ABOUT US

Who
We Are

The Atlantic Canada Fish Farmers Association (ACFFA) is an industry-funded association providing advocacy and resource support services for the fish farming industry operating in Atlantic Canada. Our strong regional voice on behalf of the sector is recognized at all levels of government
and in community engagement.

Our Vision
Premium fresh Atlantic Canadian farmed fish on every table.
Our Mission
Cultivating sector excellence, public pride, and consumer confidence.
Proudly

Atlantic
We advocate strongly for a responsible, effective regulatory framework that recognizes salmon aquaculture as ocean farmers. We are proud of, and actively sponsor, the industry’s corporate social responsibility that can be witnessed in programs that address everything from wild salmon conservation and coastal cleanups to local community and youth activities.

The associations’ 81 members include farmers, feed producers, and an extensive list of companies, organizations providing support services, and agencies regulating the industry, as well as other marine users.

Operating a private marine tidal wharf facility to service our members and the local community the ACFFA Limekiln Wharf Service Centre provides year-round priority admission to our members who pay for access through annual fees determined on a case by case basis.

The ACFFA, formerly known as the New Brunswick Salmon Growers’ Association (NBSGA), has represented salmon farmers since 1987.

Meet
Our Team
Susan Farquharson
Executive Director
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Kathy Kaufield
Communications Director
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Evie Gagné
Science Liaison Coordinator
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Katelyn McLauchlin
Community Outreach and Education Coordinator
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Tobi Taylor
Operations Manager
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Jim Hanley
Wharfinger
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Susan Farquharson
Executive Director
Susan is the Executive Director for the Atlantic Canada Fish Farmers Association, where she started in 2015 after holding an Executive position at the Canadian Rivers Institute, at UNB.

She holds an MA in Environment and Management and has trained nationally and abroad. She achieved her Master’s Certification in Project Management and is a PMP certified project manager. She is a graduate of the Leadership for Environment and Development (LEAD) Programme (Moscow), completing (2) two-year participatory action research on collaborative resource management, and received a certificate of completion from the Beahrs Environmental Leadership Program Environmental Leadership at UC-Berkeley, School of Natural Resource Management.

During her career, she has led several projects for various organizations including Canadian Coast Guard, the New Brunswick Department of Agriculture, Aquaculture and Fisheries, municipal governments in both New Brunswick and Nova Scotia and has 25 years of experience managing not for profits.

Susan has dedicated time to her community by volunteering on both a local service district advisory committee and as a past director of a regional service commission. She currently serves as Deputy Mayor of Fundy Shores municipality in New Brunswick. Her work and volunteer activities have been acknowledged with awards and recognition – most notably the New Brunswick Environmental Leadership Award, two Gulf of Maine Visionary Awards and as the 2nd honorary member of the Canadian Rivers Institute.

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Kathy Kaufield
Communications Director
Kathy has led ACFFA’s communications since 2010.

Kathy began her career as a journalist, spending nearly two decades covering human interest stories, municipal affairs, crime and provincial politics as a reporter, editor and columnist in Prince Edward Island and New Brunswick. She has worked for The Eastern Graphic, The Guardian (PEI) and The New Brunswick Telegraph Journal. Her work has appeared in The Ottawa Citizen, The Toronto Star, FLARE, EDIT Magazine and The Huffington Post. She was part of a team that earned a National Newspaper Award.

Her communications experience spans a variety of sectors including aquaculture, pharmacy, energy, health care and public safety. As a volunteer patient advocate with Dense Breasts Canada and via her #TellMe social media campaign, Kathy is on a mission to raise awareness about the importance of women knowing their breast density and to improve breast screening programs across Canada. Kathy has a Bachelor of Arts degree (English major) from Acadia University in Wolfville, NS as well as a Bachelor of Journalism degree from the University of King’s College in Halifax NS.

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Evie Gagné
Science Liaison Coordinator
Evie is the Science Liaison Coordinator with the Atlantic Canada Fish Farmers Association (ACFFA) where she provides project management support and coordination of the association’s science, research, and policy projects.

