Navigation on the St. Lawrence Echo of the Past, Path to the Future 1 | Come Take a Voyage
Over the centuries, the mighty St. Lawrence has fostered the creation of a vast world. We invite you to discover it, one page at a time. Echo of the Past, Path to Future Let this pamphlet be your compass on a voyage to explore the many facets of commercial shipping and recreational boating on the St. Lawrence.
The St. Lawrence is a universe in itself. It is the main axis of a 3,700-kilometre waterway stretching from Lake Superior to the Atlantic Ocean and draining a quarter of the world’s fresh water. The river flows nearly 1,200 kilometres from Kingston, in Eastern Ontario, through Quebec.
The river has three main segments.
Navigation on the St. Lawrence Navigation on the St. Lawrence It begins with the fluvial section that
Come Take a Voyage Come Take
originates in the Great Lakes. From |
II there, it flows into the world’s largest 1 estuary (400 kilometres at the mouth), which begins modestly at the eastern tip of Île d’Orléans, where saltwater meets agreement to foster the conservation and fresh. The estuary extends to Pointe- enhancement of the St. Lawrence River. 1. Sustainable Navigation des-Monts, on the North Shore, where Strategy for the it finally transforms into an immense The NCC is composed of approximately St. Lawrence. 2004– 2011 Report Action gulf that flows into the Atlantic Ocean. 20 members from various departments Plan 2011–2026. of the governments of Canada and Echo of the Past, Path to Future This document on navigation is Quebec, commercial shipping and the outcome of a project initiated recreational boating representatives, by the Navigation Coordination environmental groups and members Committee (NCC). It is one of the of various organizations related to tangible deliverables of the action plan navigation and the environment. The
for the Sustainable Navigation Strategy NCC promotes sustainable commercial for the St. Lawrence, originally issued and recreational navigation, meaning in 2004 and updated in 2014.1 Overall, navigation that meets economic, this strategy is aimed at adapting the environmental and social sustainability management practices of commercial objectives; ensures sound short- and and recreational navigation stakeholders long-term protection of ecosystems and to the St. Lawrence’s environmental the quality of human life; and operates in (reduction of impacts), economic harmony with navigational development. (promotion of marine transport) and social The Committee has come up with
Navigation on the St. Lawrence Navigation on the St. Lawrence (harmonization of uses) sustainability several concrete initiatives, including the Come Take a Voyage Come Take
imperatives. The NCC was officially voluntary reduction of vessel speeds in |
1 established during Phase III of the some segments of the waterway and 1 St. Lawrence Action Plan (1998-2003). the establishment of the St. Lawrence The Action Plan is a Canada-Quebec Dredging Activities Planning Registry. 2 Navigation on the St. Lawrence Echo of the Past, Path to the Future being setforanewcivilization. villages intocities,thescenewas evolved intoportsandsometimes, continental interior. Asdocksgradually settlers explored andcolonized the shores andtributariesthat European and transportation.Itwasthrough its fishing, farmingitswatershedlands American populations,whouseditfor an essentialeconomicrole forNative the Europeans arrived,theriverplayed in thearea’s occupation.Well before physical proximity hasplayedakeyrole lives neartheSt. Lawrence River. This Close to80%ofQuebec’s population 2 |
Then andNow The St. Lawrence,
St. Lawrence consistsof coasting. about 20%ofcommercial traffic onthe popular againintheearly2000s.Today, price andenergy performance madeit disappeared inthe1970s,untilitscost nearly putanendtocoasting.Italmost road infrastructure improvements railway expansionand20th century were alltransportedinthis way. Post-1850 supplies, animals,timberandothergoods the St. Lawrence River. Travellers, food transportation betweenvillagesalong has longbeenthemainmeansof Coasting, ordomesticmarineshipping, transporting goodsandpassengers. who maketheirlivingfishingand builders, shipownersandnavigators, parishes are stillhometofamiliesofboat for overthree centuries.Oldshoreline inhabited bysailingandfishingfamilies The St. Lawrence Estuaryhasbeen 2
2 | The St. Lawrence, Then and Now 3 Navigation on the St. Lawrence Echo of the Past, Path to the Future 2. water recreation, tourismandmore. isolated andremote communities, people andgoods,openingup supplying drinkingwater, transporting marine industry. Itsusesare endless: of adynamicnationalandinternational The St. Lawrence isnowattheheart
Impact Study, 2012]. Industry Economic 2012 [QuébecMarine maritime auQuébec, économique del’industrie Étude del’impact Joseph-Elzéar Bernier (1852-1934). Joseph-Elzéar Bernier part ofthecountry, thegreat Captain memory ofthemostfamoussonthis town foundedin1677,andhonoursthe boats. TheMuseumisinL’Islet, asmall reserve ofscalemodelsdepicting various two museum ships,archives andalarge admire modelsoftraditionalvessels, building workshop)where visitorscan artifacts: anoldboathouse(aboat collection includesalltypesof St. Lawrence mariners.Itsextensive Québec istopreserve theheritageof The missionoftheMuséemaritimedu Vignette 3 3.
