Quebec group leads 16-day shoreline cleanup
Morissette grew tired of the "doom and gloom" of passively describing the impact of pollution on whales, turtles and the rest of the wildlife inhabiting the St. Lawrence River.
MONTREAL – Marine biologist Lyne Morissette has co-created an initiative to collect trash along the St. Lawrence River and seaway, transforming it into the 16-day expedition L’Expédition Saint-Laurent. Morissette, an associate professor at Université du Québec à Rimouski, was tired of the "doom and gloom" surrounding pollution's impact on wildlife, so she aimed to collect 10 tonnes of trash eight years ago.
This year, Morissette and a team of scientists, divers, and volunteers are traveling 2,000 kilometres up and down the river, partnering with local organizations for shoreline cleanups in the Greater Montreal, Quebec City, Baie-Comeau, and the Innu community of Pessamit.
Morissette expressed mixed feelings about the massive piles of trash they collect, noting that while the problem worsens, less trash remains in nature. Volunteers consistently find cigarette butts, plastic containers, and coffee cups, but occasionally discover surprises, like a gun mistaken for a rowing competition starter. The garbage collected is documented to understand the impact of pollution on shorelines.
Despite discouraging findings, Morissette remains hopeful, emphasizing the importance of small actions and empowering individuals to take part. The expedition, co-organized by Stratégie Saint-Laurent, will conclude on August 21, 2026, though the organization plans to continue its efforts even after reaching the 1,000-tonne goal.
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