Ann Molloy was born in Gloucester, Massachusetts, in 1965. Her ancestors all came from Sicily, where they fished.  She graduated from the University of Northern Colorado and began to work for the family business, Neptune's Harvest, a division of Ocean Crest Seafoods, Inc. as a bookkeeper and is now in charge of sales and marketing.  Ann is a big advocate for Gloucester's Working Waterfront.   

Scope and Content Note

Ann Molloy discusses her experiences and observations in the fishing industry, specifically in Gloucester. She shares her insights on the functioning of seaports and fisheries in other countries, noting that Gloucester's fish and food quality surpass those she encountered abroad. She attributes this to the cold water and the nutrient-rich environment, which she believes contribute to the superior taste and nutritional value of fish. She raises concerns about the changes in Gloucester, such as gentrification and the removal of chunks of the DPA (Designated Port Area), which threaten the community's fishing identity. Molloy also delves into the pressures facing the fishing industry, including ocean warming, government restrictions on fishermen, and the introduction of nonconforming uses like windmills, pipelines, and excavation. She goes on to point out that the majority of seafood is imported, and government grants are directed toward aquaculture, which she considers less nutritious and potentially harmful to wild fish populations. Molloy discusses her seaweed line of fertilizer, highlighting its sustainability and the benefits it offers to soil, plants, and people. She mentions the challenges faced by her business due to the decline in the fishing industry, resulting in supply shortages and increased expenses. The demand for fish remains as bait, pet food, and fertilizer has caused prices to rise. She notes the family's goal of keeping the business within the family and expanding with new products to alleviate the pressure caused by the reduced availability of fish.