Mammifères marins
The St. Lawrence Estuary (Québec, Canada) was the birthplace of organised whale watching activities on the east coast of North America. Initially, fin whales (Balaenoptera physalus) were the main target species. The creation of the Saguenay–St. Lawrence Marine Park enabled to regulate whale watching...
| Published in: | Le Naturaliste canadien |
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| Main Authors: | , , , |
| Format: | Article in Journal/Newspaper |
| Language: | French |
| Published: |
La Société Provancher d'histoire naturelle du Canada
2018
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| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://www.erudit.org/fr/revues/natcan/2018-v142-n2-natcan03735/1047150ar.pdf https://www.erudit.org/fr/revues/natcan/2018-v142-n2-natcan03735/1047150ar.pdf https://doi.org/10.7202/1047150ar https://id.erudit.org/iderudit/1047150ar https://www.erudit.org/fr/revues/natcan/2018-v142-n2-natcan03735/1047150ar/ http://id.erudit.org/iderudit/1047150ar https://academic.microsoft.com/#/detail/2807738670 |
| Summary: | The St. Lawrence Estuary (Québec, Canada) was the birthplace of organised whale watching activities on the east coast of North America. Initially, fin whales (Balaenoptera physalus) were the main target species. The creation of the Saguenay–St. Lawrence Marine Park enabled to regulate whale watching activities in the area and to adopt specific regulations. For management purposes, a sampling protocol was developed to monitor the activity. Data collected aboard large boats (> 50 passengers) during 1186 excursions departing from Tadoussac from 1994 to 2017 were analysed to characterize the target species and territory use over time. Since 2001, the main target species has changed and a marked decrease in the local density of fin whales has been observed. The fin whale was the most targeted species during 15 of the 24 years, followed by the minke whale (Balaenoptera acutorostrata, 6 years) and the humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae, 3 years). A partitioning analysis allowed the identification of years with similar patterns based on the species observed and on spatial distribution variables. Long-term continuity of the sampling protocol, in conjunction with systematic monitoring, will help to better understand this ecosystem and ensure adaptive management and sustainable development of the whale watching activities. Sur la côte est de l’Amérique du Nord, c’est dans l’estuaire du Saint-Laurent, et en ciblant principalement le rorqual commun (Balaenoptera physalus), que l’activité organisée d’observation des baleines a pris naissance. L’encadrement de l’activité a été possible par la création du parc marin du Saguenay–Saint-Laurent et la mise en place d’une réglementation. Un protocole d’échantillonnage a été mis au point pour assurer le suivi des activités d’observation en mer (AOM) des cétacés. Afin de caractériser les espèces ciblées et l’utilisation du territoire, 1186 excursions échantillonnées à bord des grands bateaux de Tadoussac, de 1994 à 2017, ont été analysées. Depuis 2001, il y a eu un changement ... |
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