— December 19, 2024 —
Susan has been a steadfast advocate for Atlantic Canada’s finfish farming sector, emphasizing the importance of sustainable ocean farming to feed a growing population and drive economic prosperity in coastal communities.
“We are sad to see her go. Under Susan’s collaborative leadership, strategic vision, and tireless effort, our Association and its members have flourished,” said Tom Taylor, Chair of ACFFA. “We extend our heartfelt gratitude for her unwavering support and guidance and wish her every success in her future endeavors.”
Susan came to ACFFA in 2015 after holding the Executive Director position at the Canadian Rivers Institute at the University of New Brunswick. With an MA in Environment and Management, she’s a PMP-certified project manager and a graduate of prestigious leadership programs, including UC Berkeley’s Beahrs Environmental Leadership. Her thirty-year career reflects a passion for environmental stewardship, collaboration, and innovative solutions in resource management and aquaculture.
Under her leadership, ACFFA has expanded its membership, increased its communications capabilities, launched a successful community outreach program, upgraded its wharf security and capabilities and maintained strong relationships with community, government and industry stakeholders. She has led four successful trade missions to AquaNor and nine Atlantic teams to Seafood Expo North America in Boston. During her tenure, ACFFA earned the 2nd Governors Excellence Award as well as the Gulf of Maine Council on the Marine Environment 2023 Industry Award for innovation and leadership in improving the Gulf of Maine ecosystem and its communities.
Susan’s tenure also saw the industry reaching and maintaining an 81% public approval rate in Atlantic Canada and help grow the groundbreaking Fundy Salmon Recovery partnership, which has achieved the highest returns of inner Bay of Fundy wild Atlantic salmon in 20 years. Additionally, she was instrumental in bringing The Responsible Seafood Conference to Saint John, New Brunswick, in fall 2023, and hosting the first-ever ‘Women of Salmon Farming Symposium,’ which aimed to improve gender equity in the sector.
“My time at ACFFA has been immensely rewarding and I am incredibly proud of the work the ACFFA team has done on behalf of our members and the sector,” says Farquharson. “As climate change accelerates and strains natural resources and food production at unprecedented speed, aquaculture offers a sustainable, efficient solution to produce healthy food while reducing pressures on wild stocks. I’m confident ACFFA’s vital work will thrive under new leadership.”
The ACFFA Board of Directors will conduct an Executive search to identify the new Executive Director. In the interim period, Susan will remain as the Executive Director of the organization and will assist in the Executive Director transition.
The Atlantic Canada Fish Farmer Association is the only finfish focused industry funded association in Atlantic Canada. Its members – farmers, feed producers, and service support organizations – represent an industry that contributes billions to the Atlantic Canadian economy through research-intensive, environmentally and commercially responsible aquaculture. ACFFA operates a private marine tidal wharf facility to service its members and organizes Atlantic Canada’s annual aquaculture research conference that brings together industry professionals to learn about the latest trends, opportunities, innovations and research in our sector. ACFFA, formerly known as the New Brunswick Salmon Growers’ Association (NBSGA), has represented salmon farmers since 1987.
