The Acadia Centre for Estuarine Research (ACER) was established in 1985 at Acadia University. Initial funds were provided by the Secretary of State under the Centres of Specialization Fund. ACER is a separate research unit within the Faculty of Pure and Applied Science at Acadia University.
The primary objective of the Centre is to focus research attention on estuaries and nearshore coastal waters. Although the centre has been involved in research projects in numerous areas of the world, its main research emphasis has been on the estuarine systems of the Bay of Fundy and the hydrographically-related Gulf of Maine and Georges Bank. The Centre actively encourages cooperative, multidisciplinary research programs that involve scientists and students from different disciplines and different institutions–regional, national, and international. Projects carried out by the Centre may involve any individuals from other academic units, working in collaboration, and often utilize the talents of research scientists at other institutions, both university and government.