Saguenay-Saint Lawrence Marine Park

Saguenay–Saint-Laurent Marine Park (French: Parc marin du Saguenay–Saint-Laurent) is a national marine conservation area located in a section of the seabed of the St. Lawrence and Saguenay rivers, in Quebec. This park is internationally recognized for the observation of marine mammals.

This marine protected area is managed jointly by the Société des establishments de plein air du Québec (SEPAQ) and by Parks Canada.

Understand
The mission of this marine park is to increase, for the benefit of present and future generations, the level of protection of its ecosystems for conservation purposes, while promoting educational, recreational and scientific activities.

History
The Saguenay-Saint-Laurent Marine Park protects an area of the St. Lawrence River and the Saguenay River where animal and plant diversity is exceptional according to marine ecosystem specialists. This diversity refers to a broad spectrum covering more than 2,000 wild species, both microscopic algae and the blue whale. Annually, thousands of whales, seals and seabirds travel thousands of kilometres to come and feed in this sector. Migratory marine species and resident species, such as the St. Lawrence beluga, are attracted by these oceanic conditions which favour the marine food chain because food is abundant there. The territory of this park generally covers the critical habitat of the St. Lawrence beluga.

Geography
The Saguenay – Saint-Laurent Marine Park is located entirely in a marine area on the northern half of the St. Lawrence River, between Gros cap à l'Aigle at La Malbaie (MRC de Charlevoix-Est) and upstream from Pointe Rouge to Les Escoumins (MRC La Haute-Côte-Nord), as well as on the lower course of the Saguenay River, between Sainte-Rose-du-Nord (downstream from Cap de East) and Tadoussac. This park is adjacent by its land portion to Fjord-du-Saguenay National Park and Estuary Islands National Wildlife Area.

The law constituting the creation of the marine park was adopted in 1997 by the Government of Quebec, providing for a marine territory.

Marine ecosystems
This marine park has three ecosystems that stand out as hydrographic and oceanographic divisions: the middle estuary, the lower estuary and the Saguenay fjord. Ecosystems are interrelated because the various species migrate from one area to another.

History
Humans have frequented the shores of the St.Lawrence for about 8,000 years because numerous artefacts bear witness to their passage and their life. These natives hunted marine species including seals at Cap Bon-Désir. They were engaged in trade. The inhabitants of New France continued this hunting practice.

In 1988, under the chairmanship of Father Rosaire Corbin, a “Coalition for the creation of the Saguenay-Saint-Laurent marine park” was formed, bringing together 27 regional organizations. Also in 1988, the International Forum for the Future of the Beluga brought together the actors who proposed the creation of the marine park in order to promote the recovery of this threatened population.

By car
The park is accessible via route 138 from Quebec City or Baie-Comeau and by routes 170 (south shore of Saguenay) and 172 (north shore of Saguenay) to from the city of Saguenay. Observation from the shore is favorable in many areas considering that the marine relief has sufficient depth near the coast to allow mannifers to frolic easily.

By boat
The marine park area is navigable with light boats (sea kayaks, sea canoes), pleasure craft (sailboats, motor boats) or boats serving groups (e.g. zodiacs) served by excursionists, and even cruise ships offering a range of services, activities and discoveries of the region. Regulations have been established on how to move around this reserved area and how to behave with regard to marine mammals.

By air
The observation of marine mannifers can be done by air: drone, helicopter, plane.

See
Nine species of marine mammals regularly frequent the park, two of which, the harbour seal and the beluga, reside year round. The other seven species are the grey seal, harp seal, harbour porpoise, minke whale, fin whale, blue whale, and humpback whale. The latter are present during the summer season.

Marine mammals can migrate daily (or seasonally) from one marine area to another. Thus, their marine habitat is vast, which can complicate their observation by humans who love marine animals.

Whale watching cruise ship
According to the outfitters, whale watching cruises on a cruise ship can offer a variety of services, activities and attractions. Some outfitters offer:
 * ascending the Saguenay fjord and observing the landscapes along the river (eg: in autumn when the leaves of the trees are in colour, the cliffs, the islands, the rocks, the lighthouses, the docks),
 * observation of winged and marine fauna,
 * an animation with experienced guides (interpretation of nature, history).

The main points of departure for this type of cruise are: Port of Quebec, Quai de Baie Sainte-Catherine, and Quai de Tadoussac.