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.

Facilities
The Centre is located is located in the west wing of the War Memorial House and includes a large modern laboratory; a library containing journals, books, and other reference materials; a seminar/conference room; a computer terminal room; and research offices. The Centre owns or has access to various types of equipment, including zodiacs and motors, an air-cushioned vehicle capable of traveling over mudflats, a large variety of standard oceanographic sampling equipment, numerous types of data loggers including multiprove sondes, and a state of the art mesocosm capable of replicating a tidal mudflat. In cooperation with sedimentologists at the Atlantic Geoscience Centre, Bedford Institute of Oceanography, ACER has developed instruments for in situ measurement of sediment properties. These include Sea Carousel, a benthic annual flume, and INSIST, a field shear tester.

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