http://www.mmq.qc.ca. du Québecwebsiteat See theMuséemaritime
2 | The St. Lawrence, Then and Now 3 | Navigation: the Heart of Commercial, tourist and recreational a Strong Economy navigation on the St. Lawrence all contribute significantly to the economic Open year-round to navigation, the development of Quebec and its St. Lawrence River downstream from regions. In 2015, close to 25,000 direct Montréal is a vital trade corridor on which jobs were linked to Quebec’s marine millions of consumers and thousands of economy. The marine industry is businesses depend. The St. Lawrence important to the economy of Quebec: Seaway extends to the heart of the it includes about 370 businesses, North American continent and is the contributes approximately 2.3 billion shortest route between Europe and the dollars to Quebec’s gross domestic North American heartland, two of the product and generates about world’s most heavily industrialized areas. 680 million in tax revenues for the In Quebec, the commercial port system federal and provincial governments.5 connects to rail and road networks, which enables it to reach a North American The industry’s importance is not market of over 135 million people within surprising given the many advantages a 1,000-kilometre radius of Montréal.4 and benefits of marine transportation. Navigation on the St. Lawrence Echo of the Past, Path to Future Navigation on the St. Lawrence Navigation: the Heart of a Strong Economy Navigation: the Heart of a Strong
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4 3 5 Navigation on the St. Lawrence Echo of the Past, Path to the Future 6 6. 5. 4.
industry/environment/ get-to-know-the-marine- st-laurent.org/bim/en/ SODES, Impact Study, 2012"]. Industry Economic 2012 ["QuébecMarine maritime auQuébec économique del’industrie Étude del’impact The Quebec Strategy, 2015,page5. http://www. Maritime ,
3 | Navigation: the Heart of a Strong Economy 6 Navigation on the St. Lawrence Echo of the Past, Path to the Future network spanningover100kilometres. its ownpassengerterminalandarailway stevedoring companies,andoperates transshipment facilitiestoprivate Montréal PortAuthorityleases its example ofmajorportactivities,the factors (self-sufficiency). To givean type, zoneofinfluence)andfinancial economic factors(traffic valueand road andrailaccess,depth,etc.), by technicalfactors(portinfrastructure, twenty commercial portscategorized Quebec. TheSt. Lawrence hasabout economic growth andjobcreation in Commercial portsare essentialto Port Activities A Multi-facetedActivity marine transportationinCanada. and supportsthedevelopmentof industry fullycontributestotheeconomy authorities toensure that the marine their membersindealingswithseveral marine transportationandrepresent are twoorganizations thatpromote shipowners andassociatedmembers) (an association thatrepresents Canadian and St. Lawrence Shipoperators tradeshippingagents) and international (which advocates onbehalfofshipowners The ShippingFederationofCanada, tugs, barges, trawlersandothers. Ro-Ro ships, bulkcarriersandtankers), of craft:cargo ships(containers, on theSt. Lawrence includealltypes and oceans.Thefleetstheyoperate commercial shippingonrivers,lakes Shipowners are carriersthatengagein Shipowners
3 | Navigation: the Heart of a Strong Economy 7 Navigation on the St. Lawrence Echo of the Past, Path to the Future from Montréal toVancouver andback. at thePortofMontréal, wouldstretch end, thecontainershandledannually daily reach usbyship.Lined upendto fact, 90%ofthegoodsweconsume transported ontheSt. Lawrence. In accounting forover1millioncontainers are alsoofgreat economicvalue, products shipped.Manufactured goods ore andmetalsare amongthemain such astimber, cereals, hydrocarbons, totalling 80,000peryear. Rawmaterials ships travelontheYangtze everyhour, Rhine inEurope peryear. InAsia,nine an averageof9,000shipstravelonthe day or5,000peryear. Incomparison, the St. Lawrence Riverisadozenper average numberofshipstravellingon through St. Lawrence terminals.The about 110milliontonnesofgoods Every year, commercial shipstransport managed jointlywithlocalresidents. Fisheries andOceansCanadaare of primarily underthegovernance for afewyears.Fishingharboursfall scallops) hasalsobeeninexistence eel andsmelt.Aquaculture (mussels, fresh waterfocusesonyellow perch, Commercial fishinginthe fluvialsection’s value hasappreciated significantly. in thespaceofonegeneration,catch Although fishingvolumeshavefallen such assnowcrab,lobsterandshrimp. tocrustaceans fish harvesterstoturn declining stocksinthe1990sprompted in theGulfofSt. Lawrence, butdeeply Cod has longbeenthechoicecatch resource managementiscritical. communities forwhichsustainable It istheeconomicheartofmanysmall on theSt. Lawrence is$200 million. The estimatedvalueofcommercial fishing Fishing ontheSt. Lawrence 7
8 8. 7.
surlefleuve.asp). delapechecommerciale pages/importance lesaint-laurent.com/ website (http://www. des Transports duQuébec SODES andtheMinistère ["Commercial Fishing"], "La pêchecommerciale" MAPAQ, Pages/Peche.aspx fr/Peche/Peche/ mapaq.gouv.qc.ca/ http://www.
3 | Navigation: the Heart of a Strong Economy Ferry Services St. Lawrence and made 348 stopovers.10 Approximately 30 municipalities belong They visited one or more of the nine ports to the network formed by the Société des of call along the St. Lawrence, including traversiers du Québec (STQ) and private Montréal, Québec City, and Trois-Rivières, ferries operating on the St. Lawrence. as well as the remaining six ports Ferries are vital to traffic between the developed under the Government of shores of the St. Lawrence, transporting Quebec’s Stratégie de développement about 5 million people and 2.5 million durable et de promotion des croisières vehicles annually.9 In addition to the internationales sur le Saint-Laurent ferries, ships also travel the waters to [strategy for sustainable development serve remote locations on the North and international cruise ship promotion Shore of the Gulf of St. Lawrence and in on the St. Lawrence]: Saguenay, Nunavik, their holds filled with food, fuel, Baie-Comeau, Sept-Îles, Havre-Saint- staple goods and miscellaneous materials. Pierre, Gaspé and Cap-aux-Meules.
