NATIONAL AERIAL SURVEILLANCE PROGRAM

Transport Canada's National Aerial Surveillance Program is one of the principal methods for detecting pollution from ships in waters under Canadian jurisdiction. Evidence gathered through the program is used by Transport Canada to enforce the Pollution Prevention Regulations of the Canada Shipping Act and other related legislation. When pollution is detected, charges may be laid under the Canada Shipping Act.

The program's objective is to maintain and improve the effectiveness of aerial surveillance, particularly off the East Coast of Canada where the illegal discharge of pollution from ships has generated significant concern for the marine environment.

The primary means of conducting marine pollution aerial surveillance off Canada's East Coast is through a Dash 8 aircraft owned by Transport Canada and located in Moncton, New Brunswick. The extended range of the Dash 8 allows combined missions over the busier and more vulnerable commercial shipping lanes off Nova Scotia and Newfoundland and Labrador.

In addition to the Dash 8 flights, and to further enhance the efficiency of pollution patrols, Transport Canada is increasing its use of Radarsat as an early warning system. Radarsat is a satellite-based surveillance system that detects surface anomalies, such as oil slicks, which could indicate an oil spill, but must be verified on the ground. Increasingly, pollution patrols are being timed to coincide with the detection of such surface anomalies by the Radarsat system.

Through an agreement with Provincial Airlines Limited (PAL), Transport Canada also uses PAL aircraft for pollution patrols as required or for on-site verification of Radarsat detections.

Transport Canada is committed to continuously enhancing the protection of our marine environment from ship-source pollution through the National Aerial Surveillance Program and other initiatives.

December 2004