The Saguenay–St. Lawrence Marine Park is a National Marine Conservation Area, one of three in the Canadian national park system, located where the Saguenay River meets the maritime estuary of the St. Lawrence River. This park is jointly managed by Parks Canada (Government of Canada) and Sépaq (Government of Quebec). The most popular activity in the park is whale-watching. The park provides a variety of opportunities on and off the water for visitors to see them. There are several human impacts that threaten the park such as climate change, noise pollution, chemical pollution, and overfishing, many of which are not fully understood.

History

The Saguenay-Lac-St-Jean region and surrounding areas are home to a rich and important part of Canadian history. The land has long hosted an abundance of natural resources such as fish, game, and berries, that played a large role in the survival of nomadic populations for generations. Trade between the Indigenous peoples of the region and Basque fisherman can be traced back as early as 1580. According to the Saguenay–St. Lawrence Marine Park Management Plan (2010), over 1,000 species of flora and fauna have been estimated to live there. harbour porpoise, harbour seal, and the grey seal. Zooplankton is also abundant in this area. Additionally, the islands of the estuary are recognized as crucial locations for various bird species to nest. Since then, the population has been decreasing at around a rate of 1% each year. The water is high salinity-wise, but good circulation in this area mixes it well with freshwater. Mammals such as whales frequent the region due to its depth and supply of nutrients. Despite the fjord being rich in nutrients, it is the least stable region, with its health considered unstable. There was no transfer of land, so each government continues to act within the scope of their jurisdictions within the park. The management plan emphasized the importance of public consultation and participation, especially the participation of Indigenous peoples, is crucial to the park's success. One major concern of the park is that the rising temperatures as a result of climate change are correlated with sea ice melt. Sea ice conditions were monitored from 1994 to 2008 in a study examining the entire St.Lawrence ecosystem, which includes the marine park. As traffic in the Saguenay St. Lawrence Marine Park increases, there is a worry about the effects this could have on whales. Beluga whales are a central part of tourism in the park, and it has been known as one of the best locations to go whale watching. Shorelines of surrounding rivers lack industrial, agricultural, or even urban development which has led to a multitude of negative side effects. These side effects occur in areas of neuroendocrine, DNA damage, immunocompetence and increased energy expenses. There are many opportunities for visitors, with the most popular activity being whale watching. Visitors can be right on the water through cruises, sea kayaking, boating, or scuba diving. Common tourist attractions such as museums, hiking, and more opportunities for whale-watching are available.

See also

  • Île aux Lièvres (Saint Lawrence River)
  • List of Quebec national parks
  • List of national parks of Canada
  • Saguenay, Québec

References

  • Official site of Saguenay–St. Lawrence Marine Park
  • Saguenay–St. Lawrence Marine Park at Parks Canada