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As soon as you arrive on the north shore of the St. Lawrence River, you
will notice the omnipresence of the sea as well as numerous opportunities
for cruises and nautical excursions. This cold saltwatersea, created by
the St. Lawrence Gulf and Estuary, is rich in seafood, fish, and plankton
— a much sought-after source of food by marine mammals. Because of
the numerous observation sites and of the 13 species of whales found in
the
St. Lawrence River, the great Manicouagan region, renowned as one of the
best in the world,
witnesses magnificent aquatic choreographies interpreted by the whales.
Long ignored, they have become the flagship product for the entire cruise
industry.
Abandoning its rowboats in the early 1980s, the whale watching industry
has grown into a specialized fleet with professionals and guide-interpreters
for marine mammal watching and cruises in the Saguenay Fjord and on the
St. Lawrence River. Today, spacious 600-passenger boats, or comfortable
and safe inflatable boats holding up to 30 passengers offer excursions
for every taste. Most departures are from the Saguenay–St. Lawrence
Marine Park, and cruise operators are subject to whale watching regulations
designed to preserve this St. Lawrence River wealth.
Be on the look-out for the spectacular arrival of a humpback or sperm whale
with its massive head, ride alongside a mink or fin whale, experience touching
moments thanks to the dolphins, porpoises and numerous colonies of seals,
and have the privilege of admiring a blue whale, something almost out of
the imaginary given its humongous size, and see this 30-metre long and
120-ton creature gracefully wave to you with its tail before diving.
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The Saguenay–St.
Lawrence Marine Park
The Saguenay–St. Lawrence Marine Park’s mandate is to preserve
the species and ecosystems of a portion of the St. Lawrence Estuary
and of the Saguenay Fjord. In addition to this important mission, the
Marine Park is an impressive environment for learning and becoming aware
of this fascinating heritage. This conservation park is unique because
of its exclusively marine environment. It covers an area of over 1,138
km2, including a representative portion of the northern half of the
St.Lawrence Estuary and over two-thirds of the Saguenay Fjord.
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