She has been working in the aquaculture industry for almost 25 years. She started her career working with Dr. Shawn Robinson at DFO’s Biological Station in St. Andrews, NB; worked as Dr. Steve Backman’s technician at Moore Clarke (now Skretting) and then spent over 20 years in fish health at Cooke Aquaculture.

At ACFFA, Evie organizes and hosts workshops that are targeted to meeting specific aquaculture challenges and assists the industry with meeting the requirements of regulatory/voluntary certification programs. In her role she works with industry to identify opportunities and facilitate logistics to transfer knowledge and provide advice in Atlantic Canada via committees and workshops and other mediums as required. She also communicates salmon farming science and technology priorities to academia, government, and the public. Evie serves on the Board of Directors of the Aquaculture Association of Canada.

Evie earned a Bachelor of Science in Natural Science and an Honours Bachelor of Outdoor Education from Lakehead University and has served as Board President of the Charlotte County SPCA since 1999. In 2008, she and her fellow board members built the first animal shelter in Charlotte County, NB, which is still thriving today.

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Katelyn McLauchlin
Community Outreach and Education Coordinator
Katelyn is ACFFA’s Community Outreach and Education Coordinator.

A graduate with honours from the New Brunswick Community College Aquaculture Technician Program in 2012, Katie brings over a decade of experience in aquaculture to her role. She has worked in an ISO17025 lab, wet lab and multiple hatcheries. She worked at New Brunswick’s provincial research organization RPC as a Molecular Biology Technician and Bioscience Client Relations Lead. A resident of Black’s Harbour, NB, Katie also worked at the Huntsman Marine Science Centre as an Aquaculture Research Technician.

Katie works to educate people about Atlantic Canada’s salmon farming sector by taking the lead on ACFFA’s community outreach and education projects and services, including our New Brunswick Open Farm Day tours, our K-12 education programs as well as our activities to promote aquaculture as a career.

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Tobi Taylor
Operations Manager
Tobi has served as ACFFA’s Operations Manager since 2013. At ACFFA she oversees the daily operations of the office, administers the accounting and bookkeeping for the Association as well as financial management of government projects.

She graduated with honours from New Brunswick Community College with a certificate in Business Administration and has over 30 years of experience in financial management including lending and credit analysis. As the Operations Manager, she manages the day-to-day activities of the Limekiln Bay Service Center.

Tobi has volunteered with various non-profit organizations including the local Chamber of Commerce, Treasurer of the Kiwanis Club, Chair of Fundy High Home and School, Parent Student Support Committee, and fundraiser for several charitable organizations.

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Jim Hanley
Wharfinger
Jim Hanley has served as ACFFA’s Wharfinger for over 25 years.

He oversees daily activities at the Limekiln Bay Service Center, which is an industry operated marine tidal wharf facility serving our members. Jim has contributed countless volunteer hours to his community including serving as President of St. George Legion for many years, President of local Seniors Club and several positions at the Deer Island Masonic Lodge (current President).

Our Board
Our Board of Directors is elected from the membership
Tom Taylor
Chair
Cooke Aquaculture Inc.
Gideon Pringle
Vice Chair
MOWI Canada East Inc.
David Seeley
Secretary/Treasurer
Skretting North America
Bob Sweeney
Member
Sweeney International Marine Corp.
Debbie Plouffe
Member
The Center for Aquaculture Technologies
Morton Benson
Member
Benson Aquaculture
Chris Bourque
Member
Mitchell McConnell Insurance
Jackie Zimmerman
Member
Merck
Rebecca Liston
Member
Research and Productivity Council
Jonathan Gagne
Member
Enterprise Shippagan & International Seafood and Bait
Jason McGrattan
Member
Elanco Canada
Matt Miller
Member
Northeast Nutrition Inc.
News & Releases
SUPPORT ADVOCACY FOR YOUR INDUSTRY — BECOME A
MEMBER
As the only association focused solely on salmonid farming in Atlantic Canada, the ACFFA can help you stay current on industry happenings, expand your network as well as promote and protect your interests.
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