International Cruises and Quebec’s tour boat industry also Boat Tours contributes significantly to tourism An increasing number of cruise ships development in several regions along the travel the waters of the St. Lawrence, St. Lawrence. An estimated 1.2 million calling at ports and generating significant passengers per year are transported
Navigation on the St. Lawrence Echo of the Past, Path to Future Navigation on the St. Lawrence economic benefits. In 2014, the province by the 80 or so tour boat companies in Navigation: the Heart of a Strong Economy Navigation: the Heart of a Strong
welcomed 261,000 international cruise Quebec. Boat tours between two ports |
8 passengers and 94,000 crew members. and lasting one or more days attracted 3 A total of 27 cruise ships sailed the over 50,000 passengers this same year.11 9. Société des traversiers Vignette du Québec, Rapport annuel de gestion ["Annual Did you know that there is a rail car Report"] 2014–2015. ferry? Operating out of Matane, the 10. Cruise the Saint Georges-Alexandre-Lebel connects the Lawrence, http://www. south and north shores with service cruisesaintlawrence. to Baie-Comeau and Sept-Îles. Built com/EN/Press- releases/314/ in Vancouver in 1975, this specialized International-cruise- 26-car capacity vessel transports nearly sector-Record-year- 2,000 cars year-round. The rail-marine for-Destination-Saint- link provides an alternative to a detour Lawrence.aspx. over land of over 1,000 kilometres, 11. LeSaint-Laurent.com, crossing the 50 kilometres http://www.lesaint- separating the St. Lawrence’s laurent.com/pages/ croisieresetexcursions two shores in no time at all. tourisme.asp. Navigation on the St. Lawrence Echo of the Past, Path to Future Navigation on the St. Lawrence Navigation: the Heart of a Strong Economy Navigation: the Heart of a Strong
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9 3 10 Navigation on the St. Lawrence Echo of the Past, Path to the Future increasing shipsizesandvolumesof To meettherequirements forthesteadily Saint-François, upstream from Montréal. already linkinglakesSaint-Louis and It joinedthesmalllock-equippedcanals 1824 andbypassestheLachineRapids. the LachineCanalwasinauguratedin problematic. Conceivedas earlyas1680, vessels around theIsland ofMontréal elevation hasmademovinghigh-tonnage The river’s numerous rapidsanddrops in into theeconomichubthatitistoday. St. Lawrence wouldnothave evolved certain technologicalsolutions,the every stretch ofthewaterway. Without the manynaturalbarrierspresent on challenged whenconfronted with pilots, buteventheirexpertiseis requires thespecialskillsofprofessional and levelwaterway. Rivernavigation The St. Lawrence isnotastraight,calm SeawayCanals The St. Lawrence Technical Feats are underCanadianjurisdiction. (east ofLakeOntario),and5 ofthese 7 are locatedalongtheSt. Lawrence of spectacular! OftheSeaway’s 15locks, of liftoperations,whichare nothingshort the waterwayandyou’llhaveapicture 180 metres before settingthembackonto lifting 25,000-tonnefloatingcontainersup complex liftingsystem.Imagineagiant litres ofwater. Together, thelocksforma ten minutestofillwithabout90million 25 metres. Ninemetres deep,alocktakes Each lockmeasures about 235by through aSt. Lawrence Seawaylock. It takesavessel45minutestopass North America’s industrialheartland. could nowreach theGreat Lakes, to theNiagararegion. Seagoingvessels that extendedupstream from Montréal and highlyadvancedengineeringeffort in 1959.Itwastheproduct ofavast inaugurated theSt. Lawrence Seaway goods, CanadaandtheUnitedStates 12
3 | Navigation: the Heart of a Strong Economy Navigation on the St. Lawrence Echo of the Past, Path to Future Navigation on the St. Lawrence 12. “Locks, Canals and Navigation: the Heart of a Strong Economy Navigation: the Heart of a Strong
Channels,” The |
11 St. Lawrence Seaway 3 Management Corporation (http://www.greatlakes- seaway.com/en/seaway/ locks/index.html). 4 | Safety: a Priority large vessels. Why is the bottom of the at All Times St. Lawrence unstable? A number of factors, including currents and waves, Whether commercial or recreational, stir up sediment deposited on the river navigation on the St. Lawrence must floor, continually shaping and reshaping comply with numerous strict requirements its topography. This perpetual agitation Echo of the Past, Path to Future protecting mariners, passengers and is random, which explains why sediment boaters as well as ships, the environment is distributed unevenly along the and ecosystems. Transport Canada, the length and width of the river bottom. Canadian Coast Guard and Fisheries and Oceans Canada govern marine and river There are two types of dredging. The safety with complementary regulations. first is maintenance dredging, done to restore river bottoms to their certified chart depths. Maintenance dredging Dredging, a Crucial Activity is never done systematically over the entire length of the St. Lawrence. It is Ships come in many sizes. To keep used to reopen passages, much like afloat and move forward without running shoveling a path through a snow-covered aground, a ship requires a given water walkway. An average 76,000 m3 of depth in relation to its weight and shape: sediment is dredged every year in the
Navigation on the St. Lawrence Navigation on the St. Lawrence this is Archimedes’ principle. Since navigable channel between Montréal and Safety: a Priority at All Times
the bottom of waterways is unstable, Cap Tourmente, located approximately |
