Fisheries of Gloucester

About this board game

Fisheries of Gloucester is a two-player board game that plays in about 45 minutes, as rival fleets compete across six days of 19th-century New England fishing.

Gloucester’s ports are filled with rugged individuals preparing for the demanding work ahead. Each player commands a fleet of three boats, gathering a crew, boarding schooners, casting nets, and searching the ocean for valuable catches.

Every day, players receive a designated number of hours to spend on important actions. These can include charting a course, sailing boats, and catching fish. The changing balance of available time shapes what each fleet can accomplish before the day ends.

• Lay down ocean tiles with varied polynomial shapes to chart courses.
• Advance your three boats along the courses you create.
• Race against other boats toward prime fishing spots.
• Catch different varieties of fish to earn points.
• Finish the game on an island in the ocean for additional scoring opportunities.

Before boats can move, their routes must be established by placing ocean tiles. Once courses are set, players advance their vessels along those routes, competing to reach the best fishing locations. The resulting contest combines route building, limited working hours, movement, and the race for productive waters.

After six rounds, points come from the varieties of fish caught and from where boats finish. Fisheries of Gloucester brings the hard work and competition of the fishing industry to a focused game for exactly two players, with each day offering new decisions about how to use time, shape courses, and pursue victory.