Visitor's Guide 2014 Saguenay-St. Lawrence Marine Park
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marinepark.qc.ca The Saguenay–st. Lawrence Marine Park covers an area of 1,245 km2. The park protects a marine area endowed with an exceptional Visitor’s diversity of wildlife and plant life. More than 1,300 wild species have been sighted within its boundaries, ranging GUIDE from microscopic algae to the gigantic blue whale. 2014 Renowned for its scenic landscapes, the park is also one of the world’s best places for whale watching. To believe it, you've got to live it, at sea and on land! Parks Canada / J.-L. Provencher Parks Canada / J.-L. LIVE THE EXPERIENCE AT SEA ! LIVE THE EXPERIENCE ON LAND ! Parks Canada / M. Loiselle Parks Canada / M. Loiselle Canada / M. Parcs Parks Canada: 1-888-773-8888 • parkscanada.gc.ca | Parcs Québec: 1-800-665-6527 • sepaq.com 1 THE "MUST-DOS" WHALE-WATCHING BY BOAT PURPOSE OF THE What fun it is to hear a whale blow or catch a glimpse MARINE PARK of this incredible animal at the water’s surface! From aboard a boat, take in the fascinating spectacle of marine Recognizing the importance of animals. Get ready for a seaside experience in the protecting the environment, wildlife, kingdom of whales, seals and seabirds. Select the type plant life, and natural resources of excursion best suited to you. of a part of the Saguenay Fjord See pages 3 to 5. 1 and St. Lawrence River estuary, the WHALE-WATCHING governments of Quebec and Canada created, together with public support, FRoM ShoRe the Saguenay–St. Lawrence Marine Park. While out walking, biking or driving along the marine park shorelines, keep your eyes peeled and your ears The Marine Park’s mission is to open! You might well glimpse or hear belugas, minke or increase ecosystem protection fin whales as well as harbour porpoises all hugging the coast. Some surprises in store for you in a range of levels for conservation purposes, locations, starting from Baie-Sainte-Catherine and for the benefit of present and future extending to Les Escoumins, with the sacré-cœur generations, while encouraging its sector in between. use for educational, recreational and See the Discovery Network section (pages 8 to 13). 2 scientific purposes. DISCOVERY ACTIVITIES Activities in the Marine Park are regulated with a view to ensuring To satisfy your thirst for knowledge, take part in any one of several activities on offer. Enthusiastic guide- the sustainable use of this area and interpreters and fascinating exhibits will give you some its resources. Regional stakeholders valuable insights into the many facets of the marine park. contribute to achieving the marine These helpful resources will tell you the full story of park’s objectives. marine life, ranging from starfish to sharks, along with the history of local lighthouses and Aboriginal populations. See the Discovery Network (pages 8 to 14). 3 KAYAKING Whether you go out paddling with a professional guide or on your own, sea-kayaking is a great way to appreciate the marine park’s beauty and sprawling spaces. When YOUR prepared with care, a kayaking outing offers you the pleasures of the great outdoors in complete safety. SAFeTY: For an excursion lasting several days, take advantage of the campsites located along the edges of the park. YOUR See pages 3 and 6. 4 RESPONSIBILITY SPECTACULAR VISTAS Outdoor activities can involve certain risks. On foot or by car or bicycle, discover the numerous Make sure that you have the skills and viewpoints out over the Saguenay Fjord and the St. abilities required for the activity you choose. Lawrence Estuary. Once you begin to admire the sights It is important to know the risks inherent to along the shoreline, listen to the crash of waves on the this activity, to respect your limits and to use beach and breathe in the salt air, it won’t be long before appropriate equipment. you’ve left the daily grind behind you. Located in the immediate vicinity of the marine park, the Discovery Network guarantees you a real change of scenery (pages 8 to 14). 2 5 EXPERIENCE THE SEA ! 6 Whether you are looking for adventure or a quiet tour on the water, you will be delighted. Choose the type of boat and excursion that suits you best and take the full measure of wide WHAT YOU NEED open spaces. each sea outing is unique! even during summer, it is colder on water than on land. Warm, comfortable TO HELP YOU CHOOSE Regardless of the type of boat you choose, clothing is recommended. your captain will stay within regulated speeds Marine tour companies have many and respect the approach distances and For outings on a boat, we suggest: watercraft types and sizes. Contact the speeds to be maintained in the vicinity of • Long pants and closed shoes marine tour providers to determine which whales. However, whales can sometimes • hat, gloves