The St. Lawrence Estuary: A Vital Habitat for Whales, Seen from Above and Below
KÖBB Media was mandated by Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) to produce a short documentary about the St. Lawrence Estuary and the conservation efforts being made there. This unique ecosystem is a sanctuary for iconic marine mammals such as the blue whale, the fin whale, and the beluga. This video highlights the importance of DFO’s conservation efforts in the face of ongoing threats, such as the reduction of prey and disturbances caused by maritime traffic.
A Drone-Captured Documentary
Several sequences of the video were filmed using drones, in compliance with current laws and regulations, and after obtaining the necessary permits. KÖBB Media is recognized for its expertise in drone capturing, both aerial and underwater. Our award-winning pilot uses these technologies to capture unique footage that highlights the beauty of marine ecosystems.
Thanks to the aerial drone, we were able to capture striking images of belugas in their natural environment. The use of an underwater drone allowed us to capture unprecedented underwater footage in the St. Lawrence Estuary, revealing the hidden richness of this fragile and precious environment.
Please note that without a special flight permit in the St. Lawrence Estuary and the Saguenay River, the Marine Mammal Regulations of Canada stipulate that a drone must maintain a minimum distance of 400 meters from threatened or endangered whales, dolphins, and porpoises, and 200 meters from all whales, dolphins, and porpoises.
Jacinthe Beauchamp’s Expertise: Insight into Marine Mammal Conservation in the St. Lawrence Estuary
Jacinthe Beauchamp, Team Lead for Marine Planning and Conservation at Fisheries and Oceans Canada, made a valuable contribution to the documentary with her in-depth knowledge of the status of marine mammal populations in the St. Lawrence Estuary. Her insights shed light on the challenges these species face and emphasize the crucial importance of conservation efforts. Her passion and expertise enriched the documentary content, providing the public with a deeper understanding of the current environmental issues.
Credits and Acknowledgements
Some of the scientific footage used in this project was filmed by scientists from the Maurice-Lamontagne Institute of Fisheries and Oceans Canada, while other footage comes from an expedition led by Oceana Canada, captured with the ROPOS. The images of humpback whales and most of the blue whale footage were generously provided by the Mingan Research Station. The image of the beluga pod with calves was graciously provided by the Marine Mammal Research and Education Group. The underwater image of the marine worm was taken by Jean-Christophe Lemay, a renowned photographer.
Médias KÖBB: Approved Video Production Supplier for the Government of Canada
Médias KÖBB Video Production is an approved supplier of video production services for the Government of Canada, specializing in high-quality audiovisual services under a federal procurement arrangement, including work with departments such as Fisheries and Oceans Canada and Environment and Climate Change Canada.
