Saguenay-St. Lawrence Marine Park

To protect the marine environment, which provides a habitat for whales.

Species of Concern: minke whale, beluga whale

Restrictions

1. All forms of prospection, use of resources for mining and energy production, pipelines and cables for energy transport is prohibited (Loi sur le parc marin du Saguenay-Saint-Laurent du Quebec)
2. It is prohibited for any person to operate a marine tour business, a cruise ship or a shuttle service in the park unless the person is a permit holder in respect of that business or service or is authorized in writing by the permit holder to do so on their behalf.
3. It is prohibited for any person to conduct scientific research or to hold a special activity in the park unless the person is a permit holder in respect of that research or activity or is authorized in writing by the permit holder to do so on their behalf.
4. Prohibited Conduct and Controlled Activities apply to prevent disturbance of marine mammals.
5. No person shall engage in behaviour in the park that may kill or injure a marine mammal or cause the disturbance of a marine mammal. Disturbance of a marine mammal includes, but is not limited to, the following activities
(a) feeding or touching a marine mammal;
(b) entering the water with the intention of swimming or otherwise interacting with marine mammals;
(c) playing whale songs or calls, or making any other noise that may resemble whale songs or calls, under water;
(d) separating members of a group of marine mammals or going between an adult marine mammal and its calf;
(e) trapping a cetacean or group of cetaceans between a vessel and the shore or between a vessel and other vessels; and
(f) any undue interruption, alteration or disruption of the normal behaviour of a marine mammal, in particular its social, swimming, breathing, diving, resting, feeding, nursing or reproductive behaviour.
6. The operator of a vessel that is involved in an incident in which a marine mammal is killed or injured or that collides with a marine mammal shall report the incident immediately to a park warden or an enforcement officer
7. Temporary Exclusion Areas may be established to restrict access. An area closure is in place from June 21 to September 21 in Baie Sainte-Marguerite to protect beluga whales.
8. It is prohibited, in the park, (a) to use a personal watercraft, as defined in subsection 1(1) of the Small Vessel Regulations; (b) to use an air cushion vehicle; (c) to conduct a water sport activity using a vessel or any other motorized system as a method of traction; or (d) to offer any commercial services related to hunting migratory birds.
9. Various distance requirements restrict approaching marine mammals according to the status of the species. For example, the operator of a vessel shall maintain a minimum distance of 400 m between the vessel and any marine mammal of a species or of a population of a species that is listed in any of Parts 1 to 3 of Schedule 1 to the Species at Risk Act.
10. Concentration of Vessels around whales is restricted.
11. It is prohibited for any pilot to fly an aircraft over the park at an altitude of less than 609.6 m (2,000 feet) from the surface of the water or take off from or land in the park unless the person is the holder of a special activity permit authorizing this activity.
12. Speed Limits apply (ex: 25 knots throughout the protected area, in specific areas as well as around whales) and manœuvres are restricted.
13. Duration of vessel presence is restricted in whale observation areas.
14. Prohibition to undertake commercial whale watching in the beluga conservation area in the upper St. Lawrence Estuary portion of the Marine Park though permit conditions.

Allowed

Fishing is managed by Fisheries and Oceans and the Ministère de la Forêt, de la Faune et des Parcs. Recreational fishing is allowed in the Marine Park but seasonal closures and various species restrictions apply.