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Marine Park zoning 

A balancing act between protection and exploitation

Preliminary zoning of the Saguenay—St. Lawrence Marine Park. Zone I: dark grey, Zone II: light grey, Zone III: everywhere else, except Zone IV: dotted white lines.

Marine Park zoning: a balancing act between protection and exploitation

This spring, the Saguenay—St. Lawrence Marine Park team held its first main stakeholder consultations pertaining to its zoning plan. This plan will be a reference for the management of various activities within Marine Park boundaries. The essence of the plan is to find balance between protection of Marine Park ecosystems and the use of its resources.

Representatives from all activity sectors in each of the administrative regions that border the Marine Park were requested to attend daylong workshops. Commercial and sport fishermen, hunters, pleasure-boaters, shipping representatives, kayak tour companies, outdoor tourism representatives, interpretation representatives, tour boat operators, research groups and environmental groups were all present.

The Marine Park team had elaborated a preliminary zoning plan that was essentially based on conservation priorities. For example, the critical habitats of endangered species, such as the beluga whale and the harbour seal, or of those that have a key function in the ecosystem, such as capelin and herring, were given first priority. The plan included four types of zones. A given area could be ascribed different “labels” depending on time of year or position in the water column. What follows is an overview of

  • Zone I protects unique, rare or fragile components such as beluga whale intensive use areas (herds of adults and young), spawning grounds, harbour seal haul-out sites or seabird nesting sites. Public access is prohibited. Certain activities, such as research, may be carried out with proper authorization.
  • Zone II provides for the acute protection of other areas. Knowledge acquisition programmes and several other compatible activities are allowed, such as sport fishing, whale watching and pleasure boating.
  • Zone III represents the entire Marine Park where there are no Zones I and II. Ecologically viable activities are permitted.
  • Zone IV covers existing shipping lanes.

    A lot of work remains to be accomplished before the zoning plan becomes a reality. The priorities of the Marine Park have been made clear; it is now time to identify original solutions to strike a balance between protection objectives and stakeholder use. Quite a challenge! Several representatives and stakeholders who work in the field have voiced concerns about the candidness of the process and the true impact their comments may have on the final zoning plan. GREMM representatives participated in the evening information sessions and workshops. It appeared to us, and to several other participants, that the Marine Park team were engaged in a true consultation process that should lead to a dialogue similar to the one that led to the elaboration of the Marine Activities in the Saguenay—St. Lawrence Marine Park Regulations. If all targeted groups participate, our bet is that the Marine Park will be equipped with a final zoning plan that all of its creators—managers as well as stakeholders—can be proud of.

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