Atlantic Canada Fish Farmers Association

What Atlantic Canada Fish Farmers Association does

Atlantic Canada Fish Farmers Association (ACFFA) is a non-profit industry trade association founded in 1987 (originally as the New Brunswick Salmon Growers Association) and headquartered in Letang, New Brunswick. It functions as the sole regional voice for salmonid farming in Atlantic Canada, representing commercial salmon farmers, feed producers, and a network of approximately 1,400 supply-chain businesses. Its core activities are industry advocacy, research-driven policy support, public education, and conservation leadership — most visibly through the Fundy Salmon Recovery program and operation of the World's First Wild Salmon Marine Conservation Farm at Dark Harbour, Grand Manan.

ACFFA's product portfolio is primarily non-commercial: educational assets including The Farm on the Sea children's book (2019, English and French) and its companion animated video (2020), the Salmon Science Hub research portal, classroom-visit and farm-tour outreach services, and an annual industry awards program (Atlantic Canada Aquaculture Award, established 2017). Underlying technical assets of the sector it represents include recirculation-based land hatcheries, single year-class ocean stocking, bay management areas, and coordinated fallowing — operational practices rather than ACFFA-owned IP.

The association's business model is membership-based, generating revenue through member dues and service fees (specific tiers not publicly disclosed). There are no disclosed revenue figures for ACFFA itself; sector-level economic output is reported at C$3.2B annually, supporting ~9,400 direct and indirect jobs. Governance is by a Board of Directors with representatives from major member companies including Cooke Aquaculture, Skretting, and Marine Harvest/Northern Harvest. Leadership transitioned in March 2025, with Tom Taylor succeeding Susan Farquharson as Executive Director.

Name

Atlantic Canada Fish Farmers Association

Legal name

Atlantic Canada Fish Farmers Association

Website

https://atlanticfishfarmers.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1987

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Atlantic Canada Fish Farmers Association (ACFFA) is a non-profit trade association, founded 1987, representing salmon farmers, feed producers, and ~1,400 supply-chain businesses across Atlantic Canada through advocacy, research coordination, public education, and wild salmon conservation programs.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Aquaculture Industry Association

NAICS

Aquaculture (11251), Aquaculture (1125), Support Activities for Animal Production (11521)

SIC

Agricultural Prod-Livestock & Animal Specialties (200), Agricultural Services (700), Prepared Fresh Or Frozen Fish & Seafoods (2092)

akta.pro primary industry

Recirculating Aquaculture Systems (RAS) & Land-Based Farming (AFAEAAAG)

akta.pro secondary industries

Agriculture, Fisheries & Food Administration (BPAIAAAO), Aquaculture Harvest, Processing & Packing (Farmed Finfish/Shellfish; On-Farm Plants) (AFANADAL), Hatchery Equipment, Systems & Technology (RAS Hatcheries, Incubation, Grading, Transport Systems) (AFAEAKAL)

Keywords

• Salmon farming association
• Aquaculture advocacy
• Finfish farming support
• Wild salmon conservation
• Industry association services

Headquarters

HQ city

Saint George

HQ country

Canada

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Operations, Others

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

The Atlantic Canada Fish Farmers Association (ACFFA) is a non-profit industry trade association that represents salmon farmers, feed producers, and service & support organizations across Atlantic Canada. It provides industry advocacy, science-based policy representation, public education, conservation programming (including the Wild Salmon Recovery program), and member services such as networking, communications, and event coordination. ACFFA also produces educational resources such as The Farm on the Sea children's book and animated video, and operates the Salmon Science Hub research portal.

Product overview

The Atlantic Canada Fish Farmers Association (ACFFA) is an industry association that represents salmon farmers, feed producers, and service organizations across Atlantic Canada. Rather than offering a unified software product, ACFFA provides a portfolio of advocacy services, educational resources, and conservation programs. Key offerings include The Farm on the Sea (a children's book and animated video available in English and French that educates about salmon farming), the Salmon Science Hub (providing research and technology resources), Community Outreach Services (classroom visits, career info, farm tours), and the Wild Salmon Recovery Program (a collaborative conservation initiative including the World's First Wild Salmon Conservation Marine Farm). The association also publishes research reports, coordinates industry events and awards, and advocates for science-based aquaculture policy.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• The Farm on the Sea: A children's educational book about salmon farming featuring 'Sunny the Salmon', available in English and French. Proceeds from sales have been donated to local food banks and literacy programs.

