Recreation and Tourism on the Saint-Lawrence

Introduction Pleasure Boating and Cruising Water Sports Fresh Water Sport Fishing Hunting Ecotourism Selected Bibliography

Tourism on the Saint-Lawrence River is quite popular with a plethora of activities in which to participate in such as: boating, canoeing, sight-seeing, hunting, fishing, and cruising. However, if one does not like outdoor activities, there are many cities, towns, and villages to visit along the river. Each with their own unique heritage.

Recreation and tourism generates more than $3 billion in economic spin-off annually.

The St. Lawrence River is integral to the socio-economic development of the people who live on it. Most of the tourist or recreational events and sites remain close to the river or on one of its many tributaries. Although most vacationers come to enjoy the natural beauty of the region, some come to see the rich history, while others come to visit cities like Montréal or Québec for their many restaurants, bars, sites, and events.

Recreation and tourism generates more than $3 billion in economic spin-off annually. Hence, the river and its banks are of profound importance to Canadians and visitors to discover. This can explain why many locations like the Old Port of Montréal have been redeveloped to draw tourist dollars. Several municipalities have capitalized, with more or less success, on touristic activities to supplement their economy.

Over 40,000 crafts occupy the waters of the St. Lawrence River.

Canadians make up only 6,4% of the total number of passengers from international cruises.

Boat excursions are filled mostly by Quebecois.

Over 40,000 crafts occupy the waters of the St. Lawrence River in the summer. Sailboats and motorboats can meander almost every part of the waterway, alongside cruise ships and freighters. There are many cities and towns to spend the night or visit. In total, there are 52 marinas, 30 wharves, and 175 launching ramps scattered along the St. Lawrence river.

Cruise tourism is a growing business along the Saint-Lawrence for many reasons. One can look at National Wildlife areas, parks, migratory bird sanctuaries, whales, cities, towns, and villages. Cruise tourism can be divided into three section; international cruises, boat excursions, and ferries.

25% to 30% of Canadian and American tourists are drawn to the St. Lawrence by its outdoor activities. A large number of these tourists go on cruises to visit Montréal and Québec . However, more and more people have come to nature watch. Canadians make-up only 6,4% of the total number of passengers. The spin-off amount to about $20 million; but most of the money goes aforementioned metropolises because most cruise ships stop at these two ports.

Boat excursions are more popular to Quebecois, accounting for 76% of the total. There are 30 companies using 50 vessels for short tours, nature watching, whale watching, dinner and entertainment cruises, overnight cruises, port infrastructure tours, recreational spots, vacation spots, package tours, and sites. More than 600,000 people go on boat excursions annually.

Ferries are used in places where bridges are not or cannot be built. In total, 21 ferries exist on the St. Lawrence River (14 seasonal). Ferries are play a key role in tourism enhancing a person's vision of the waterway with the beauty of the whales within.

The river is ideal for many water sports; however, many spots are restricted from use because of the high amount of bacteriological pollution.

The river is perfect for activities such as: wind-surfing, kayaking, water-skiing, canoeing, skin diving, and swimming. There are areas along the river which are perfect for setting up beaches; however, many places are not suitable for certain activities because of threats posed by bacteriological pollution. In fact, the cause of pollution is directly linked with the public's fascination with the waterfront.

Resort facilities, cottages, summer homes have degraded the environment, polluted the water, and destroyed aquatic environments. The ad hoc approach to development beginning in the 1930's has made the river too polluted to enter in many places. However, the damage is not permanent. Clean-up efforts are being attempted at present, and hopefully, most of the river will open up to the public once again.

Fishing on the St. Lawrence is mostly concentrated near Montreal.

There are approximately 95 species of aquatic fauna.

Sport fishing along the Saint-Lawrence accounts for 16% of the total amount in Quebec and 9% of the fish caught. It is difficult to measure the economic benefit; however, sport fishing in the Lake-Saint-Pierre region alone generates approximately $5 million directly and $70 million indirectly. Fishing is mostly concentrated near Montréal. In total 85% of all fishermen live near the area and catch 80% of the freshwater catches of the river.

There are approximately 95 species of aquatic fauna on the river. Nevertheless, fisherman primary focus on, Northern pike, Yellow perch, Muskellunge and Atlantic tomcod. Most of the fish are caught from shore, small crafts, and wharves and still use the angling method in most instances.

Waterfowl is the most sought after game on the river.

Waterfowl is the most sought after game by hunters, with particular attention given to migratory birds such as: dappling ducks (54% of the harvest), diving ducks (22%), geese and Canada geese (15%), and sea ducks (10%). Hunting is very popular in the region generating close to $87 million dollars in spin-off.

Ecotourism is a growing sector.

Whale-watching is by far the most important part of ecotourism.

Ecotourism is a growing form of recreation on the St. Lawrence. It is an important sector because it provides an ecological approach rather than consumptive one. In addition, over $635 million is spent on observations, photographs, research, and feeding fauna. The most popular activities are marine mammal-watching, particularly whale-watching and bird-watching. Natural landscapes watching is another area grabbing the attention of tourists with merit. The St. Lawrence River has many awesome hydrographic and geomorphologic attributes, accompanied with human history and character. In short, a trip to the St. Lawrence is a trip well spent.

• St. Lawrence Centre. (1996). State of the Environment Report on the St. Lawrence River. Volume 1:The St. Lawrence Ecosystem. Montreal: Environment Canada- Quebec Region, Environmental Conservation, and Editions MultiMondes.

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