Sharing the waters: Application of a marine spatial planning approach to conserve and restore the acoustic habitat of endangered beluga whales (Delphinapterus leucas) in and around the Saguenay–St. Lawrence Marine Park

• Published in: Marine pollution bulletin 2022-02, Vol.175, p.113325-113325, Article 113325
• Main Authors: Ménard, Nadia, Turgeon, Samuel, Conversano, Manuela, Martins, Cristiane C.A.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Acoustics; Animals; Anthropogenic factors; Anthropogenic underwater noise; Aquatic mammals; Beluga Whale; Coastal environments; Coastal zone; Cohabitation; Compliance management; Conservation; Conservation areas; Delphinapterus leucas; Disturbance; Ecosystem; Ecotourism; Environmental planning; Environmental restoration; Estuaries; Estuarine dynamics; Habitats; Industrial areas; Marine mammal habitat conservation; Marine mammals; Marine parks; Marine protected areas; Marine resources; Place-based conservation measures; Shipping; Ships; Spatial planning; Underwater; Underwater noise; Vessels; Whale-watching; Whales; Whales & whaling
• ISSN: 0025-326X; 1879-3363
• DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2022.113325

Anthropogenic underwater noise degrades the quality of whale habitats, affecting vital functions which may compromise the recovery of species at risk exposed to chronic vessel-based activities. The endangered St. Lawrence Estuary (SLE) beluga (Delphinapterus leucas) lives downstream from industrial activities in a highly accessible coastal environment. Many approaches were deployed in the Saguenay–St. Lawrence Marine Park to address the issue of cohabitation between whales and vessels. Place-based conservation measures aimed at protecting and restoring the tranquility of key areas of SLE beluga critical habitat by managing vessel-based activities were implemented through a marine spatial planning approach. They involved protecting the quietness of the South Channel by avoiding rerouting shipping, establishing of a regulatory area closure in Baie Sainte-Marguerite and of a beluga conservation area without commercial whale-watching in the Upper SLE. Compliance monitoring show that these efforts are effective to enhance the protection and restoration of the acoustic habitat. •Cohabitation between marine mammals and vessel-based activities is a key issue.•Place-based conservation was designed through marine spatial planning.•Sound science and stakeholder participation are key to MSP.•Compliance monitoring show that conservation measures are effective.•Increasing tranquility areas may provide more resilience to the endangered beluga.