Canada's Seafood Farmers Push for Policy Overhaul to Unlock Growth

OTTAWA, ON – March 31, 2026 – Canada’s seafood farmers are making a concerted push for sweeping policy reforms, arguing that a failure to act is costing the country billions in economic growth and a leadership role in global food production. Ahead of a crucial Federal-Provincial-Territorial (FPT) Ministers' meeting in Halifax, a unified coalition of aquaculture associations is urging governments to fully integrate their sector into Canada's agricultural framework, a move they claim could awaken a dormant economic giant.

In a joint letter to federal and provincial ministers, the Canadian Aquaculture Industry Alliance (CAIA) and seven regional associations have laid out a “Grow Canada” approach. They contend that while global demand for high-quality protein soars and competing nations expand their output, Canada’s own aquaculture sector has been treading water for nearly two decades.

“Canada has everything it needs to be a global leader in aquaculture: resources, expertise and demand,” said Timothy Kennedy, President & CEO of CAIA, in a statement. “What we need now is a policy framework that enables growth. This is about growing Canada’s economy, growing our food system, and growing opportunity in coastal and rural communities.”

A Stalled Economic Engine

Globally, aquaculture is the fastest-expanding food production sector, having grown at an average rate of 6.7% per year between 1990 and 2020. Nations like Norway and Chile have capitalized on this trend, with Norway's industry boasting revenues over $10 billion in 2022 and Chile projecting its market to reach over $7 billion by 2030.

In stark contrast, Canada's sector has experienced what the industry describes as two decades of relative stagnation. While the sector is a significant contributor, generating over $2 billion in GDP and supporting more than 17,000 jobs, its production levels remain below their 2016 peak. In 2024, Canadian farmed seafood production was approximately 160,000 tonnes, a notable 20% lower than the 200,804 tonnes produced eight years prior. This performance has left Canada ranked 21st globally in aquaculture production volume in recent years, a modest position for a country with the world's longest coastline.

“While other countries are actively growing their sectors, Canada has remained largely flat for the past two decades while other nations are seizing this opportunity,” Kennedy noted. “With the right policy support, we can get back to being a global leader.”

The Policy Prescription for Growth

The industry's call to action coincides with ongoing consultations for Canada’s Next Policy Framework (NPF), a five-year agreement set to begin in 2028 that will guide government investment in the agri-food sector. The aquaculture coalition is lobbying for three specific changes to be embedded within this new framework, arguing they would level the playing field with traditional agriculture and unlock investment.

First, they seek full eligibility for all Federal Strategic Initiatives, such as the AgriInnovate program, which funds the commercialization and adoption of new technologies. Access to such programs, they argue, is critical for driving the innovation needed to improve productivity and sustainability.

Second, the group is calling for the removal of aquaculture from the list of ineligible activities under the Multilateral Framework Agreement. This arcane restriction currently prevents provincial governments from offering certain program support to their local aquaculture producers, creating an uneven landscape compared to other farming sectors.

Finally, the industry is requesting the development of a tailored Business Risk Management (BRM) program. A custom-designed program would help seafood farmers manage unique operational risks like disease outbreaks and sudden environmental shifts, providing the financial stability necessary to attract capital and encourage long-term investment.

“Aquaculture is agriculture,” Kennedy added. “Recognizing that in policy is a simple step that can unlock significant economic and food system benefits for Canada.”

The Sustainability Equation

Central to the industry’s pitch is the claim that aquaculture offers one of the most sustainable and efficient ways to produce animal protein. Proponents point to its low environmental footprint compared to land-based livestock and its role in strengthening the broader agri-food value chain through its demand for Canadian-grown grains and oilseeds for feed.

However, the sector's environmental record remains a subject of intense debate and scrutiny. Environmental organizations like WWF Canada and the Sierra Club have long raised concerns about open net-pen salmon farming, citing risks of sea lice transfer to wild populations, potential for disease spread, and the impact of waste on local marine ecosystems.

These concerns have had significant policy implications. In a landmark decision, Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) recently announced a transition away from open net-pen salmon farming in British Columbia’s coastal waters by 2029, a move aimed at protecting dwindling wild Pacific salmon stocks. The decision, which restricts future licenses to closed-containment systems, has been praised by environmental advocates but decried by industry as a blow to rural economies and a disregard for scientific evidence they say supports the safety of modern farming practices.

This ongoing tension highlights the critical balance governments must strike. While the industry is developing innovative practices like Integrated Multi-Trophic Aquaculture (IMTA)—where multiple species are farmed together to create a more balanced ecosystem—and pursuing certifications like the Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC), public and scientific concern over its environmental impact remains a formidable challenge to its growth ambitions.

A Unified Push for a National Vision

The coordinated appeal from aquaculture associations spanning from British Columbia to Atlantic Canada signals a unified front aimed at influencing a pivotal moment in Canadian agricultural policy. The outcome of the NPF negotiations will determine whether the sector gains the tools it believes are necessary to compete on the world stage or continues to operate under a patchwork of regulations that has constrained its potential.

The debate also involves complex consultations with Indigenous communities, some of which have forged economic partnerships with aquaculture operations, while others staunchly oppose them due to their potential impact on culturally vital wild salmon. As federal and provincial ministers prepare to meet, they face a decision that will shape the future of Canada's coastlines, its food system, and its place in the rapidly growing global seafood market.