Consult the archives of other years.2002 Archives
19 December 2002 Canada adopts the Species at Risk ActThe Species at Risk Act received Royal Assent on December 12, bringing to a close a nine-year legislative process. This new Act will come into force in 2003 with the adoption of an order in council. Until then, the Government of Canada will develop the regulations required under the Act. The Species at Risk Act will provide for better protection of species at risk and their habitats. Species will be assessed through a scientific evaluation process independent of the federal government. Emphasis will be put on the elaboration of recovery plans. This Act is one element of the government’s Strategy for the Protection of Species at Risk along with programs like the Habitat Stewardship Program, which finances conservation projects (45 million dollars over five years). Ten whale species are on Canada’s species at risk list: the bowhead whale, the right whale, the beluga whale, the killer whale, the blue whale, the humpback whale, the fin whale, the harbour porpoise, the northern bottlenose whale and Sowerby’s beaked whale. [Environment Canada] I want to know more Environment Canada News Release: Species at Risk Act Given Royal Assent 5 December 2002 The Quebec government announces its Water PolicyOn November 26, the Minister of State for Municipal Affairs and Greater Montreal, the Environment and Water, André Boisclair, presented the Quebec Water Policy. The main issues surrounding this policy are the recognition of water as the collective heritage of Quebecers, the protection of public health and aquatic ecosystems and the integrated management of water with a view to sustainable development. The five policy orientations are as follows:
In concrete terms, two actions are of particular importance. First, the government will put in place a system of fees for water use. This system will target withdrawal and disposal of water based on user-pays or polluter-pays principles. Money collected in this manner will go to a provincial fund to finance the restoration and protection of water and aquatic ecosystems. This system of charges will not apply to citizens, as they already contribute through their municipal taxes. Second, the Quebec government will apply an integrated watershed-based management strategy to 33 waterways. This territorial approach, as opposed to a sector-based approach, takes a comprehensive view of all activities and of their cumulative effects on a waterway. Watersheds will be managed by local organizations composed of players from various backgrounds, and citizens will also play an important role. [Environment Québec] I want to know more Coalition Eau secours! website (in French) 5 December 2002 Arctic Mission is backThe Arctic Mission is back. The crew of the sailing ship SEDNA travelled from Montreal to Vancouver, via the Arctic Ocean. The purpose of the trip was to produce scientific documentaries on climate change in the North in order to raise public awareness. The general public was able to follow the adventure on the Internet site of the Mission. Members of the crew state that this expedition was a success in every way. I want to know more Arctic Mission: a film expedition (6 June 2002) 28 November 2002 Seals: "blue backs" could be hunted once againCanada could allow young hooded seals, known as "blue backs", to be hunted after a 15-year hiatus. This hunt was banned in the 1980s. As with the hunt of white coats (young harp seals), images of hunters clubbing seals to death were broadcast in Europe and fuelled protests. The hunt of hooded seals takes place mainly in Newfoundland. Hunters want to regain the right to hunt the young seals before they lose their coats, which are more valuable than the coats of adult seals. Moulting takes place between the ages of 14 months and two years, at which time the beautiful blue-grey coat becomes spotted. The annual total allowable catch of hooded seals is set at 10 000. However only 150 hooded seals were killed this year due to the low value of their coats after the moult. The reopening of the hunt of blue backs is one of several proposals that will be presented to Fisheries and Oceans Minister Robert Thibault next month in preparation of the 2003 hunting season. The total population of hooded seals in the North West Atlantic is estimated at 650 000 animals. [ENS] I want to know more Documentary: Seals! On the rocks 14 November 2002 Association des biologistes du Québec conference: the importance of oceansThe 27th annual conference of the Association des biologistes du Québec (ABQ) will be held in Rimouski on November 14 and 15. The theme of the conference is: "The importance of oceans for the ecological and economic balance of the planet". Participants will be touching on the following subjects: the role of oceans, and in particular the Arctic Ocean, with respect to global climate change, human exploitation of the oceans (aquaculture and fishing), the health of ocean ecosystems, biodiversity and the new technical tools for the study of oceans. The St. Lawrence is also a topic: Émilien Pelletier, of the Institut des sciences de la mer of Rimouski will give an assessment of the health of the Estuary. Other presentations will deal with the ecosystems, the administration or the conservation of the maritime portion of the St. Lawrence. The conference will be presided over by Louis Legendre of the Laboratoire d’océanographie de Villefranche, France.