Products and services

• The Farm on the Sea (Book and Animated Video) A children's educational book and animated video featuring Sunny the blue salmon that guides readers through the stages of salmon farming. Available in English and French for readers ages 6-8. Proceeds from sales have been donated to local food banks and literacy programs.
• The Farm on the Sea Animated Video An animated video companion to The Farm on the Sea children's book, available in English and French, serving as an educational tool about salmon farming for children and families.
• World's First Wild Salmon Marine Conservation Farm A marine conservation facility located in Dark Harbour on Grand Manan Island, operated by Cooke Aquaculture as part of the Fundy Salmon Recovery program. Endangered wild Atlantic salmon are reared using aquaculture techniques to improve survival rates before release into native rivers. The program has returned 13,230 mature wild salmon to inner Bay of Fundy rivers since 2016.

Quantifiable outcome

• Supports 9,400+ jobs and $3.2 billion in total economic output annually across Atlantic Canada
• +4 more outcomes

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

17 partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• NB Department of Agriculture, Aquaculture and FisheriesminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2019The Department supported the production of The Farm on the Sea children's book as part of ACFFA's public education and outreach initiatives.
• CBC (Harbour Lights Campaign)minorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2019ACFFA partnered with CBC's annual Harbour Lights Campaign, with proceeds from The Farm on the Sea book sales donated to food banks across southern New Brunswick ($4,800 raised).
• Elementary Literacy Inc. (ELF)minorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2019ACFFA donated 650 copies of The Farm on the Sea to Elementary Literacy Inc. for Family Literacy Day, distributed to reading mentors and student participants in New Brunswick.
• Northeast NutritionminorOthers · 1 January 2018Northeast Nutrition (part of Cooke Aquaculture) co-sponsored the 2018 Atlantic Canada Aquaculture Award with Skretting International. Alan Donkin served as Nutrition Manager at Northeast Nutrition.
• Cooke AquaculturecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2017Cooke Aquaculture operates and maintains the World's First Wild Salmon Marine Conservation Farm at Dark Harbour on Grand Manan Island. The company provides specialized nets and pens, staff expertise, and supports fish health, feeding, and transport for the wild salmon recovery program. Cooke Aquaculture is also a member company and ACFFA Board member organization.
• Skretting InternationalminorOthers · 1 January 2017Skretting International is a major fish feed company and ACFFA member company. They have sponsored the Atlantic Canada Aquaculture Award and Gary Taylor served as an employee of Skretting before joining the industry.
• Fundy Salmon Recovery (FSR)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerACFFA is a key partner in Fundy Salmon Recovery, a collaborative wild salmon conservation initiative. FSR brings together Indigenous partners, aquaculture operators, scientists, and governments including Fort Folly First Nation, Cooke Aquaculture, University of New Brunswick, Province of New Brunswick, Parks Canada, and Fisheries and Oceans Canada. The program operates the World's First Wild Salmon Marine Conservation Farm on Grand Manan Island and has returned 13,230 mature wild salmon to inner Bay of Fundy rivers since 2016.
• Fort Folly First NationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFort Folly First Nation leads recovery efforts on the Petitcodiac River system as part of Fundy Salmon Recovery. The community runs Fort Folly Habitat Recovery, releasing wild salmon into the Petitcodiac River.
• Parks CanadacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerParks Canada is a key partner in Fundy Salmon Recovery, providing release sites within Fundy National Park and conducting ecosystem monitoring. Research by UNB scientist Dr. Kurt Samways shows improved river ecosystem productivity due to marine nutrients from adult salmon returns.
• University of New Brunswick (UNB)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUNB researchers, including Dr. Kurt Samways, contribute scientific expertise to Fundy Salmon Recovery, studying river ecosystem productivity improvements attributed to wild salmon returns.
• Government of New BrunswickcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvince of New Brunswick is a partner in Fundy Salmon Recovery, providing regulatory oversight, fish health testing, and policy support for wild salmon conservation efforts.
• Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDFO is a partner in Fundy Salmon Recovery, involved in monitoring, species protection, and funding for wild Atlantic salmon conservation. DFO also provides regulatory oversight of the aquaculture sector.
• Narrative Research AssociatesminorOthersNarrative Research Associates conducts regular public opinion polling on aquaculture support in Atlantic Canada on behalf of ACFFA. Survey findings consistently show 80-85% public support for salmon farming in the region.
• NBCC (New Brunswick Community College)minorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerACFFA supports and promotes NBCC's Aquaculture Operations Course, helping develop the skilled workforce needed for the salmon farming sector in Atlantic Canada.
• Atlantic Salmon Law Enforcement CoalitionminorOthersLocal law enforcement agencies working together to increase joint patrols and surveillance on inner Bay of Fundy rivers, particularly those with active wild salmon recovery efforts.
• Canadian Aquaculture Industry AssociationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Canadian Aquaculture Industry Association issues socio-economic reports on the Canadian aquaculture sector, with ACFFA referenced as the regional voice for Atlantic Canada finfish farming.
• Village of Grand MananminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Village of Grand Manan owns the Wild Salmon Marine Conservation Site in Dark Harbour, which is operated by Cooke Aquaculture as part of Fundy Salmon Recovery.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Scottish Salmon Producers Organisation (SSPO): Trade body for Scottish farmed salmon producers. Closely comparable mission and species focus; relevant peer as Scotland has navigated similar regulatory and environmental challenges that ACFFA members face, providing a benchmark for industry association strategy.
• SalmonChile: Chilean salmon industry trade association. Highly comparable in mission (advocacy, sustainability, communications) for salmonid farming; Chile is the second-largest global salmon producer, making SalmonChile a relevant international benchmark for ACFFA's policy and communications strategies.
• BC Salmon Farmers Association: Regional trade association representing salmon farmers in British Columbia. Most direct comparable peer—same species (Atlantic salmon), same advocacy function, but operating in a different Canadian province currently facing significant regulatory headwinds.

