Poachers beware! The Department of Fisheries and Oceans Canada has a new tool, and they will be using it to preserve the marine ecosystems of the beautiful B.C. coast.

The new Fisheries Aerial Surveillance and Enforcement Dash-8 plane arrived at its new home at the Campbell River Airport on July 21, and has been flying almost every day since.

The Beechcraft Super King Air plane which served the purpose beforehand is being replaced by a larger craft with top-of-the-line radar, photo, and video technology.

Local detachment commander Joe Knight said the old plane could fly for about four hours in a row.

B次元官网网址淭his thing can go for eight-to-nine hours in the air,B次元官网网址� he said, B次元官网网址淪o it gives us a way bigger range on the coat. We can go way off shore, and donB次元官网网址檛 have to refuel.B次元官网网址�

Knight, only half joking, noted how pleased some of the fishery officers were about the new plane having a washroom.

B次元官网网址淭he flyers really appreciate that a lot,B次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 just a lot more comfortable plane with a bigger range and capacity to more.

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Acting Regional Director Nicole Gallant was excited to speak about the Dash-8.

B次元官网网址淚t will help make sure that our fisheries management measures and the Fisheries Act and regulations are being adhered to,B次元官网网址� she said.

B次元官网网址淭his is going to help us to protect the resource, and make sure that species like salmon, Southern Resident killer whalesB次元官网网址� and other species are being protected. ItB次元官网网址檚 a critical role that fishery officers play, and this plane will be one of the tools that we will be adding to our fleet.B次元官网网址�

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