[ABQ] I want to know more 31 October 2002 The effects of the July 1996 Saguenay area floods on the aquatic environmentThe torrential rains that fell on the Saguenay–Lac Saint-Jean region between July 19 and 21, 1996 resulted in major flooding. Swollen waterways scoured shorelines and widened riverbeds. Sediments were carried and deposited at the mouths of rivers and streams. As a result of flood damage to local infrastructures, chemicals were also transported downstream. These chemicals originated from industrial and municipal establishments, private residences and equipment such as transformers and gasoline reservoirs. After the flood, questions were raised concerning the condition of the water, sediments and fish. The Quebec Environment Ministry has just made available a report entitled L’effet des inondations de juillet 1996 sur les lacs et rivières de la région du Saguenay : contamination de l’eau, des sédiments et des poissons par les substances toxiques (Effects of the July 1996 flooding on the lakes and rivers of the Saguenay region: toxic substance contamination of the water, sediments and fish). According to this report, levels of mercury, PCBs, PAHs, dioxins and chlorinated furans in the rivers of the Saguenay region are comparable to levels found in other rivers in the province of Quebec situated in urban industrial zones. The new layer of sediment deposited at the mouths of rivers after the flood contains low levels of PCBs, PAHs and metals when compared to levels recorded before the flood. Studies carried out on brook trout and white suckers indicate high levels of mercury in certain lakes. In all, the flooding of the Saguenay region does not appear to have resulted in a rise in contaminant levels in the waterways and sediments that were affected. However, the very presence of toxic substances is a reminder of the importance of continued efforts to decontaminate industrial and household wastes.[Ministère de l'Environnement du Québec] I want to know more 17 October 2002 Symposium on coastal habitatsA symposium entitled "Coastal habitats… a universe to be discovered" was held in Tadoussac between October 9 and 11. It was organized by the North Shore of the Estuary ZIP Committee. This ZIP (priority intervention zone) covers the area situated between Tadoussac and Pointe-des-Monts. The symposium, presided over by Mr. Hubert Reeves, brought together 175 participants from various fields including government, community and university. There were three main objectives for the symposium. The first was to present the richness of coastal habitats. The second was to raise public awareness concerning the protection and highlighting of these habitats. The third was to encourage the establishment of a network for those in attendance in order to harmonize protection and highlighting efforts. As well as conferences, a debate and a brainstorming workshop were organized along with outings to visit the various habitats. The interactive activity entitled "La Grande Virée" (The Big Tour), presented actual cases of habitat protection and highlighting, protection and highlighting tools and statutes, and possible financing programmes that are available. The symposium was a great success. [The North Shore of the Estuary ZIP Committee] I want to know more The North Shore of the Estuary ZIP Committee site (in French) 26 September 2002 Widening of the St. Lawrence SeawayU.S. and Canadian governments want to conduct a study to evaluate the possibility of widening the St. Lawrence Seaway. Presently only 12% of the world’s shipping fleet can use it. The expansion project includes widening and updating the lock system and dredging channels to allow larger cargo vessels to pass through. The total cost would be between US$10 and US$15 billion. Environmental groups in Canada and the United States are against the project. They say that such an expansion would be devastating to the immense freshwater resource contained in the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence River system. They mention impacts on fish habitats, islands, water temperature and water levels in the Lakes. Also, dredging will call for the disposal of millions of tonnes of contaminated sediments, which will cause toxic substances to be put back into circulation in the ecosystem. There are also problems associated with increased ship traffic, such as the introduction of exotic species that travel in the holds of ships. According to some environmental groups, money for this project would be better spent restoring the Great Lakes. The study will evaluate the situation from economic, environmental and engineering standpoints. Those responsible for the study say that other options are also being considered. They may conclude that it is