Broad incumbents

• European Aquaculture Society (EAS): European scientific and industry association promoting sustainable aquaculture. Comparable in mission (research coordination, education, advocacy for aquaculture) but operating at the continental scientific-policy interface rather than as a regional producer trade body.
• Norwegian Seafood Council: Norway's government-backed seafood marketing and industry body. Norway is the world's largest salmon producer; the NSC's market development and communications strategies for Norwegian salmon provide a global benchmark ACFFA adapts regionally.
• Canadian Aquaculture Industry Association (CAIA): National industry association for Canadian aquaculture. Directly comparable to ACFFA but at the federal level, representing all aquaculture segments (finfish, shellfish, freshwater) across Canada. ACFFA is the Atlantic Canada regional voice that CAIA references for regional data.
• National Aquaculture Association (US): U.S. national trade association representing aquaculture producers and service suppliers. Comparable in trade association function and policy advocacy for aquaculture; serves a different national market but addresses similar species (including salmonids).
• Global Seafood Alliance (GSA): International non-profit advancing responsible seafood practices through Best Aquaculture Practices (BAP) certification. Comparable in advocacy and standards-setting function, but operating globally across all seafood rather than a single region or species.

Regional players

• Tasmanian Salmonid Growers Association (TSGA): Industry association for Tasmanian salmonid farming in Australia. Comparable species, advocacy function, and environmental focus; serves a different geography with similar regulatory and indigenous-relations dynamics.
• Seafood Producers Association of Nova Scotia (SPANS): Provincial seafood industry association in Nova Scotia. Adjacent peer focused on broader seafood (including wild capture) but shares the same advocacy and member-services model within the same Atlantic Canadian geography.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/atlfishfarmers
• Facebookfacebook.com/Atlanticfishfarmers
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/atlantic-canada-fish-farmers-association

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Atlantic Canada Fish Farmers Association