| WCPA-Marine/WWF MPA Management Effectiveness Initiative | |
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Locator map
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Site map
 Click on map for larger view |
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| Site Overview | ||||
General description of site: The Saguenay–St. Lawrence Marine Park (Canada) is located nearly 1,000 km from the Atlantic coast, at the confluence of two major water bodies : the St. Lawrence Estuary and the Saguenay Fjord, one of the longest in the world. The vast quantities of water carried seaward by the St. Lawrence River are subjected to daily tides of more than 5 m and to strong upwellings of glacial nutrient rich water. This dynamic system supports high concentrations of krill that are the basis of a food web including a host of baleen whales, fodder fish species, beluga whales, seals and sea birds. This natural setting is also an historical crossroads, now home to more than 128 000 people, including the First Nations community of Essipit. Main economic activities are now oriented towards industries, agriculture, forest and tourism. The creation of the park has seen a rapid expansion of tourist activities including whalewatching, both from the shore and on boats, kayak, diving, sailing, etc.
Date of establishment: A federal/provincial agreement in 1990 initiated the establishment process. The two Acts creating Saguenay–St. Lawrence marine park came into force on June 8th 1998. Area (Km2): 1,138 km2 Size of site (S <= 20Km2; M = 20 - 2000Km2; L >= 2000Km2): medium Ecosystem type/main ecological features:
Description of special resources; important ecological features; reason for establishing a protected area: The main reason for the establishment of the SSLMP was the protection of a severely depleted and endangered disjunct population of beluga whales, now numbering fewer than 1,000. In addition to the resident beluga, the area is a major summer feeding ground for a host of visiting whales species migrating from the Northern Atlantic. Fin, minke, blue and, more rarely, humpback whales all converge on this area to feast on the high concentrations of krill found in the nutrient-rich waters. Other fodder species, like herring, capelin or smelt, are sought after by harbour seals, grey seals and, during winter, Greenland seals. Large numbers of aquatic birds nest on the islands during the summer (eider ducks, cormorants, sea gulls, razorbills). In fall or winter, vast quantities of migrating birds gather in the park to overwinter (black ducks, buffleheads and close to 50% of the total Eastern North America population of Barrow÷s Goldeneye). The glacial waters of the upper basin of the Saguenay Fjord, over 270 m deep, harbor communities of arctic affinity, with ten species of disjunct populations of arctic fish species as well as numerous arctic invertebrates. Cultural landmarks include over 15 archeological sites along the shores as well as a few 18th - 20th century shipwrecks. |
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| Location Information | ||||
Geographic coordinates (lat/long): 47° 39' - 48° 23' N 69° 17' - 70° 42' W |
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| Goals and Accomplishments | ||||
Goals and objectives of MPA:
Site accomplishments to date:
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| Site Management | ||||
Management objective: multiple use Type of management structure: Conventional - codirected by two government bodies (federal and provincial) Challenges of site management:
Does a managment plan exist? Yes. The plan was adopted in 1998 and it is scheduled to be revised by 2005. Summary of main aspects of managment plan:
Main stakeholders involved:
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Other Site Evaulations and Research |
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Description of any other site evaulations to date: Ongoing monitoring by various government agencies and scientific institutions (water masses characteristics, beluga whale number and tissue contamination, monitoring of whalewatching boats, mollusc contamination, ice fishing, etc.). Socioeconomic studies dealing with : site frequentation, notoriety of the park, visitors profile, visitors opinion of whalewatching tours, etc. Listing of current/recent research activities:
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| Contact Information and Web Links | ||||
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Main Contact(s) Information: Other Contact Information:
Link to pilot site Web page: Parks Canada (web site being redesigned):
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For inquiries: mei_contact@noaa.gov |
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