preferable to make smaller changes to the Seaway. They may even decide not to change anything. The study will take at least five years to conclude and cost US$20 million. [The Plain Dealer] I want to know more: U.S., Canada consider a study of wider seaway 5 September 2002 Entangled right whalesThe Group for Research and Education on Marine Mammals (GREMM) and the Maurice Lamontagne Institute (MLI) received several calls from Saint-Godefroi, in Chaleurs Bay, on August 24. A whale and its calf were seen near the end of the dock swimming in several metres of water. The adult, which was tangled up in a fishing net, was having difficulty swimming. Residents of Saint-Godefroi stayed with the animals for several hours before the Fisheries and Oceans Canada vessel Louisbourg arrived on the scene. Unfortunately the animals departed before the ship’s arrival. Initially identified as humpback whales, the troubled mammals turned out to be right whales, as seen in the pictures received this week. It is possible that this is the same cow/calf pair that was spotted earlier last month, also dragging fishing lines, near Miramichi, New Brunswick. In a similar scenario, the National Post informed us that on August 22, a team from Fisheries and Oceans attempted to free a right whale trapped in fishing gear. According to the director of the Center for Coastal Studies in Cape Cod, Massachusetts, no less than seven cases of right whales having difficulties associated with entanglement have been reported since the beginning of the year. It is possible that actual numbers are higher. The study of scars discovered on the backs of right whales has allowed researchers to determine that approximately 8 % of the population may be involved in this type of incident every year. Entanglement in fishing gear, along with ship strikes, make for a deadly combination. Together they are the cause of nearly half of all right whale fatalities. Right whales are threatened with extinction. When a whale gets caught in a net or in fishing gear, it either becomes immobilized or it swims off, dragging the lines in its wake. This situation can lead to breathing difficulties, feeding, swimming and reproduction problems, not to mention serious or even fatal injuries. In the United States, the Atlantic Large Whale Disentanglement Network documents cases of whales in trouble. The Center for Coastal Studies is the only group in the United States authorized to attempt rescue manoeuvres on right whales. They have developed a method to liberate marine mammals from ropes. Their method involves attaching buoys to the lines, increasing the whale’s buoyancy, thus preventing it from diving. When the animal is stabilized, the rescue team cuts the lines. For the moment there is no specialized team trained to intervene in this type of situation in the province of Quebec. However, Fisheries and Oceans officers, Parks Canada wardens and members of research teams working in these waters regularly attempt rescues. The GREMM organized a study group last May in Québec City to reunite all involved. Those present laid out the ethical and methodological framework for the creation of an intervention network for marine mammals in difficulty to be created in the spring of 2003. [Center for Coastal Studies] 29 August 2002 Whales in the spotlightDid you know that U2 was in the Charlevoix region last week? That Céline was tracked this summer? And that Captain Hook… is female? You would if you read Portrait de baleines each week! Now, don’t go thinking that this new weekly publication is just another gossip sheet! As a matter of fact its true vocation is as a new information tool for tour-boat captains and naturalists operating in the Saguenay–St. Lawrence Marine Park and surrounding area. Portrait de baleines sums up whale sightings in the Estuary and explains research that is underway, along with what actions are being taken to protect the whales of the St. Lawrence. Included are tips on how to make great observations or tips for naturalists who establish that crucial interface between whales and the general public. Portrait de baleines provides an active connection for those who are working together in the fields of conservation, research and whale watching to ensure the sustainable preservation of respectful whale watching activities. This chronicle is a GREMM initiative. The GREMM is a non-profit organization dedicated to education and research on the marine mammals of the St. Lawrence. The project is produced with the financial assistance of two whale-watching companies present in the Estuary; Croisières AML Cruises and Croisières Essipit, along with a non-governmental organization dedicated to the protection of cetaceans; the Whale and Dolphin Conservation Society, and a Canadian government programme that supports initiatives undertaken by citizens for the protection of endangered wildlife species; the Species at Risk Habitat Stewardship Programme. Copies de la Capitale, in Québec City, prints the chronicle for free. The Saguenay–St. Lawrence Marine Park produces regular special contributions. Every week the GREMM