Within Canada, the federal Pilotage Act dictates the provision of pilotage services. The Pilotage Act is part of the larger Canada Marine Act and requires the maintenance of four separate Pilotage Authorities; the Atlantic, St. Lawrence, Great Lakes and Pacific Pilotage Authority. Each Authority is mandated to provide a "safe and efficient" pilotage service for the area under its control and may do so by hiring employee Pilots or by contracting with a private company for the services of marine Pilots. There are currently over 400 marine Pilots in Canada spread amongst 10 distinct groups. In British Columbia, the Pacific Pilotage Authority employs 8 Fraser River Pilots for pilotage duties in the Fraser River and has a contract for services with The British Columbia Coast Pilots Ltd. for the entire coastline.