Mark Ring
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.
Molly Graham
Mark Ring was born in Beverly, Massachusetts, in 1957. He graduated from Manchester High School in 1975. Growing up, Mark's father ran a marina, and he had uncles who were commercial fishermen. He spent his teenage years fishing on a skiff and lobstering with his uncles. After high school, Mark moved to Gloucester and fished - gillnetting and swordfishing - during the 1970s and 1980s. He fished in Mexico, and from the Caribbean to Newfoundland. Since the early 1990s, Mark has been lobstering out of Gloucester.
Scope and Content Note
Mark Ring discusses changes in the fishing industry in Gloucester, Massachusetts, particularly regarding cod. He mentions the decline in cod populations and how it has impacted the fishing community. Ring also explains that cod used to be abundant in the area, but overfishing and environmental factors have led to their scarcity. He notes that the regulations put in place to protect cod have been difficult for fishermen to navigate. The shift in the types of fish being caught, such as haddock, is also mentioned.
Briefly, Ring speaks to tourism in Gloucester and his relationship to the fishing vessel Andrea Gail, featured in the film A Perfect Storm. Gloucester has become more tourist-oriented, attracting visitors interested in its fishing history. Ring mentions the development of a controversial hotel, seen as progress by some, but disliked by others. He highlights the challenges faced by property owners around the harbor and the need to strike a balance between preserving the fishing industry and accommodating development interests.
Ring goes on to discuss his concerns about the future of cod fishing and the need for sustainable practices to ensure the recovery of cod populations. This discussion highlights the challenges faced by fishermen and the broader issues surrounding the sustainability of fishing in Gloucester.
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