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Through their behaviour and the messages they convey to their clients, captains and naturalists working aboard whale-watching boats have an impact on whales. GREMM has elaborated the weekly Portraits of whales bulletin; a continuous training and exchange tool that is accessible to the general public, but which is aimed specifically at captains and naturalists working on the St. Lawrence Estuary. The purpose of the bulletin is to favour greater adherence of industry members, pleasure boaters and the general public to conservation objectives and to the various marine mammal protection strategies in the region. Portraits of whales sums up whale sightings in the Estuary, ongoing research projects and actions being taken to protect the whales of the St. Lawrence. It also includes tricks on how to ensure great sightings or how to enrich the work of naturalists, who represent an essential link between the whales and the general public. Everyone connected to the whale-watching industry participates. Captains and naturalists working in the Estuary share their encounters with animals and their impressions of the events of the season. Researchers working in the Estuary explain projects that are underway. The Saguenay—St. Lawrence Marine Park contributes interesting articles on a regular basis. Portraits of whales acts as a living link between people working in the fields of conservation, research and the whale-watching industry, enabling them to come together for the sustainable and respectful development of whale watching. Portraits of whales is available on the Whales-online Internet site. |