When one of the world's greatest rivers meets the sea in one of earth's oldest tectonic areas which people have used for centuries, all converge to create one of Canada's most intriguing habitats. Rimouski based biologists, divers and underwater photographers, Annie Mercier and Jean-François Hamel describe and explain the Saint-Lawrence River estuary in their first full colour photo album published by Éditions du Trécarré. Over 180 shots, mostly underwater, fill this 175 page hard cover book. Quebec City diving instructor Normand Piché and international sea mammal reporter Jean-Pierre Sylvestre contributed some of their pictures.
The authors visited all significant sectors from the southern-most tip of île d'Orléans, a few miles downstream from Québec City, to the oceanographic northern limit of the estuary, an imaginary line between Pointe-des-Monts and Sainte-Anne-des-Monts. Les Escoumins, Port-au-Saumon, Empress of Ireland, Matane and many other popular sport diving locations lie within this sector.
Written in French the book is an easy read for bilinguals. Mercier and Hamel mix artistic impressions and scientific knowledge. Descriptions of environments and vital relations between species help readers to understand the ever changing biological brew. Intriguing facts and recently documented finds on benthic, pelagic and plankton life forms punctuate the book.
Not a field guide, a scientific monograph or a literary work, L'estuaire du Saint-Laurent et ses Jardins secrets is a combination of all three. Visitors to Charlevoix, île-aux-Coudres or Bas Saint-Laurent shores will gain appreciation of wildlife with this book. L'estuaire du Saint-Laurent et ses Jardins secrets, by Jean-François Hamel et Annie Mercier (ISBN 2-89249-660-8) Les Éditions du Trécarré, (514) 738-2911 Fax: (514) 738-8512.

L'Estuaire du Saint-Laurent et ses Jardins secrets est un ouvrage qui innove à sa façon en apportant des précisions inédites sur les trésors qui se trouvent entre le rivage et l'abysse du fleuve entre la pointe d'en haut de l'Île d'Orléans et la Pointe-des-Monts. En 175 pages et plus de 180 photos Jean-François Hamel et Annie Mercier, biologistes et plongeurs, décrivent et racontent un des bouillons biologiques les plus productifs de la planète. Cet album photographique vient compléter les recueils et clefs d'identification de la faune et de la flore. Il constitue une première tentative de vulgarisation des processus écologiques qui animent ces eaux en perpétuelles mutations.

The Expo '67 USA pavilion, a dome structure designed by architect Richard Buckminster Fuller, is still alive with a new vocation. Renamed Biosphere, it houses an interpretive showcase about St-Lawrence and Great Lakes ecosystems. A partnership between Environment Canada and the City of Montreal gave birth to this Canadian environmental observation center. Four exhibit halls with large scale models, interactive touch screen computerizing and animation personnel get your visit started. Programs include A/V presentations, films, educational hands-on workshops and seminars.
A visit to Biosphere will raise environmental awareness in many new divers. Presentations give basic information on underwater habitats. Better knowledge of major fish species and pollution factors add to often shorten scuba classes on the subject. Ecologists will find out even more by visiting the Eco-Action Center where researchers can answer questions.
The Biosphere adorns picturesque Île St-Hélène, in the middle of the St-Lawrence River. Accessible by car, bus, metro and boat ride from nearby Montreal Old Port, the site is within walking distance of the Casino de Montréal, Stewart Museum and La Ronde amusement park. Phone (514) 283-5000 Fax: (514) 283-5021 Internet: www.wul.qc.doe.ca/biospher/

Many years ago, while I was putting up a booth at Underwater Canada, a gentleman from the USA noticed that I was speaking French and abruptly addressed me. He voiced his concern about the way Quebecois were depleting and polluting the St-Lawrence River and its watershed. During a good five minutes this sympathetic old chap hammered me with all the ecological jargin of the perfect environmentalist. We finally discussed the point. We noted that some water from the Great Lakes, fed mostly by US streams and industry, also flowed under Jacques-Cartier bridge in Montreal. And not withstanding that numerous Quebec industries were partly owned by US share holders. Finally, we agreed that some things should be done locally but that thinking had to be global. I made a friend that day and he knew he had a partner in Quebec.

Billions of dollars and zebra mussels later and the water is getting clearer. Toxic level indicators are slowly showing decreases. Still, our attitudes will have to change. While we slowly get control over industrial and agricultural pollution, one new area of concern pops up: our eating habits. Over-fishing of some stocks practically emptied the seas. Salmon and cod fishing problems get media and government attention. How should we adjust? Eat more rice?

The fishing industry in Quebec is looking into new areas. New species are slowly appearing on the market. Dog fish, for example, is abundant and easily transformed in "fish and chips". A new way of selling otherwise unwanted accidental catches of crab, spider crab and green urchin are being developed by Sainte-Thérèse-de-Gaspé Lelièvre, Lelièvre et Lemoignan. An auction to local restaurant cooks and gourmets looking for new seafood was one solution.

In the past decades Canadians have learned of nature's limits. The lessons learned have been costly, but there is still hope. New methods of fishing, new consumer awareness and global thinking may help. Divers, through their interest and travelling, may help to spread their ideas. The way my old American friend did.