team depends on the captains and naturalists working in the field and various regional research groups for the information contained in Portrait de baleines. The bulletin is produced every Thursday of the St. Lawrence Estuary whale-watching season, through mid-October. It is hand-delivered to people working in the whale-watching industry and is posted in various areas associated with whale watching in the Estuary. Portrait de baleines is also of great interest to the general public. Those interested can consult the weekly bulletin on the Whales Online Internet site (in French only for 2002). Happy reading! [GREMM] 22 August 2002 The Prince Shoal lighthouse gets a faceliftThe Prince Shoal lighthouse has been watching over the mouth of the Saguenay River for nearly 40 years. This guardian angel has definitely earned the right to the $1.4 million treatment it is being given by the Department of Fisheries and Oceans Canada. The project consists of the reparation of structural and architectural components of the upper pillar. The slab of cement that serves as a helicopter-landing pad will also be rebuilt. The outer walls of the cylindrical portion of the pillar will be repaired and strengthened along with the railing. Supplemental mooring will also be laid. This work should take about eight weeks to complete. It was in 1860 that the Prince of Wales inadvertently christened the shoal when his boat ran aground on it. From 1871 to 1955 a light boat was anchored there to indicate the navigational hazard. This boat was replaced in 1964 by the pillar that was nicknamed "la Toupie" (the top) due to its spindle shape which was designed to resist the strong pressures of ice in winter. The pillar, which is anchored on the shoal, is 22 metres high. It was built in dry-dock in Lauzon and towed to the chosen site. A total of 2400 tonnes of rock and 24 000 bags of cement were used in its construction. On Christmas night, 1966, it proved its strength. The Toupie managed to withstand 100 km per hour winds and waves of over 14 metres in height. The three men stationed on the lighthouse at the time survived unscathed. The lighthouse was automated in 1987. As the Prince Shoal lighthouse is situated within the limits of the Saguenay–St. Lawrence Marine Park, it is doubly important that any environmental impacts be minimized. For this reason, all paint and construction residue will be recovered. A government inspector is present at all times on the construction site to supervise work methods. The helicopter that transports workers to and from the site every day must respect the Marine Activities in the Saguenay—St. Lawrence Marine Park Regulations, by maintaining a minimum altitude of 2000 feet (609.6 metres) as it flies to and from the lighthouse. These major renovations are one of several actions undertaken by the federal government to ensure the continued operation of the of navigational aid network that benefits the maritime St. Lawrence community. [Fisheries and Oceans Canada] 1 August 2002 An ocean protection strategyAs of July 12, Canada has put in place Canada’s Oceans Strategy to encourage the protection and the sustainable development of the country's estuarine, coastal and marine ecosystems. At a time when oceans are showing signs of over-exploitation and pollution, this strategy is presented by the Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) as the main reference for the elaboration of policies and regulations concerning oceans based on the legal principles of the Oceans Act, passed in 1997. But, how to adapt sustainable development to an ocean context? In reference to the Strategy, Minister Thibault stated that, "Our aim is to ensure that decisions about every activity in or around Canada’s oceans are cooperative, environmentally and economically sustainable, and socially responsible." In Quebec, this Strategy could reinforce integrated management initiatives already in place: four in the Gulf and one in the Estuary. As well, a project under way to create a Marine Protected Area in the Manicouagan Peninsula sector is a direct result of the Oceans Act from which the Canada's Ocean Strategy was elaborated. This project aims to bring together the various land use managers of the Peninsula to create a management plan aimed at the sustainable use of resources, thus profitting from the area while at the same time protecting it for present and future generations. As the three oceans that border Canada are as much the concern of the federal, provincial and territorial governments as they are of the First Nations and Canadians in general, the biggest challenges that the Minister faces will be to integrate the priorities of each and promote collaboration between all parties. [DFO] I want to know more: Thibault Announces Canada’s Oceans Strategy 4 July 2002 Cod: the moratorium 10 years later, still no recoveryIt was ten years ago last July 2 that the Canadian Government decreed a moratorium on cod fishing. The moratorium was originally to last only two years in order to allow cod stocks to recover. It is still in place and the expected recovery has not occurred. As