When it comes to whales, how can we remain optimistic about the future?

How is it possible not to simply give up?

“It’s easy to feel a sense of despair when working with a population considered threatened since 1983 and recently uplisted to endangered. My motivation comes from the actions taken over the past few years that are helping belugas in a concrete way. My bet is that, through science, we can speed things up and enhance their protection,” explains Mr. Michaud.

St. Lawrence belugas spend their entire lives in these waters. The Saguenay-St. Lawrence Marine Park plays a pivotal role in the protection of their populations. For example, it is forbidden to operate personal watercraft, fly over the Marine Park at an altitude of less than 2,000 feet or land within its boundaries, fly a drone for recreational purposes or practise any type of towed water sport. A distance of 400 m is also in force between ships and endangered species, including the beluga. This measure was deemed so pertinent that it is now in effect throughout the Estuary.

In fact, females can be wonderful “babysitters” for the offspring of other females in their group, thereby providing added security.

The narwhal first observed in the St. Lawrence in 2016 is still keeping company with the belugas that have accepted it like one of their own. Observed again this year, this individual seems to be adapting to the lifestyle of its “cousins”. Once again, observing this oddity provides insight into the social relations of belugas and how whales are able to adapt.

Though not discussed in the recent announcements, these marine territories would be a good way to establish acoustic refuges. Noise pollution is a major threat to the St. Lawrence beluga population. Such protected places would offer these whales sanctuary for communication, orientation, feeding and socialization.

This administrative measure allows territories that are being considered for the preservation of their marine ecosystems to be exempt from industrial activities before they are officially designated as a reserve, which is a lengthy process. Concretely, “mining, oil and gas activities as well as the exploitation of hydroelectric power and any commercial or industrial energy production” are prohibited in these areas, mentioned Quebec’s Ministry of the Environment and Climate Change.

“Bernard Émond believed that ‘Beauty can save the world.’ Indeed, there is great beauty in taking action for conservation, even if the immediate outcome of the efforts is unknown,” says biologist Robert Michaud. This beauty is not only present in these enigmatic mammals that have the gift of moving us, but also in the actions of each person who strives to protect our planet and its inhabitants.

“Despite the difficulties we faced this year, citizens everywhere continued to mobilize to protect the environment. Major victories have been scored, such as the confirmation by the Supreme Court of Canada of the legitimacy of protecting the chorus frog and all endangered species, and Quebec reaching its target of setting aside 17% of its territory in the form of protected areas. Nature Québec is confident that with the population’s support, we will be able to chalk up many more achievements in 2021 to combat the biodiversity and climate crises,” mentions Alice-Anne Simard, executive director of Nature Québec, a nature conservation organization.

By staying current about what is happening in the whales’ world, we can make informed choices.

We must continue to believe that a brighter future is possible. New challenges are emerging, but marine mammals have shown us that they can adapt, and that alone is enough to maintain hope.