Aquaculture Drives Food Security as NL Sector Generates USD 453 Million in 2025

By: NAIA

With its Cold Harvest Conference & Trade Show just weeks away, the Newfoundland and Labrador Aquaculture Industry Association (NAIA) is releasing 2025 figures that highlight the sector’s growing contribution to food security in the province.

According to the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador, the aquaculture industry generated a farmgate value of USD 453 million in 2025, representing nearly 40% of the total value of all seafood produced in the province. This level of production supports rural employment, strengthens local processors and transport companies, and provides year-round economic activity in coastal communities.

NAIA Executive Director Bradley George said the results reinforce aquaculture’s importance to the province’s food-security goals. “These numbers show that aquaculture is a major contributor to that conversation,” George said. “Our sector provides healthy, sustainable food while supporting economic growth and stability in coastal communities across the province.” He added that as demand for reliable, nutritious protein continues to grow, aquaculture is becoming a central pillar in ensuring Newfoundland and Labrador can meet its long-term food-security needs.

Cold Harvest Conference & Trade Show

NAIA is partnering with Aquaculture Association of Canada to host the Cold Harvest Conference & Trade Show from September 15–17 at the Jag Hotel in St. John’s. It will bring together industry, government, academia, and technology leaders to explore innovation, science, and the future of seafood farming in Newfoundland and Labrador. The program will feature technical sessions, keynotes, panels, and a trade show spanning the full aquaculture value chain, with delegates expected from across Canada, the United States, Europe, and New Zealand. Registration is open at www.naia.ca.