it stands, all Northwest Atlantic species of groundfish (including cod, haddock, redfish, flounder and skate) are at risk. The total groundfish biomass has been reduced to approximately ten percent of what it was fifty years ago. In the 1960s, the Canadian Government reacted to signs of a decline in fish stocks by establishing a 200-mile limit off the Canadian coast, banning foreign fleets from fishing within this zone. The Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Organization (NAFO), an organization composed of representatives from Canada and some twenty other countries that fish these waters, established a set of rules to manage the groundfish fishery beyond the 200-mile limit. According to Canadian fisheries officers that patrol the area inspecting fishing vessels, not everyone respects the rules. Fisheries officer’s powers are limited to documenting NAFO rule violations. It is then left up to each government to establish appropriate sanctions. The result is that overfishing and the destruction of fish habitat by trawlers continue to threaten fish stocks that straddle the 200-mile limit. Last June, Department of Fisheries and Oceans Canada Minister Robert Thibault toured Europe. Part of his agenda was to convince various European fisheries ministers of the necessity to sustainably manage the fishery. Mr.Thibault maintains that NAFO rules are sufficient to ensure the conservation of Northwest Atlantic groundfish stocks. However, independent biologists, like Ransom Myers of Dalhousie University in Halifax, maintain that if nothing is done quickly to improve fisheries management outside the 200-mile limit, fish stocks will not recover. [CBC Television-The National, Fisheries and Oceans Canada] I want to know more: On Whales online: Mike Hammill: Are seals responsible for the collapse of cod fish stocks in the Gulf of St. Lawrence?Fisheries and Oceans Canada News Release: Thibault Presses European Ministers to address overfishing 20 June 2002 Common eiders of the St. Lawrence Estuary decimated by "avian cholera"Common eiders of the St. Lawrence Estuary have been affected by avian pasteurellosis, also known as "avian cholera". This devastating disease provokes septicaemia (blood poisoning). Affected birds die 10 to 15 hours after infection. The outbreak spread rapidly in the eider colonies. The common eider is a species that is particularily sensitive to this disease. The St. Lawrence Estuary common eider population is estimated at 50 000 birds. The majority of these marine ducks nest between Rivière-du-Loup and Le Bic, mainly on Bicquette Island. Cases of pasteurellosis have been reported on Bicquette Island, Fraises Island, Pommes Island and Blanche Island. Approximately 6000 bird carcasses have been found, more than 10 % of the population. These carcasses will all be burned or buried in order to avoid the spread of infection. The peak of the mortality rate has passed and veterinarians from the Ministère de l’Agriculture, de Pêcheries et de l’Alimentation du Québec are not overly concerned for the common eider population. Cases of avian pasteurellosis occur every 20 years, or so. Similar outbreaks were reported in the St. Lawrence in 1985, 1966 and 1947. This disease does not represent a threat to humans or to the rest of the ecosystem. [Ministère de l'Agriculture, des Pêcheries et de l'Alimentation du Québec] 6 June 2002 Arctic Mission: a film expeditionArctic Mission is a large-scale film expedition that was put together by Glacialis Productions in collaboration with the National Film Board of Canada and Gédéon Programmes of France. This expedition will criss-cross the Canadian Arctic for six months aboard Sedna, a 51-metre sailboat. The goal of the voyage is to produce five documentary films on the impact of climate change on the Arctic, its indigenous animals and the people of the North. Arctic Mission will reach a broad public via its web site, which will be kept up-to-date on a regular basis. Anyone interested can subscribe to the site and follow the team, virtually. The official departure will be from the Magdalene Islands on June 18. Until then, Sedna will be on a promotional tour of the ports of Montreal, Trois-Rivières, Québec City, Chicoutimi, Rimouski, Matane, Gaspé and Cap-aux-Meules. I want to know more 23 May 2002 The World Ecotourism Summit: an inspiration for whale watchingThe World Ecotourism Summit was held in Québec City from May 19 to 22. The main event of the International Year of Ecotourism (2002) as declared by the UN, it was an invitation from the United Nations Environment Programme and the World Tourism Organisation to all stakeholders in ecotourism. The event was hosted in Québec City by Tourisme Québec and the Canadian Tourism Commission. Ecotourism encompasses all forms of tourism centred on the discovery and observation of nature. It generally includes an interpretive experience or the study of a natural milieu, supports its protection and reduces any negative impact on the environment as much as possible. Ecotourism represents a powerful medium for nature conservation, as well as major economic