12 it is sometimes necessary to shape 50 kilometres east of Québec City. 4 sections of the corridors navigated by By comparison, the Port of New York removed over 910,000 m3 of sediment in (through the Canadian Coast Guard), 2013 to make its facilities accessible. Public Services and Procurement 13. St. Lawrence Dredging Canada and Environment Canada. These Activities Planning The second type of dredging involves departments are also responsible for Registry – St. Lawrence Action Plan 2011–2026 deepening, referred to as capital dredging. removing contamination from dredged (http://planstlaurent. It consists of excavating the sea floor sediments, if needed. Note that the qc.ca/en/uses/dredging_ Echo of the Past, Path to Future or river bed to deepen the navigation commercial shipping industry assumes activities.html). corridor. The last capital dredging all dredging and decontamination costs. campaign in the St. Lawrence was in 1999. It increased the depth of the river Established in 2009 on the initiative of the by 30 centimetres in the section between NCC, the St. Lawrence Dredging Activities Montréal and Cap à la Roche, located Registry has been integrated into the about 200 kilometres downstream. This St. Lawrence Action Plan since 2011. type of dredging is uncommon and only It improves the management of dredging performed periodically. In 2013, the Port and ensures that ecosystems and public Authority of New York and New Jersey health are adequately protected while also conducted capital dredging by maintaining and promoting sustainable removing over 9 million metres3 of sand, navigation on the St. Lawrence.13 clay silt and rock to accommodate larger vessels and be globally competitive. Navigation on the St. Lawrence Navigation on the St. Lawrence Safety: a Priority at All Times
Dredging in the St. Lawrence is jointly |
13 overseen by several federal departments, 4 including Fisheries and Oceans Canada Organization for pilots for the Québec City–Les Escoumins Safe Navigation section. Anyone who aspires to be a pilot must spend several years at sea as a deck Under the Pilotage Act (enforced by officer before beginning training. Pilot Transport Canada), any cargo vessel or certification requirements are very strict. cruise ship entering a compulsory pilotage Echo of the Past, Path to Future area, as defined by the Act because Transport Canada’s mandate is to it is considered riskier for navigation, promote a safe and secure, efficient and must entrust its operation to a licensed environmentally responsible transportation pilot (and sometimes two pilots), who, system in Canada. The Department independently of the crew, shall exercise establishes marine transportation his or her professional judgment to standards and regulations, and ensures ensure safe and eco-friendly navigation. compliance through a monitoring system, On the St. Lawrence, the area between mainly through inspections. It has also Les Escoumins and the Saint-Lambert implemented a tanker safety system that lock, near Montréal, requires compulsory includes prevention, preparedness and pilotage. The Laurentian Pilotage response, and liability and compensation. Authority trains the pilots who take The system combines inspection, aerial over operation of ships for this specific surveillance and monitoring programs for stretch. The Corporation des pilotes du all tankers with measures to modernize
Navigation on the St. Lawrence Navigation on the St. Lawrence Saint-Laurent Central (CPSLC) provides navigation systems, plan area responses, Safety: a Priority at All Times
pilots for the Montréal–Québec City reform the Incident Command System |
14 section, and the Corporation des pilotes for at-sea incidents, and carry out 4 du Bas Saint-Laurent (CPBSL) provides scientific research on non-conventional petroleum products. The Government The Canadian Hydrographic Service of Canada regularly amends legislation also makes an important contribution Vignette and regulations to increase polluter to marine safety. The Service collects responsibility and provide increased real-time data on the St. Lawrence’s What happens when an protection to injured parties.14 water levels at different points, surveys oil spill is reported in the the channel and produces detailed St. Lawrence River? Echo of the Past, Path to Future The St. Lawrence River and its tributary charts; this helps plan the movements the Saguenay River are kept open to of commercial ships, whose loads and Exceptional marine occurrences commercial shipping in winter through speeds mean that there are specific management is entrusted to the combined efforts of a number of requirements depending on water depth. the Canadian Coast Guard organizations. The Canadian Coast and Transport Canada when a Guard provides icebreakers to prevent vessel is directly involved. flood-causing ice jams, escort vessels and assist them in distress situations. Upon request, the specialists at Through real-time traffic monitoring, the Eastern Canada Response Marine Communications and Traffic Corporation (ECRC), whose centres Services provide information about which are located along the St. Lawrence, routes vessels should take through the immediately respond using all ice and ensure the vessels comply. 14. World-Class Tanker of their equipment to assist Safety, Transport Canada public authorities, communities (https://www.tc.gc. Navigation on the St. Lawrence Navigation on the St. Lawrence and the private sector. Safety: a Priority at All Times ca/media/documents/
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marinesafety/world-
15 4 class-tanker-safety.pdf). 5 | Industry and Boating on the River Recreation: In Tune Recreational boating forms part of with Sustainable the vast marine industry that includes Development motorized and human-powered boats, sail boats, kayaks, nautical Echo of the Past, Path to Future With its landscapes and vibrant life, schools, and countless outfitters, the majestic St. Lawrence attracts public agencies, associations and users from around the world eager to federations. Like commercial shipping, experience this exceptional environment boating is an essential component of firsthand. Recreational mariners, cruise an economic prosperity that generates enthusiasts, divers, recreational fishers, local and national benefits. hunters and many others support a dynamic marine industry. Although the Boating became popular in Quebec challenges to ensuring sustainability thirty years ago. Many facilities were are not insignificant, the measures built following the Les grands voiliers in place are equal to the task. [Tall Ships] event in 1984, which celebrated the 450th anniversary of Jacques Cartier’s reaching the St. Lawrence. Today, over 140 marinas,
Navigation on the St. Lawrence Navigation on the St. Lawrence yacht clubs, recreational ports and Industry and Recreation: In Tune with Sustainable Development In Tune Industry and Recreation:
harbours, including nearly 15,000 dock |
