Aquaculture activities can result in environmental and ecological impacts. Impacts associated with aquaculture inputs (e.g., organic matter, trace metals, drugs, pesticides) and depletions (e.g., phytoplankton and zooplankton) are better characterized near and within aquaculture lease areas but less is known about the impacts outside of the lease area. Fisheries and Oceans Canada initiated the Aquaculture Monitoring Program (AMP) in 2017 to conduct long-term monitoring outside of aquaculture lease areas. AMP includes data collection, sampling, and analysis with the objective to detect, monitor, and model aquaculture-related changes to the benthic and pelagic environment near select coastal aquaculture locations. Parameters measured include sediment grain size, organic matter, trace metals, sulfides, infauna communities, drugs, seston, phytoplankton, and zooplankton. A national database is being developed to store data from sampling activities. Information from this program is being used to support research initiatives and will be used to inform decision making. AMP has focused on the development of nationally consistent methods for sample collection, sample analysis, and statistical design and is now progressing toward the establishment of consistent long-term data collection and monitoring.