development potential for isolated areas where there are few other possibilities. The main themes covered during the Summit dealt with the following aspects: ecotourism planning, its management and regulation, its marketing and promotion, and finally, the equitable sharing of costs and advantages with all participants involved. Whale watching is an important ecotourism activity. It fits the description and objectives of this form of tourism. Its management could draw inspiration from the conclusions and recommendations of the Summit. I want to know more 9 May 2002 A new status for the blue whale: endangeredThe blue whale has recently been added to the list of endangered species by the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC). The different risk categories attributable to a species are: not at risk, special concern, threatened and endangered. The blue whale, which in the past was listed as a species of special concern, has climbed up two levels on this scale. Despite hunting bans in the 1950s, blue whale populations do not appear to be recovering. Two populations have been identified in Canada: the Atlantic population and the Pacific population. Blue whales found off the coast of British Columbia are likely part of a population based in the northern North East Pacific. Based on the rare sightings, it is believed that there are significantly less than 250 mature individuals in this population. The Atlantic population is also made up of less than 250 mature individuals; the calving rate as well as recruitment rate to this population appear to be low. The world-wide population of blue whales is difficult to assess. There are between 4000 and 12 000 blue whales left on the planet. Various factors weigh heavily against blue whale recovery. These include pollution, entanglement in fishing gear, ship strikes, disturbance from increasing whale-watching activities and long-term changes in climate, which could affect the abundance of their prey (zooplankton). [COSEWIC] I want to know more On Whales online: Who are the St. Lawrence blue whales? 25 April 2002 Harvesting of molluscs prohibited due to presence of toxinThe harvesting of molluscs has been prohibited throughout New Brunswick, along the north shore of Prince Edward Island and in Chaleurs Bay due to the presence of a toxin produced by planktonic algae. The species included in the ban are mussels, oysters, clams and quahaugs. Dinoflagellate algae, specifically those belonging to the genus Alexandrium sp., are generally responsible for the contamination of molluscs by toxins that they produce, such as saxitoxin. The largest blooms of this group of algae take place in summer and are responsible for red tides. For this reason, most problems with toxins occur during summer. This time, the algae responsible belongs to the group known as diatoms, specifically of the genus Pseudo-nitzschia, which produce domoic acid. The species Pseudo-nitzschia multiseries is known for its autumnal blooms. However, for the first time, another species may be responsible: Pseudo-nitzschia seriata. This is also the first time that the mollusc harvesting zones have had to be closed in the spring, a very unusual occurrence. Scientists are researching the reasons for this springtime bloom. The suspected species lives very well in cold water and is known to grow, in the Arctic, under the icepack. Could it grow in the same way here? Could the odd ice conditions of last winter have helped this species grow? The question is open for discussion. Whatever the case may be, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency conducts regular testing of molluscs. The problem was therefore detected promptly and no contaminated molluscs were consumed. [Fisheries and Oceans Canada] I want to know more Fisheries and Oceans Canada News Release 11 April 2002 To study the St. Lawrence : two new research Chairs institutedThe Institut des sciences de la mer (ISMER) of Rimouski at the Université du Québec à Rimouski (UQAR), has recently endowed itself with two new research Chairs related to the study of St. Lawrence ecosystems. One of these research Chairs is to deal with the molecular ecotoxicology of cold environments. Under the supervision of Mr. Émilien Pelletier who occupies the Chair, the research team will study the effects of climate change, increase in ultra-violet radiation and air-born pollution on northern ecosystems, the St. Lawrence among them. The other is a Fisheries and Oceans Canada research Chair, associated with ISMER, which will be dealing specifically with marine acoustics. Holder of this chair is Mr. Yvan Simard of the Maurice Lamontagne Institute. Acoustic methods allow researchers to study far below the surface, while optical methods are limited due to an absence of light. Active acoustics consist of producing sounds and listening to their echoes, much like an ultrasound scan. In this way images of the sea bottom can be constructed. This technique can also be used to estimate and map schools of fish and plankton. Passive acoustics, simply listening to underwater sounds using hydrophones, are also