and scarf products best suit your needs. unexpectedly emerge near a boat. • Windbreaker or raincoat GUIDED EXCURSIONS Your captain knows what to do in such • Sunscreen and sunglasses Marine tour captains and guides have sound circumstances. When sea-kayaking, your • Camera knowledge of the marine environment. They guide will make sure you keep to the proper • Binoculars can put that knowledge at your service and distances and navigate in complete safety. answer your questions. Follow your guide… Marine Activities in the Saguenay–St. Lawrence DISTANCE Marine Park Regulations ½ nautical mile = 926 meters Developed in partnership with the marine SPEED tour companies, the regulations provide a 3 knots = 5.56 km/h = 3.45 mph framework for the activities practiced in 10 knots = 18.52 km/h = 11.50 mph the Marine Park. The regulations indicate 3 25 knots = 46.30 km/h = 28.70 mph the maximum navigation speed permitted throughout the park, as well as the In the event of any disparity, the text distances and speeds to be respected of the Regulations shall take precedence when marine mammals are present over the information presented in this (see table). All watercraft in the Marine guide. Park must comply with these regulations. * Under certain conditions, marine tour Boat captains and sea-kayaking guides permit-holders (i.e., whale watching of organizations with marine tour permits vessels) are allowed to come as close must pass the Parks Canada regulations as 100 m of whales other than belugas course. and blue whales. That four large migrating whales can be seen in the Marine Park in the summer: they are the minke whale, the fin whale, the humpback whale and the blue whale. Did you know...? The beluga whale and harbour seal are the only marine mammals that spend the entire year in the St. Lawrence estuary. Can you tell which is which? 3 EXPERIENCE THE SEA BY BOAT 7 Croisières AML Croisière Personnalisée Saguenay 1-800-563-4643 croisieresaml.com 418-608-8058 ou 418-272-2739 croisieresaguenay.ca Lose yourself in a different way with Croisières AML! Live For 24 years, customized high-end cruises focused an exceptional experience on board the best observation on contemplation, according to a private or combined boats in Canada in the company of certified bilingual approach (6 people maximum), thus ensuring you a guide-naturalists who will let you feel their passion for personal, distinctive and rewarding experience on the marine mammals! majestic Saguenay Fjord. Leave from Tadoussac, Baie-Sainte-Catherine, Rivière-du-Loup Leave from L’anse-saint-Jean Croisières Groupe Dufour* / Croisières Charlevoix EXPERIENCE ON A SAILING VESSEL 1-800-463-5250 / dufour.ca / baleines.ca 1-866-638-1483 * Be at the forefront in discovering the whales and the upper estuary of the St. Lawrence River in the company of our experienced guide-naturalists. Only our cruises offer 5-heart service, and guaranteed unforgettable moments. Leave from Tadoussac, Baie-Sainte-Catherine, Saint-Siméon 8 Les Croisières du Fjord Damacha – École de voile croisière 418-543-7630 / croisieresdufjord.com 1-866-278-5355 damacha.qc.ca 1-800-363-7248 Croisières du Fjord offers the most stunning gateway to the discovery Damacha trains sailboat sailors of any level. From Tadoussac, cruise of the Saguenay Fjord, its highest capes, Notre-Dame-du-Saguenay, the fjord, the estuary and the gulf. You can help collect information the villages, their histories and their attractions. for the réseau d’observation de mammifères marins (ROMM) [the Marine Mammal Observation Network]. Leave from La Baie, Sainte-Rose-du-Nord, Rivière-Éternité, L’anse-saint-Jean and Tadoussac Leave from Tadoussac Société Duvetnor Voile Mercator 1-877-867-1660 pharedupot.com 1-888-674-9309 voilemercator.com Guided and informative excursions based on observation and Navigate by sail on the St. Lawrence and the Saguenay Fjord. discovery of the St. Lawrence. Remarkable biological diversity, seal 3 to 7 hours initiation excursions and 2 to 5 days sailing courses. haulouts, cliffs teeming with sea birds, belugas and visits to historic sites. Accredited by Sail Canada and Aventure Écotourisme Québec. Leave from Rivière-du-Loup Leave from La Baie, Rivière-Éternité, L’anse-saint-Jean, Tadoussac Marine excursion businesses, Parcs Québec, Parks Canada and the Group for Research and education on Marine Mammals (GReMM) joined forces to found the eco-Whale Alliance. Their objective is to ensure that whale-watching in the marine park is conducted responsibly and in keeping with the principles of sustainable development. Member businesses have adopted a charter that sets out their commitments as part of this Alliance. The charter is posted on the premises of members as well as on www.eco-baleine.ca. Take a few minutes to read it and support compliance with these commitments.