Sharing the waters with Belugas

Saguenay–St. Lawrence Marine Park, established in 1998, was created in part to help protect marine wildlife – especially threatened whales, including the world’s most southerly population of beluga whales. Among other features, the park provides essential habitat – sheltered bays and rich estuaries – for migratory whales to feed and for beluga to give birth and care for their newborn calves. But industry, recreation and other human activity in this open marine environment can cause problems for beluga and other whales, which are sensitive to disruption in their environment, especially during vital activities like feeding and resting. As co-manager of the marine park, Parks Canada is working with local communities, a number of partners, and park users to protect the marine environment to ensure that it is used sustainably. The goal is to provide a calmer environment—a major challenge that needs to be solved to protect this critical habitat in order to restore the St. Lawrence Beluga population and to protect the migratory whale feeding area.