BRINGING PROSPERITY TO Atlantic canada

Innovative and home-grown, Atlantic Canada’s fish farming industry is helping fill a global need for healthy food and bringing economic prosperity to our region. 

Atlantic Canada’s salmon farming industry is one of this region’s biggest economic drivers. Salmon farming employs over 8,000 people in our region, generates $2 billion in total economic output and grows over 323 million meals annually.

Farmed salmon is the second biggest agriculture-based export in Atlantic Canada. Atlantic Canadian fish farms - locally owned and operated -  produce 50 per cent of Canada’s farmed salmon. Our farmers produce between 40 and 70 thousand tonnes of fish annually, or between approximately ten and twenty million fish. More than 75 per cent of our region’s farmed salmon is exported to the United States.

The salmon farming industry has revitalized coastal communities across Atlantic Canada. Charlotte County, New Brunswick is only one example. Once hard hit by unemployment, Charlotte County became the birthplace of Canada’s east coast commercial salmon farming industry nearly four decades ago. Now, the industry directly and indirectly creates 1,870 jobs in Charlotte County alone, which represents about 16 per cent of employment in the area and 26 per cent of employment income.

Socioeconomic Benefits of Salmon Farming in Atlantic Canada 2020 - Overview of RIAS Inc. Report

Faces of Salmon Farming

Meet some of the people who work in the salmon farming industry in Atlantic Canada. They live, work and raise their families right here in your communities, and are world-class experts in their fields.

Meet Amanda

One of the growing number of women who work in aquaculture.

Meet Clarence

One man’s leap of faith brings jobs to Charlotte County.

Meet Stacey

A fish health veterinarian finds her niche in aquaculture.

Meet Jason

Production manager leads innovative approach at St. George processing plant.

Meet Steve

After almost 25 years, fish health pioneer still relishes the opportunities.

 
 

Salmon Farming's Ripple Effect

While many of the jobs directly related to salmon farming occur in Atlantic Canada’s rural and coastal communities, the success of salmon farming has created employment opportunities throughout the region in feed manufacturing, packaging, transportation, the supply and service sectors as well as spin-off jobs in other sectors of the community including retail and tourism.