Share this article Share this article ST. JOHN'S, NL, Feb. 19, 2021 /CNW/ - Fishery officers require state-of-the-art aerial surveillance equipment to continue the important work they conduct protecting Canada's marine resources, ensuring compliance with fisheries management measures and enforcing the Fisheries Act from coast to coast to coast. The first of Fisheries and Oceans Canada’s long-range maritime patrol aircraft—the Dash-8—becomes operational. Photo credit: PAL Aerospace (CNW Group/Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) Canada) In 2019, Fisheries and Oceans Canada announced a five-year, $128 million contract with PAL Aerospace-located in St. John's, to deliver a new fleet of four aerial surveillance aircrafts, including two long-range maritime patrol aircrafts. When operational, the planes will fly out of three bases of operation: St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador; Halifax, Nova Scotia; and a brand new facility in Campbell River, British Columbia.