Stan’s the man in Atlantic Canada spotlight

Stan McGrattan, an aquaculture professional whose career dates back to Atlantic Canada’s first Salmonid Demonstration and Development Farm nearly four decades ago, is the recipient of the 2022 Atlantic Canada Aquaculture Award.

The award was presented to McGrattan at the Atlantic Canada Fish Farmers Association (ACFFA) Annual Science, Research and Technology Forum in St Andrews, New Brunswick.

“Stan McGrattan’s leadership in the development and implementation of best farming practices and innovations has been crucial to the evolution and continued sustainable growth of our industry in Atlantic Canada,” said ACFFA chair Tom Taylor.

“Over his 36-year career in aquaculture, Stan has played a vital role in transforming the vision of a few entrepreneurs into the vibrant and successful industry we have today in our region.”

Moved from construction

McGrattan began his career in construction but saw an opportunity in 1986 to get involved with New Brunswick’s newly developing aquaculture industry. He became the technical supervisor overseeing the establishment of the Salmonid Demonstration and Development Farm, a collaborative project with the federal Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) that conducted trials crucial to the growth of the fish farm sector.

He went on to work for 23 years at Aqua Fish Farms as site manager, area manager and production manager. In 2009, Cooke Aquaculture purchased Aqua Fish Farms and McGrattan became area manager for Cooke New Brunswick. In 2012, he became corporate feed and treatment manager for Cooke North America, a job he held until retiring in May of 2022.

“Stan has an extraordinary ability to lead and support his colleagues,” said Taylor. “His problem-solving approach in the management of feeding programs and data entry design, and his collaborative management with fish health veterinarians and biologists have been key to his company’s success and to the success of the entire sector in Atlantic Canada.

“For his highly valued contributions over an extensive career, he is truly deserving of this prestigious Atlantic Canada Aquaculture Award.”

Proud to join an elite group

ACFFA established the Atlantic Canada Aquaculture Award in 2017. It honours an industry professional who has dedicated 25 years or more in the areas of science, environment and technology in support of the sustainable development of salmon aquaculture in Atlantic Canada. Previous recipients include Gary Taylor (Skretting); Alan Donkin (Northeast Nutrition); Leighanne Hawkins (Cooke Aquaculture); and Betty House, ACFFA science and technology coordinator.

“When I was asked if I would let my name stand for this award, I felt quite humbled,” said McGrattan during his acceptance speech. “I thought there have to be a lot more people who have done as much or more than I have for this sector. Then I thought about the people who have gotten this award and I thought, ‘Man, I’d like to join that group’.

“Thank you for the award. I really appreciate it.”

Approximately 135 salmon farmers, industry stakeholders, scientists, researchers, provincial and federal government representatives, and community members attended the forum in-person and virtually.

Women of Salmon Farming

This year’s event was held in conjunction with a Women of Salmon Farming Symposium, a first-of-its-kind event in Atlantic Canada aimed at harnessing opportunities for women and improving gender equity in the region’s salmon farming sector.

Participants reviewed the high-level insights from ACFFA’s new study: Gender-Based Opportunities and Challenges in Salmonid Farming in Atlantic Canada which examines gender equity throughout Atlantic Canada’s salmon farming value chain. The symposium included interactive discussions with participants whose feedback will be incorporated into ACFFA’s final report.

“We had such insightful and invigorating discussions on how to bring more women into our sector and more equity to our industry,” said ACFFA executive director Susan Farquharson. “Those conversations will lead to concrete steps we can take as an association and as an industry to address labour challenges and help close the equity gap so we can continue to play our important role in global food security.”

A charity casino held during the event’s gala dinner raised $2,500 to initiate an ACFFA Women in Aquaculture Student Grant which will be awarded in 2023 to a woman from Atlantic Canada who is training in fish health.