Fisheries patrols and surveillance
A fishing boat is seen from the onboard camera of a CP-140 Aurora long range patrol aircraft during an Operation Driftnet patrol. While the pictured vessel was not found to be engaged in illegal fishing practices, overflights like this help to deter illegal fishing practices.
The Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) supports Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) to help protect wild fish stocks. In this role, it uses:
- Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) ships; and
- Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) long-range patrol aircraft.
All CAF assets used on these missions carry DFO Fishery Officers.
The CAF helps DFO officials to enforce fishing regulations. It carries out separate operations to support DFO in both the Atlantic and the northern Pacific:
- Fisheries patrols (FISHPATS) in the Atlantic Ocean
- Operation DRIFTNET in the northern Pacific
The CAF also uses space-based sensor systems to help by providing a wide-area look at the North Pacific.
Related links
Government of Canada partners
International organizations
International missions
Pertinent documents
- Convention on Future Multilateral Cooperation in the Northwest Atlantic Fisheries
- United Nations General Assembly Resolution 44/225 December 22, 1989
- United Nations General Assembly Resolution 45/197 December 21, 1990
- United Nations General Assembly Resolution 46/215 December 20, 1991
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