16 spaces, border the St. Lawrence; this is 5 17 Navigation on the St. Lawrence Echo of the Past, Path to the Future boating safetyonCanadianwaters. various organizations thatpromote Safety ContributionProgram funds among keypartners.TheBoating and raisesawareness ofmarine safety It alsotrainslawenforcement agencies Craft OperatorCompetencyProgram. licences andtheNationalPleasure restrictions oncraftuse,pleasure craft regulatory programs pertainingto with regulations. TheOffice manages safe waterpracticesandcompliance It isalsoresponsible forpromoting regulations, standards andpolicies. Safety (OBS)overseesandenforces Transport Canada’s Office ofBoating wide rangeofcraftaccesstotheriver. as docksandboatlaunchesthatgranta in additiontoprivateinfrastructure, such nearly 60teamsoffivepeople— and ofcourseQuébecCitymakeup L’Isle-aux-Coudres, Sorel, Portneuf From RimouskitoMontréal, racersat de Québectraditionsince1955! possible. ThishasbeenaCarnaval to cross theRiverasquickly at different locationsandcompete Ice canoeteamsgatheringroups takes placeontheSt. Lawrence. Every winter, anexceptionalsport Vignette over themightySt. Lawrence River. sail overtheiceandreign victorious teamwork, thesemasterfulathletes tradition. Relyingontheirstrength and who carryonthisuniquelyQuebec including adozenwomen’s teams—
5 | Industry and Recreation: In Tune with Sustainable Development Echo of the Past, Path to Future
Navigation on the St. Lawrence Navigation on the St. Lawrence Industry and Recreation: In Tune with Sustainable Development In Tune Industry and Recreation:
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18 5 The OBS is committed to establishing The Office of Boating Safety supports and strengthening partnerships with the boating community, which includes 15. National Marine organizations whose goal is to increase over 4 million pleasure boats in Canada Manufacturers navigation safety by educating and and over 10 million recreational Association data. raising awareness among boaters and boaters. Boating injects approximately boating enthusiasts. To do this, OBS $8.9 billion15 into the Canadian Echo of the Past, Path to Future trains law enforcement partners on economy every year. OBS’s Boating regulations, while funds are granted to Safety Program aims to reduce the various organizations under the Boating number of boating accident victims, Safety Contribution Program. OBS of which there are nearly one hundred can also help local governments find throughout the country every year. alternative (non-regulatory) measures to resolve waterway conflicts. Tourisme Québec also supports the marine industry through its programs. In partnership with the magazine La Presse nautique, the Association maritime du Québec publishes the annual Nautiguide, which contains reminders about boating safety rules. Navigation on the St. Lawrence Navigation on the St. Lawrence Industry and Recreation: In Tune with Sustainable Development In Tune Industry and Recreation:
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19 5 6 | Biodiversity: Facing Ongoing Challenges A Treasure There are many challenges, including Worth Protecting aquatic invasive species, bank erosion, industrial impacts and climate change. The St. Lawrence River is home to biodiversity that is unique in Bank erosion affects all waterways. It North America. There are more than deteriorates natural habitats and beaches, several thousand invertebrate and damages infrastructure and nearby land, plant species. Hundreds of bird and causes water quality to deteriorate species nest on the banks of the by increasing suspended particles. St. Lawrence, either permanently or There are many numbers of natural and during migration. Several species of fish, human causes for this phenomenon. land mammals, amphibians, reptiles In the fluvial section, the relative effect and marine mammals—including the of wave action should be considered largest animal in the world, the blue when assessing erosion. Wave action whale—complete the picture.16 is the action of waves beating against a waterway’s banks, either as a result of natural conditions or because of wakes created by ships and pleasure craft.
Navigation on the St. Lawrence Echo of the Past, Path to Future Navigation on the St. Lawrence Wave action magnitude varies according
Biodiversity: A Treasure Worth Protecting Worth Biodiversity: A Treasure
to wave force, winds, vessel size, hull |
20 shape, squat and speed, and the features 6 of the navigation channel.17 The marine 21 Navigation on the St. Lawrence Echo of the Past, Path to the Future St. Lawrence invariousways. community isworkingtoprotect the invasive aquaticspecies.Ocean vessels been implementedtocounter theinfluxof invasive species.Severalmeasures have and aquariumreleases also introduce tank water. Pleasure boating,aquaculture hulls andgettingdischarged withballast through marinetraffic byattachingtoship enter Quebec’s hydrographic network stifling otherspeciesthatlivethere. They and multiplytothepointofinvading environments towhichthey are notnative algae andtinybacteriaenteraquatic plants, fish,mollusks,crustaceans, results from variousactivities.These The presence ofaquaticinvasivespecies boaters complywiththeseinstructions. of waveaction.Alarge proportion of Varennes inorder tomitigatetheeffects a 25-kilometre area betweenSorel and vessel speedreduction withinroughly it establishedinstructionsforvoluntary 18 In2000, to seaconductawaterexchange. environmentally safemethods,orreturn treat ballastwateraccording toapproved, ballast waterandsedimentonboard, their ballasttanksare required tokeep exchanged theirballastwaterorrinsed of ballasttanks.Shipsthathavenot System. Itexaminesthecontents the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence Seaway and boundforportsintheregion orin Canadian ExclusiveEconomicZone Gulf ofSt. Lawrence from outsidethe Canada monitorsalltraffic enteringthe world since2006.Year-round, Transport been amongthemoststringentin Lakes-St. Lawrence SeawaySystemhave for ballastwatermanagementintheGreat ballast waterexchanges.Requirements 200 nautical milestoconductoffshore must keepaminimumdistanceof Before enteringCanadianwaters,vessels that documentsallballastwatertransfers. ballast managementplanandalogbook must haveaConformityCertificate, 18. 17. 16.
