Boating with whales: Exploring values, knowledge and behaviors of recreational boaters in the St. Lawrence Estuary and Saguenay Fjord using Q-methodology

Abstract

The whales of the St. Lawrence Estuary in Quebec, Canada, including the resident beluga (Delphinapterus leucas) population, classified as endangered and continuing to decline, face many threats of anthropogenic origins, in particular underwater noise generated by boat engines. In order to better understand the impact of recreational boating on the St. Lawrence region and the marine species that live there, we used the Q-methodology to identify perspectives of boaters based on their behaviors. Boaters were questioned about their habits, knowledge and values, which are considered to be linked to their behavior. Three distinct boater categories resulted from the analysis: the eco-responsible, the self-centered, and the altruist, each named based on their prominent values. This study provides valuable insights into the motivations driving the behavior of recreational boaters, offering potential opportunities for government managers and NGOs to adjust their management strategies or awareness campaigns to encourage behavior that supports the conservation of whale species and the recovery of the beluga whale population.