Towards a precautionary approach to management

In 1998, the Saguenay—St. Lawrence Marine Park, scientists and tour operators proposed:

• impose a moratorium on the further development of the industry
• issue permits for excursion operators
• diversify the contents of excursions
• improve educational programs aboard boats

Since 2002, the Marine Activities Regulations control whale watching within the confines of the Saguenay–St. Lawrence Marine Park.

Whale watching: GREMM’s position

Some 10 000 years ago, as the Wisconsin glacier was receding, whales were already swimming in the St. Lawrence. But for most QuÈbecers, whales only appeared on the scene 15 years ago with the birth of the whale watching industry. In 1971, The Zoological Society of Montreal offered its members the first whale watching cruises along the Estuary, but it was only in 1983 that the industry began to take off; that year, eight boats took some 20 000 visitors to meet the whales. At the time, the beauty of the shimmering sea, a flaming sunset or a lone whale were good reasons to prolong the cruise. Since then, the number of boats has multiplied to such an extent that in 2003, about 50 boats took a total of 400 000 visitors out on the Estuary. Today, itís more the colour of money, than that of the sunset that dictates the length of each cruise. Whale watching in the area of the new Saguenay–St. Lawrence Marine Park generates over 55 million dollars each year. At this scale, can we still speak of "ecotourism"?

This craze does have a downside. While the industry is raising awareness among thousands of visitors about the fragility of the St. Lawrence and its aquatic giants, is its development occurring at the expense of the whales, the very beings to whom it owes its existence? Can we hope to preserve the educational value of these cruises as visitors begin to wonder about the effects of so many boats on the whales? In fact, many visitors are beginning to wonder if so many cruises are a good idea.

These concerns were voiced publicly by the administration of the Marine Park when it invited 160 industry members to take part in the Regional Workshop on Whale-watching Activities at Sea on May 25 and 26, 1998, in Tadoussac. Several countries have already adopted regulations with regard to the number and type of boats used, cruise schedules as well as distances and speed limits to be respected when a whale has been spotted. In the St. Lawrence, since 1990, a proposes guidelines on how to approach whales. During the consultations that preceded the workshop, it was agreed that the voluntary code of ethics in place was not enough to ensure the protection of cetaceans. New solutions were proposed: impose a moratorium on the further development of the industry; reduce the number of boats at observation sites; create an association of boat operators; issue permits for excursion operators; certify captains; modify cruise schedules; diversify activities for visitors; and develop educational programs to be offered aboard boats or improve those already in place. It was also agreed that a management plan be set up in the fall of 1998 to ensure the harmonious co-existence of whales and the whale-watching industry. This approach led to the adoption, in March 2002, of regulations for whale watching in the Saguenay–St. Lawrence Marine Park.

Whale watching tours, accessible to the wider public, are a form of ecotourism with the power to fascinate and educate. The new principles of the precautionary approach to management will allow this industry to continue to educate thousands of people about the protection of our oceans ó one of the most important challenges of our time.