employed. This technique can be used to listen for whale sounds or boat noise, for example. Very useful methods for the study of the St. Lawrence. Another project will soon be produced in collaboration with ISMER. The Centre de recherche sur les biotechnologies marines will be devoted to the study of marine molecules for pharmacological applications. [ISMER, UQAR] I want to know more Création d'une chaire de recherche en acoustique marine appliquée (in French) Création d'une chaire de recherche en écotoxicologie (in French) 28 March 2002 An inter-regional activity for the Fêtes du Québec maritime… the Great Whale and Seal Census!The Great Whale and Seal Census is one of the numerous activities that will be produced as part of the Fêtes du Québec maritime. These festivities are a tribute to the marine environment. Over 170 different activities will take place between June 21 and 10 July 2002 in more than 45 cities and municipalities. The St. Lawrence River, Estuary, Gulf, shores, islands, fauna and flora along with residents of maritime Quebec regions will be honoured.The press conference announcing the official opening of the Fêtes du Québec maritime takes place today in Rimouski. The Great Whale and Seal Census will take place in the jurisdictions of five Regional Tourist Associations (Manicouagan, Duplessis, Bas-Saint-Laurent, Gaspésie and Îles-de-la-Madeleine). This inter-regional activity will happen on July 7, 8 and 9. Over 40 observers spread out along the St. Lawrence will be on the look-out. Several hundred marine mammals are present in our waters at this time of the year. Various species abound, from the small harbour porpoise to the enormous blue whale. Observers of two well established networks, covering the entire maritime Quebec territory, will disclose their sightings to the GREMM (Group for Research and Education on Marine Mammals) team based at the Marine Mammal Interpretation Centre in Tadoussac. This information will be collected and presented on the following web sites: www.whales-online.net, www.fetesduquebecmaritime.com and www.biosphere.ec.gc.ca. The project, coordinated by the GREMM team, will be produced in collaboration with observers from the ROMMBSL (Réseau d'observateurs de mammifères marins du Bas-Saint-Laurent). The ROMMBSL team and Environment Canada's Biosphere will present complementary activities for the general public over the course of the three days of the Great Whale and Seal Census. During this event, the public is invited to actively participate in the success of the Great Whale and Seal Census by using a toll-free number. This number can be used to establish a direct contact between the general public and a marine mammal specialist working for GREMM, who will be available to give out information and answer questions such as, "Where are the whales today?". Everyone is invited to pass along their observations during the event. I want to know more Québec maritime web site, section Latest News/Fêtes du Québec maritime 14 March 2002 New regulations for whale watching in the Saguenay–St. Lawrence Marine ParkOn March 12, Parks Canada announced the adoption and implementation of the Regulations Respecting Marine Activities in the Saguenay–St. Lawrence Marine Park. These regulations represent a first in Canada. They are aimed at protecting whales from disturbance by observation activities at sea. The development of the regulations involved a concerted approach: cruise operators, the scientific community as well as tourism, economic and social advocates from the region, all participated with the governments of Quebec and Canada for the elaboration of the regulations. The Regulations Respecting Marine Activities in the Saguenay–St. Lawrence Marine Park are comprised of two parts. The first describes the conditions for the issuance of permits, which applies to cruise operators in particular. The second defines speeds and distances to be respected, as well as various rules for the respectful approach of the animals. It is important to note that belugas, which are representatives of an endangered population, must be excluded from observation activities. These new regulations apply to the 1138 km2 covered by the Marine Park situated at the confluence of the Saguenay Fjord and the St. Lawrence Estuary. Fisheries and Oceans Canada's Marine Mammal Regulations regulate the entire zone outside the Marine Park. This ministry is in the process of revising existing regulations to render them more apt to protect marine mammals in the St. Lawrence. For now, whale watching outside Marine Park boundaries is conducted with respect to a Code of ethics, on a voluntary basis. [Parks Canada News Release] I want to know more On Parks Canada web site: Backgrounder: The Regulations Respecting Marine Activities in the Saguenay–St. Lawrence Marine Park On Whales online: 28 February 2002 Cancer in St. Lawrence belugasAn initial study published by Daniel Martineau of the Faculté de Médecine Vétérinaire de l'Université de Montréal suggested a link between the first case of cancer detected in a St. Lawrence beluga whale and chemical contamination of