Navigation Strategy]. durable [Sustainable Stratégie denavigation erosion-cotiere). dossiers-et-projets/ www.strategiessl.qc.ca/ Saint-Laurent Erosion"], Stratégies "Érosion côtière"["Coastal Navigation Strategy] durable [Sustainable Stratégie denavigation biodiversite). qc.ca/le-saint-laurent/ www.strategiessl. Saint-Laurent ["Biodiversity"], Stratégies "La biodiversité" (http:// (http:// and
6 | Biodiversity: A Treasure Worth Protecting Although the ecological footprint of The Société des traversiers du marine transportation is small when Québec (STQ) also practises sustainable compared with that of other modes of development leadership in the marine transportation, Canadian shipowners industry. The STQ decided that its invest large sums of money to modernize three new vessels would be powered their fleets. Installing more energy- by liquefied natural gas (LNG). LNG is efficient engines is one such example. considered to be one of the cleanest Engine exhaust gas is treated through ship fuels. Its benefits include: it reduces purification systems, hulls are redesigned polluting emissions, improves energy to enhance hydrodynamics and efficiency and is a low risk to the antifouling coating is applied to reduce environment in the event of an accident. the presence of undesirable species. Thanks to LNG, the three new ferries will emit up to 25% less greenhouse gas (GHG) than equivalent vessels using marine diesel fuel. In addition to reducing the environmental footprint when burned, natural gas reduces noise output and vibrations, which ensures greater respect for marine wildlife. Navigation on the St. Lawrence Echo of the Past, Path to Future Navigation on the St. Lawrence
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22 6 1
Cargo out Ballast Ballast Vignette water in water in
1. At source port, unloading cargo, filling with Ballast tanks are used to regulate vessel ballast water (ballasting). immersion and stability by pumping water in or out. All ships have ballast tanks. When a vessel loads goods on board, it must partly or fully empty its ballast 2 tanks. When the vessel is fully loaded, it holds no ballast water. Conversely, when a vessel unloads, it must fill its Ballast Ballast ballast tanks in part or in whole. tank full tank full Cargo hold empty
2. Voyage empty of cargo, full of ballast water.
3
Navigation on the St. Lawrence Echo of the Past, Path to Future Navigation on the St. Lawrence Ballast Ballast
Biodiversity: A Treasure Worth Protecting Worth Biodiversity: A Treasure
water out water out |
Cargo in
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3. At destination port, loading cargo, discharging ballast water (deballasting).
Diagram: Courtesy of GloBallast. In 2007, the North American marine Transport Canada inspects vessels on industry adopted an environmental the St. Lawrence River and implements program called Green Marine.This other concrete actions to prevent and initiative aims to strengthen the detect marine pollution. Under its National environmental performance of shipping Aerial Surveillance Program, Transport companies through a continuous Canada operates three aircraft that can improvement process. Green Marine detect any trace of marine oil spills. participants in fact commit to going These aircraft are based in Moncton, beyond regulatory compliance. Vancouver and, depending on the season, Participants include shipowners, ports, Ottawa or Iqaluit, in Nunavut. It also terminals and shipyards. This voluntary has a joint agreement with Environment environmental certification program Canada to use satellite surveillance. As promotes sustainable development soon as an image indicates an anomaly through 11 performance indicators on the surface of the ocean or the addressing several environmental St. Lawrence River, a reconnaissance issues, such as air emissions (including aircraft is dispatched. If there is a spill, GHG), aquatic invasive species, the aircraft seeks to identify the source waste management and water and and gathers evidence for prosecution.19 soil pollution prevention. Participants have to demonstrate year-over-year
Navigation on the St. Lawrence Echo of the Past, Path to Future Navigation on the St. Lawrence improvement in measurable ways
Biodiversity: A Treasure Worth Protecting Worth Biodiversity: A Treasure
to maintain their certification. |
