The Atlantic Canada Fish Farmers Association (ACFFA) will host the event Women of Salmon Farming Symposium. The event will highlight opportunities for women and improve gender equity in Atlantic Canada's salmon farming sector.
ACFFA confirmed the event organization relies also on ACFFA's annual Research, Science and Technology Forum. It will be held in St. Andrews NB on October 25-27, 2022.
In addition, ACFFA will release the study 'Gender-Based Opportunities and Challenges in Salmonid Farming in Atlantic Canada'. This examines gender equity throughout Atlantic Canada's salmon farming value chain.
In more detail, Susan Farquharson, Executive Director of the Atlantic Canada Fish Farmers Association explained: "The study is basically a 'state of the nation' on gender equity in salmon farming in Atlantic Canada. Symposium will bring men and women together to discuss the opportunities for women in the salmon farming sector. Also, the steps needed to bring more gender equity to our industry."
According to Farquharson, Atlantic Canada "leads" the country in overall gender parity in the sector. However, the report found that more progress is needed to improve female participation and close the pay equity gap.
Despite the report won't be released until the fall, Farquharson confirmed it shows that salmon farming sector compares similarly to other animal protein-producing industries when it comes to overall gender parity.
"I encourage anyone who works in our sector, especially those who may not have participated in our Fall Forum in the past, to attend either in person or virtually. Voices from every part of our sector are needed. For a fulsome and productive discussion that will lead to actionable recommendations in this area," she concluded.