fishing Company deploys more than 70 schooners for halibut fishing in Georges Bank.
Stanwood & Company opens
The Stanwood & Company opens its doors, curing and packing a variety of fish.
Cape Ann Anchor forges anchors
Cape Ann Anchor forges anchors for the Gloucester fishing fleet, expanding and evolving over the decades.
The first schooner launches from Eastern Point
The first schooner, built by Captain Andrew Robinson, launches from Eastern Point. Designed for maximum travel distance and catch efficiency, the schooner skims along the water—revolutionizing the fishing industry by reducing sailing time and dramatically increasing catch.
First recorded ship built in Gloucester
The first recorded ship is built in Gloucester, by William Stevens.
Colonists settle in Gloucester and establish first commercial fishing port
Colonists from Dorchester, England settle in Gloucester, leveraging its exceptional access to the ocean by establishing the first commercial fishing port. Over the centuries, as new businesses and services emerge to support the growing regional industry, Gloucester becomes an innovative leader in commercial fishing.