24 6 The marine industry also contributes to environmental protection and plays Vignette an important role in the Sustainable Navigation Strategy. The Association Since 2013, voluntary measures to co-chaired by Fisheries and Oceans maritime du Québec has operated its reduce the risk of whale-commercial Canada and Parks Canada, is own recreational boating program, vessel collisions have been in effect made up of representatives from Eco-marina, since 2007. This in the St. Lawrence Estuary’s risk the marine industry, conservation certification program aims to improve areas. These voluntary measures groups, Transport Canada, the the environmental management of target speed reduction at the head of Canadian Coast Guard, universities marinas and their operations, including the Laurentian Channel off Tadoussac and the Corporation of the Lower boat maintenance and repair, dock and the identification of an area to St. Lawrence Pilots. Since voluntary management, fueling procedures avoid downstream of Les Escoumins. measures were implemented, vessel and sewage pumping stations. These measures, based on rigorous speeds have significantly decreased scientific studies, were jointly adopted in these areas, resulting in vastly by the members of the Working Group lower collision risks (up to 40%). on Marine Traffic and Protection of Marine Mammals (G2T3M). Linked to the Navigation Coordination Committee (NCC), the G2T3M, 19. "Spill Prevention: National http://www.qc.dfo-
Navigation on the St. Lawrence Echo of the Past, Path to Future Navigation on the St. Lawrence Aerial Surveillance mpo.gc.ca/infoceans/
Biodiversity: A Treasure Worth Protecting Worth Biodiversity: A Treasure
Program", Transport 201306/article4-eng.html | Canada (http://
25 6 www.tc.gc.ca/eng/ marinesafety/oep- ers-nasp-2195.htm). Significant Outreach Efforts St. Lawrence River’s 2,500-kilometre shoreline and is divided into ten sections, In the spirit of sustainable navigation, each designated a “Route bleue”. This St. Lawrence navigation stakeholders “water trail” was born of a desire to are stepping up their efforts to raise facilitate access to the river for small non- boater awareness on the importance motorized craft such as sea kayaks and of protecting waterways and reduce canoes; it was also designed to develop boating’s footprint on ecosystems.20 eco-friendly boating by promoting Transport Canada, for example, has boating safety, respect for shoreline drafted a guide entitled Protecting property and the protection of fragile Quebec’s Waterways – A Boater’s Guide aquatic environments. Various facilities (TP 14761E), which promotes several (such as boat launches, shelters, rest environmental protection actions, such areas, accommodation and food services, as eco-friendly product use, blue-green campgrounds) are available to users. algae prevention, respect for wild animal habitats and waste, wastewater Also of note is the Défi bleu [blue and hydrocarbon management. challenge], launched in 2011 by the Jacques-Cartier Priority Intervention The “Route bleue” [blue route] concept Zone (ZIP) committee. The Défi bleu is a good example of sustainable boating is an awareness campaign held
Navigation on the St. Lawrence Echo of the Past, Path to Future Navigation on the St. Lawrence promotion. The St. Lawrence Water three months per year, encouraging
Biodiversity: A Treasure Worth Protecting Worth Biodiversity: A Treasure
Trail was developed by the Fédération motorized boat users to pro-actively |
26 québécoise du canot et du kayak: contribute to fighting climate change. 6 it is a waterway that runs along the The Défi bleu recommends fourteen 27 Navigation on the St. Lawrence Echo of the Past, Path to the Future 20. • • • • • gas emissions.Theyinclude: simple waystoreduce greenhouse panel orsmallwindturbine). to powercraft(e.g.,asolar energyUsing alternative sources materials onboard. Sorting wasteandrecycling with a4-stroke engine. Replacing anold2-stroke engine the boat’s weight. Slowing downandreducing when theboatstops. Turning off theengine boater’s_guide_e.pdf quebec-eng/ media/documents/ https://www.tc.gc.ca/ municipalities andenvironmental region toanother. Generallyspeaking, of ZIPcommitteesvariesfrom one the St. Lawrence. Thecomposition restoration andenhancement of communities intheprotection, models, theinvolvementofshoreline mission istopromote, usinginnovative Zones (ZIP) committees.Itsmain Quebec’s PriorityIntervention profit organization thatbringstogether Strategies Saint-Laurent isanon- Do youknowyourZIP? Vignette sought bytheirarea’s residents. priorities forachievingtheresults reach aconsensusonintervention ZIP committeemembersworkto depending ontheissuesdiscussed. Companies participateingivenareas, groups are wellrepresented.
6 | Biodiversity: A Treasure Worth Protecting Navigation on the St. Lawrence Echo of the Past, Path to Future Navigation on the St. Lawrence
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28 6 • Empty out water and bilge Vignette water in the craft.
