Possible Solutions

Researchers recommend reducing ship noise to avoid disturbing whales. They have stressed the importance of adopting measures to cut back on underwater noise created by shipping activities in saltwater ports and changing shipping routes to avoid crossing whale habitat. Certain sectors of the gulf where right whales are common have been closed to lobster and crab fishing to reduce the risk of entanglement in fishing gear. To prevent ship strikes, the Government of Canada has imposed speed restrictions in areas with high right whale densities. Whale watching boats are also required to remain more than 400 m away from the animals.

In the event of an oil spill, seabirds would be especially vulnerable. If feathers become coated in oil, they lose their waterproof qualities. Birds with oil-covered plumage are unable to fly or swim.

Pollutants in the water are absorbed by plankton, which is then eaten by fish, which in turn are eaten by seabirds. Through the process of bioaccumulation, these toxins become more concentrated as they pass along the food chain.

To avoid contaminating the waters of the St. Lawrence, great care must be taken during transshipment operations at the wharf. This is when many small oil spills tend to occur.

These birds, which tend to gather in flocks on the river and along its banks, would be severely affected by water contamination.

In 2000, the maritime industry implemented voluntary speed restrictions in the areas most vulnerable to erosion. When ships move more slowly, they generate less intense wave action, which strips less soil from the shoreline. This measure has been adopted by most navigators. After three years of monitoring, the rate of shoreline erosion in some areas has been seen to decrease by 45%.

These birds nest in colonies in marshes, where they build floating nests out of aquatic plants. Measures to control water levels in the river have contributed to drying out these wetlands. This has greatly affected breeding success for certain bird species, including the black tern.

Ducks need wetlands to feed and reproduce.

If the shipping channel is dredged any deeper, these habitats will disappear as the lake dries out. This would greatly reduce biodiversity.

Frogs serve as indicator species, as they are highly sensitive to environmental contaminants. Their skin rapidly absorbs any toxins in their habitat.