Scientific Research

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Scientific research in Canada plays a key role in helping the aquaculture sector compete in global markets, while protecting aquatic ecosystems. Scientific advice provides the foundation for Canada’s federal and provincial governments to make informed decisions when developing public policy on aquaculture practices, regulations and environmental performance measures.

Fisheries and Oceans Canada has two science programs that, together, provide the basis for the department’s mandates for regulation and development of the aquaculture industry:

Aquaculture Collaborative Research and Development Program

The Aquaculture Collaborative Research and Development Program (ACRDP) is a Fisheries and Oceans Canada initiative to increase the level of collaborative research and development activity between the aquaculture industry and the department.

ACRDP is an industry-driven program that teams industry with DFO researchers.

Program for Aquaculture Regulatory Research

As part of the federal government's Budget 2008 investment in Sustainable Aquaculture Development, a new Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) internal research program was created to support priority aquaculture regulatory research.

The Program for Aquaculture Regulatory Research (PARR) supports short-term (1-2 year) research projects undertaken by DFO scientists that are focused on increasing the relevant science knowledge base to support and advise informed DFO ecosystem-based environmental regulation and decision making with regards to the aquaculture sector.