Did you know that throwing live bait, • Drain the water from the such as baitfish or crayfish, into a lake engine cooling system. is one way of introducing invasive aquatic species that can damage the • Do not throw live bait into the food chain and the local ecosystem? water. Throw it in the trash, freeze it or salt it for later use. Don’t bring invasive species with you! After leaving a body of water Before leaving a body of water • Remove any invasive species too • Carefully inspect your craft, small to be seen with the naked trailer, engine, fishing equipment eye by rinsing your craft, trailer and and all boating equipment the rest of your equipment with such as anchors and oars. hot water (over 40° C) using a high pressure water jet where possible. • Remove all aquatic plants, mollusks and crustaceans from your craft • Leave the craft and equipment to
Navigation on the St. Lawrence Echo of the Past, Path to Future Navigation on the St. Lawrence and throw them in the trash. sun dry for at least five days before
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entering another waterway. |
29 6 30 Navigation on the St. Lawrence Echo of the Past, Path to the Future met withtheappropriate response: and variationsinweatherhave been the hugescaleofitsestuary andgulf, St. Lawrence’s uniquechannelfeatures, formidable challengesposedbythe overshadow safetyconsiderations.The major economicimportancecannot economic corridor. Butevenissuesof symbol ofitsrole asNorth America’s component andthemostremarkable over centuries,isthemostingenious system ofcanalsandlocks,developed a vastpopulation.Itshighlycomplex prosperity andtheveryexistenceof of theSt. Lawrence arterysustains heart ofthecontinent,vitalcourse From theeconomicandgeographic on thediscoveriesmadealongway. The timehascometoanchorandreflect St. Lawrence Riverisdrawingtoanend. This exploratoryvoyageonthe Conclusion ensure thattheSt. Lawrence remains These principlesandpractices will Committee keepsconstantwatch. corridor, theNavigationCoordination navigation intheSt. Lawrence principles andpracticesofsustainable generated bythepromotion ofthe Aware oftheinterests andbenefits in accordance withtheirmeans. initiatives, whichmanycontributeto, benefit from theoutcomes ofthese A vast numberofrecreational boaters health iscontinuouslyimproving. efforts are notwasted:thewaterway’s stakeholders from allwalksoflife.Their benefits from thecommitmentof biodiversity, uniqueintheworld, The protection theSt. Lawrence’s Safety andprotection gohandinhand. of stakeholdersandresources. the mobilizationandorganization
7 | Conclusion 31 Navigation on the St. Lawrence Echo of the Past, Path to the Future Warning Networkat1-800-363-4735 . call theCanadaCoastGuard Alertand or ifyouwitnessaspill,immediately If youaccidentallypollutethewater Report aProblem Quebec andCanadatowards thefuture. St. Lawrence Riverisalsocarrying Atlantic andtheGreat Lakes,themajestic By bringingshipsintothewatersof has becomeoverthecenturies. the economicandsymbolichubit has adoptedthree strategic priorities Strategy. To thisend,thegovernment a keycomponentoftheMaritime the maritimeterritoryis,consequently, The protection oftheecosystems in habitat fordazzlingfloraandfauna. Quebec’s populationand provides a supplies drinkingwaterfornearly40% of its ecosystems.TheSt. Lawrence River on protecting themaritimeterritoryand this strategy, oneofwhichisfocused form partofthekeypolicydirections of Ecological andenvironmental issues build onitsknow-howandmarineassets. various stakeholders,tofully, sustainably in collaborationwiththemarinesector’s The MaritimeStrategywillenableQuébec, Vignette the safetyandhealthofpopulation: sustainability ofmarineresources and that willdirectly affect thequalityand Contribute • Improve • Protect • transport. related tomaritime against climatechange. and seawaterecosystems.
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7 | Conclusion Photo Credits • David Bolduc; The members of the Navigation Coordination Committee would like • Laetitia Joseph; to sincerely thank the individuals and organizations who authorized the • Simon Lebrun; publication of their beautiful photos in this guide, which would not have • Brendan Martin-Kapfer; been possible without their support: • Pierre Michon; • Canadian Coast Guard; • Louis Rhéaume; • Ministère des Transports, de la Mobilité durable et de l’Électrification des transports du Québec;
• Sociétés des traversiers du Québec;
• St. Lawrence Economic Development Council (SODES);
Navigation on the St. Lawrence Echo of the Past, Path to Future Navigation on the St. Lawrence • Transport Canada; Partners
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32 8 33 Navigation on the St. Lawrence Echo of the Past, Path to the Future • – – – – – – Stratégies Saint-Laurent :
Jean-Éric Turcotte; Alain Richard; Aurore Perot; Stephane Miller; Gérard Lafrenière; H. Boivin; – – –
David Gaspar–Winnercontest Nicolas Gagnon–Winnercontest Steve Deschênes–Winnercontest on theverticalstrip); (p. 20:3rd photofrom top 2012 Québec couleurnature from leftonthehorizontalstrip); Pointe auPère (p.2:1stphoto 2013; Québec couleurnature Gaspésie (cover:mainphoto); 2012; Québec couleurnature – – –
Dominique Carbonneau– Lucie Tremblay –Winnercontest Jocelyn Praud–Winner contest from leftonthehorizontal strip). 2012(p.32:2ndphoto nature Winner contest Québeccouleur 2012(p.28); Québec couleurnature on theverticalstrip); (p. 22:1stphotofrom top 2013 Québec couleurnature
8 | Partners © Her Majesty the Queen in right of Canada – 2017 © Gouvernement du Québec – 2017 Catalogue No. T22-236/2017E-PDF ISBN: 978-2-550-77589-8 (printed) ISBN: 978-2-550-77591-1 (PDF) Navigation on the Corporation des pilotes du Saint-Laurent central Aussi disponible en français sous le titre : St. Lawrence, ÉcoMaris La navigation sur le Saint-Laurent : un écho du Echo of the Past… passé, une voie d’avenir Environment and Climate Path to the Future Change Canada This document is the outcome of a Fisheries and Oceans Canada project initiated by the Navigation Coordination Committee, whose Green Marine mission is to promote sustainable Laurentian Pilotage Authority commercial and recreational navigation, meaning navigation that Les Amis de la vallée du Saint-Laurent meets economic, environmental and Ministère des Forêts, de la Faune social sustainability objectives. et des Parc du Québec This guide was created Ministère du Développement durable, de through the collaboration of the l’Environnement et de la Lutte contre les following organizations: changements climatiques du Québec Co-chairs Ministère du Tourisme du Québec Ministère des Transports, de la Montréal Port Authority Mobilité durable et de l’Électrification Quebec Sailing Federation des transports du Québec Nature Québec Transport Canada Réseau d’observation des Members mammifères marins (ROMM) Association maritime du Québec Shipping Federation of Canada Canadian Coast Guard St. Lawrence Economic Development Council (SODES) Canadian Power and Sail Squadrons St. Lawrence Shipoperators Corporation des pilotes du 34 Bas Saint-Laurent Stratégies Saint-Laurent