Ann Molloy
Strengthening Community Resilience in America’s Oldest Seaport
In partnership with the Northeast Fisheries Science Center, these oral history recordings capture the invaluable life experiences of long-lived members of Gloucester's working waterfront, one of the oldest fishing communities in the United States.
On October 16, 2019, Molly Graham interviewed Ann Molloy for the Strengthening Community Resilience in America’s Oldest Seaport project. Ann Molloy, a native of Gloucester, Massachusetts, and a member of a longstanding Sicilian-American fishing family provides a rich account of her family’s deep roots in the community. Her grandparents immigrated from Sicily in the early 1900s, transitioning from small-scale Mediterranean fishing to becoming integral parts of Gloucester’s fishing industry. The interview explores the evolution of the family business, from the establishment of Progressive Seafood Company by Molloy’s grandfather to the creation of Ocean Crest Seafoods by her father. Molloy discusses the operational challenges faced by the family business, including the management of gurry, a byproduct of fish processing, and the strategic shifts required to adapt to fluctuating market demands. She highlights the importance of community and family in sustaining the business, with all five siblings and their extended family actively involved in its operations. The interview also touches on broader economic and regulatory changes that have impacted Gloucester’s fishing industry, with Molloy expressing concerns about the effects of government restrictions and climate change on local fisheries. Additionally, Molloy reflects on the challenges posed by gentrification and the pressures on Gloucester’s identity as a fishing community, emphasizing the need to protect the cultural and economic heritage of America’s oldest seaport.
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