From Participation to Management: Coconstructing Sustainable Practices in the Saint Lawrence Beluga Habitat

The Saint Lawrence Beluga population ( Delphinapterus leucas ), classified as an endangered species since 2014, continues to decline despite various recovery efforts. A growing concern is the impact of recreational boating on this population. Although the stress caused by boat noise and presence is well documented, the regulation and management of recreational boating remain inadequately addressed. To actively advance the dialogue on this important issue, we engaged stakeholders through focus groups to collaboratively explore challenges and develop effective solutions for fostering harmonious coexistence between recreational boating and belugas in the Saguenay–Saint Lawrence region. Through thematic analysis, we identified three key areas of concern: (1) ‘gaps in knowledge and communication’, (2) ‘challenges in surveillance and legitimate intervention’ and (3) ‘conflicts of use and rule resistance’. Additionally, a fourth theme emerged centred on potential solutions: ‘paths to collaborative stewardship’. This study offers new insights into the complexities of managing the coexistence of recreational boating and the beluga whale population, while paving the way towards solutions based on an integrated approach that values communication, legitimacy and shared responsibility as essential conservation tools alongside surveillance and enforcement.