this population. Since then, Dr. Martineau's team has carried out a meticulous investigation aimed at documenting causes of death in belugas. In a new study that appeared this month in the journal Environmental Health Perspectives, Dr. Martineau and his collaborators describe the results of the examination of 129 beluga carcasses between 1983 and 1999. Their study reveals that cancer, particularly cancer of the digestive system, is the main cause of death of adult belugas (27%). This rate of cancer is much higher than that of Arctic belugas, not to mention all other species of wild mammal. It represents a rate that is comparable to what is found in humans. The authors of the study also reveal that the rate of this type of cancer in the human population living in proximity of the beluga distribution area is also particularly high compared to other regions of Quebec and Canada. They also note that several studies on humans have established a link between these types of cancer and exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), powerful carcinogens released into the atmosphere by aluminum smelters. While not establishing a definitive cause and effect relationship, the presence of high concentrations of PAHs in the beluga environment and contamination of this species by these products lead the authors of the study to conclude that the high rates of cancer in belugas could be caused by these toxic pollutants. Since the beginning of the investigation by Dr. Martineau's team, the main polluting industries in the St. Lawrence watershed have considerably reduced their toxic emissions. Alcan's aluminum smelters stopped dumping liquid PAHs in the early 1980s, and their annual atmospheric emissions of PAHs dropped from 1 600 tonnes in 1983 to approximately 370 tonnes in 1995, a 77% reduction. Despite these efforts, the beluga's situation remains precarious. The St. Lawrence beluga is on Canada's endangered species list. Present population estimates of around 1 000 animals represent only 20 to 25% of the early twentieth century population. Although commercial whaling which is considered as the main cause of this drop ended 40 years ago, the St. Lawrence beluga population does not appear to be recovering. Results of regular aerial surveys carried out over the past 20 years have not demonstrated an increase in the number of belugas in the St. Lawrence. I want to know more Abstract: Cancer in Wildlife, a Case Study: Beluga from the St. Lawrence Estuary, Quebec, Canada. On Whales-online: The St. Lawrence beluga recovery plan Industries concerned about protecting the environment How many contaminants are found in belugas? On St. Lawrence Vision 2000: (phase III of the St. Lawrence Action Plan) Complete paper: Martineau, D., K. Lemberger, A. Dallaire, P. Labelle, T.P. Lipscomb, P. Michel, and I. Mikaelian. 2002. Cancer in Wildlife, a Case Study: Beluga from the St. Lawrence Estuary, Quebec, Canada. Environmental Health Perspectives, vol. 110, no 3, March 2002, (pp. 1 to 8). 21 February 2002 The Culture and Communications Ministry promotes whalesIn the context of its museum support programme, the Quebec Culture and Communications Ministry has granted $80 000 to the Marine Mammal Interpretation Centre (CIMM). The CIMM, based in Tadoussac, is a news and reference centre for the whales of the St. Lawrence. It is also an important reference centre for those working in the regional whale-watching industry. The CIMM's exhibit attracts some 35 000 visitors annually and helps raise public awareness about whales and the conservation of their environment. The Culture and Communications Ministry grant will be used to renew the permanent exhibit. Improvements to the exhibit will include more up-to-date information aimed at bridging the gap between scientific research on these impressive animals and the general public. [Culture and Communications Ministry] 31 January 2002 Toxic spill in the St. LawrenceThe Société pour Vaincre la Pollution (SVP) and the Environmental Bureau of Investigation (EBI) recently reported that an old hazardous waste site in the greater Montreal area is leaking PCBs into the waters of the St. Lawrence. This site was paved over in 1966 to make way for a parking lot for the Expo '67 World's Fair. Between 1967 and 1972 it was used as a small, local airport before being taken over by the city of Montreal a decade later in order to create Technoparc, an advanced technology research park. The site has an overall surface area of some 30 million square feet and is situated near the Victoria Bridge, less than two kilometres from downtown Montreal. This environmental menace was first identified in 1988. Certain water samples collected in the St. Lawrence have revealed PCB concentrations of 368 parts per billion near the site. This represents levels that are hundreds of thousands of times those set by government guidelines. SVP and EIB are critical of the fact that Environment Canada is not getting involved in this issue. [ Environment News Service] I want to know more On Environment News Service:Environmentalists Find Toxic Slick in St-Lawrence River |