Chance Yan | January 16, 2026

Environmental conservation efforts at UMass Amherst are often centered on the wildlife surrounding the university. Since the central campus is located in western Massachusetts, wildlife typically refers to terrestrial and freshwater ecosystems. These include research involving animals such as bears, bees, lizards, freshwater fish, and many more. But what about the ocean ecosystems and all the critters that live in them? After all, the ocean covers more than 70% of the Earth’s surface [1]. As it turns out, UMass has its very own Marine Research Station located in Gloucester, Massachusetts, dedicated to learning more about these ocean ecosystems and their inhabitants. 

The UMass Amherst Gloucester Marine Station (GMS) is located along Hodgkins Cove in Gloucester, Massachusetts. The land was originally owned by the Cape Ann Granite Company from 1856-1927, then, in 1931, it transitioned into a lobster fishery until 1964, when UMass gained ownership of the land [2]. Under the lead of Dr. Herbert Hultin, the founding father of food biochemistry, UMass pioneered seafood protein biochemistry research [2]. In 2011, the station studied large pelagic (open ocean) animals, such as bluefin tuna and leatherback sea turtles. After 2015, the station experienced a period of limited activity, which lasted until 2017–2019. UMass decided to reinvest and hire faculty to shape a strategic vision for the Station and understand how it can also be an asset to the Commonwealth [3]. 

GMS is designed with multiple spaces for collaboration and research. You’ll find lab space that accommodates three seawater systems, with each holding 137 gallons of water. Right next to the building, two large tanks can hold seawater to fill the seawater systems (Figure 1). Six large tubs can also be filled from the ocean to hold animals for research. The containers are all filled with an intimidating pump that weighs almost 50 lbs. The ability to access direct ocean water into the systems makes keeping ocean critters for research much easier! 

Figure 1. An experimental setup of an undergraduate student, Tyler Pelt’s research project studying the abyssal thread count of mussels. (Source: Chance Yan)

The director of GMS, Dr. Katie Kahl, was hired in 2018 to develop a strategic vision for the station and determine how it can best serve the surrounding area. Through her work (and intense deep cleaning, as I am told), she began turning the gears at GMS again. I met with Dr. Kahl, who told me about the Station’s current focus areas and the amazing work they do. They have many different research and engagement collaborations, which were too many to count! To name a few, GMS has research partnerships with: NOAA, DMF, local fishermen, Neptune’s Harvest, Tufts University, local and regional policy makers, the other UMass campuses, and more. Currently, multiple projects are underway at GMS, which can be grouped into 4 main focus areas: Blue Economy, Climate Resilience, Marine Ecology, and Sustainable Fisheries and Seafood. 

• Blue Economy: One of GMS’ goals was to understand how the station can serve UMass and the surrounding community. In 2021, GMS published a report that assesses the baselines for the social and economic aspects of the North Shore of Massachusetts. The report examined the economic strengths and weaknesses of the area, for example, identifying how the regional economy benefits from fisheries, coastal tourism and recreation, marine transportation, and ship and boat building/repair.  Currently, GMS is working with NOAA to update the socioeconomic data and model ways in which economic vulnerability connects to ecological vulnerability. 

• Climate Resilience: As climate change progresses, coastal cities and townsand environments are affected. To implement restoration techniques in these environments, we need data to show that these techniques work. GMS collaborates with state, federal, nonprofit, and other university partners to develop monitoring strategies to assess changes. 

• Marine Ecology: Over the summer, the station is in full force. Marine animals are kept in seawater systems for research, including crabs, fish, snails, and more. Researchers there wish to understand how warming will impact these species (Figures 2, 3, 4). Recently, projects have focused on black sea bass, green crabs, Asian shore crabs, Atlantic rock crabs, and cunner. 

Figure 2. A student at GMS found a juvenile lobster while surveying the seagrass in the surrounding area. (Source: Chance Yan)

Figure 3. GMS has its own research vessel, which is used multiple times over the course of the summer. (Source: Chance Yan)

Figure 4. For weighing crabs, we place them into a jar; however, some are more willing than others to be weighed! (Source: Chance Yan)

• Sustainable Fisheries and Seafood: Gloucester is the birthplace of commercial fishing and is also known for its lobster catch, serving as one of the largest lobster ports in the United States. To catch lobster, fishermen bait traps with fish, which takes time and money to catch. Collaborating with the state and lobstermen, GMS is working on an alternative lobster bait solution.

Currently, GMS is undergoing renovations to add a living seawall, dock, and crane, and outdoor teaching and meeting areas (Figure 5). They are currently looking to expand the station by adding housing and hosting classes at GMS in the future. If you’d like to get involved in the research there or are simply curious about the station, you can email Dr. Katie Kahl at kkahl@umass.edu or get in touch with any of the passionate faculty members, who would be happy to talk about GMS!

Figure 5. A photo I took recently while I was at Gloucester Marine Station. The concrete in the back has been completely removed, and there are plans to make a classroom area where the steel pillars are in the photo.  (Source: Chance Yan)

References

[1] UMass. “Inspiring Collaborative Research and Engagement.” UMass Amherst. Accessed January 6, 2026. https://www.umass.edu/gloucester-marine-station/. 

[2] Dr. Katie Kahl and Chance Yan. Interviewing Dr. Katie Khal about Gloucester Marine Station. Personal, November 5, 2025. 

[3] US Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. “How Much Water Is in the Ocean?” NOAA’s National Ocean Service, October 22, 2018. https://oceanservice.noaa.gov/facts/oceanwater.html.