Marine Mammal Emergencies
2023 Beluga Mortality Assessment: The Trend Continues
According to data from the Quebec Marine Mammal Emergency Response Network (QMMERN), last year saw the recovery of 17 beluga…
Cetacean Sex Lives: Beyond Reproduction
An article published a few weeks ago relates an unexpected interaction between two male humpback whales. Indeed, the two bulls…
Unravelling the Mysteries of Hybridization in Blue Whales
Hunted, threatened, decimated. The largest of giants suffered greatly at the hands of humans throughout the 20th century and is…
Satellite Teams: Strengthening QMMERN’s Response Capacity across Quebec’s Vast Territory
With fewer phone calls coming into Marine Mammal Emergencies (UMM) in winter than during the high season, it’s the perfect…
Meredith Sherrill: An Example of Tenacity for Working with Whales!
To work with whales, Meredith’s journey took her to California, Michigan, Scotland, and ultimately to Quebec! Meredith Sherrill is a…
Speed Reductions in the Presence of Whales Prove Effective
Have you ever wondered why speed limits are imposed in certain shipping areas? Part of the answer can be summed…
The Inspiring Story of the Grey Whale
Each in their own way, every species on our planet must cope with the impacts of human actions, paving way…
Good News for St. Lawrence Belugas
World Whale Day is the perfect opportunity to make some big announcements for belugas! Thanks to a new census method,…
Working With Whales: A Dream Come True for Jade-Audrey
When she was just 11 years old, Jade-Audrey already knew she wanted to work with cetaceans. Years later, her childhood…
Élizabeth: Woman of Science and Belugas
Élizabeth, research assistant for the Group for Research and Education on Marine Mammals (GREMM), has been photographing belugas since May…
The Secret Societies of Sperm Whales
Are sperm whales really as solitary as we think? The answer might surprise you. Indeed, you probably would have never…
North Atlantic Right Whale Calving Season Still Far Under Par
* As of January 29, 2024, the total number of calves born was 16. An exceptional event was observed a…
Top five films and documentaries about whales
The holiday season is the perfect time to immerse yourself in stories about marine mammals and relax in front of…
Humpback Observed Earlier This Summer Washes Up in the Gaspé
On Wednesday, October 25, a humpback whale carcass washed up in Saint-Maxime-du-Mont-Louis in the Gaspé Peninsula. It was a male…
Reproductive Failures and Malnutrition in the Southern Resident Killer Whale
The recovery of the small community of southern resident killer whales – estimated at around 75 individuals – is hanging…
Stranded Sperm Whale on the North Shore
On November 6, flying above the gulf fifteen kilometres from the village of Baie-Johan-Beetz, a helicopter pilot notices a greyish…
An Exceptional Cetacean: Tool Use in Bottlenose Dolphins
In Shark Bay, Western Australia, a subset of the bottlenose dolphin population displays remarkable ingenuity. When foraging, they cover their…
Killer Whales: Male Offspring at the Expense of Maternal Reproductive Success
According to a study published in Current Biology, females in the small community of southern resident killer whales invest their…
Make way for Perucetus colossus, a sea giant that would have outweighed a blue whale!
Imagine 150 cars piled on top of one another like a mountain. Sounds impressive, doesn’t it? But hold on: it…
Alloparental Care and Benefits for Young Belugas: Unanswered Questions
How do young belugas benefit from alloparental care? This is a question that Jaclyn Aubin and her colleagues tried to…
The Study of Animal Intelligence and Its Human Bias (Part 2)
Now that we’ve discussed human bias in the study of animal intelligence, let’s explore in this second part the different…
The Study of Animal Intelligence and Human Bias (Part 1)
Did you know that the octopus is able to solve puzzles and to dream? That pigs show signs of empathy?…
Potential Impacts of Rising Ocean Temperatures on Whales
Undeniably, today’s environment is undergoing rapid, irreversible and radical transformations. Being entirely subject to the laws of natural selection, whales…
Total Euphoria
A 2014 BBC documentary showed a pod of dolphins playing with a pufferfish, prodding and grabbing it with their beaks…
Art dedicated to whales – archival artwork by Maryse Goudreau
In a context where environmental concerns are at the center of discussions, it seems difficult to navigate through the different…
Fin whale breach: rare and enigmatic
The Mediterranean Sea is home to a unique population of fin whales that has evolved separately from the North Atlantic…
Echolocation in Land vs. Marine Animals
Echolocation is used by several animals such as bats, dolphins, toothed whales and some nocturnal birds. This technique allows animals…
The Jane Goodall Act
The question of how relevant and ethical (or unethical!) animal establishments such as zoos and aquariums are is highly debatable.…
Cancer Protection in the Giants of the Animal Kingdom
Ever heard of Peto’s paradox? The latter states that the probability of developing cancer is unrelated to the number of…
One small population of indomitable freshwater seals still holds out, but for how long?
Ever heard of the mysterious and legendary achikunipi, as this animal is known to the Cree? Or the qasigiaq, the…
Best Practices to Adopt Near Seals
Although they are marine mammals, pinnipeds carry out a number of their most important activities out of water. Indeed, napping,…
Should we be concerned about the low numbers of whales in the St. Lawrence River during the first few weeks of the season?
You’ve probably heard this question more than once since the start of the season! Our team therefore felt it might…
Super Soldiers of the Animal Kingdom!
A beluga ironically named Hvaldimir – Hval for “whale” in Norwegian – was first seen in 2019 off the coast…
Satellite Tagging: One More Step Toward Helping Entangled Cetaceans in Quebec
On May 23 and 24, several members of the team from the Quebec Marine Mammal Emergency Response Network (QMMERN) and…
Interactions Between Killer Whales and Ships in the Strait of Gibraltar: A Challenge for Maritime Cohabitation
Why is the Strait of Gibraltar killer whale subpopulation increasingly interacting with boats? How did this behaviour originate? These are…
How about a few stories with happy endings? Chronicles of successes in marine mammal conservation
From an emotional standpoint, the world of conservation can often be quite difficult to navigate. Through our own activities, the…
The reasons behind an exceptional year for humpback
“First time ever,” “extraordinary,” “record...” After a while, observers describing the 2021 whale-watching season in the estuary began to run…
Symposium beluga 2023
In 1988, the International Forum for the Future of the Beluga was held. Just five years earlier, in 1983, the…
Participatory Science: The Key to Conservation
Whether it’s by reporting your sightings or volunteering with a conservation organization, there’s no wrong way to get involved with…
Earth Day 2023: 5 Things You Can Do to Help Whales
Since every little gesture counts when it comes to safeguarding the environment, the Whales Online team presents five actions that…
40th Year of Beluga Carcass Recovery Program: Persistent Concerns in 2022
Over the past year, 12 beluga carcasses were discovered adrift or on the shores of the St. Lawrence by the…
Right Whale Situation Proves Precarious Once Again
Between entanglements in fishing gear, ship strikes and climate change, the past few decades have been rough for the North…
Katak the Brave Beluga: An Eye-opening Film on the Beauty of the St. Lawrence and the Fragility of Belugas
In the thrilling journey of a young beluga in search of his grandfather, the animated film Katak the Brave Beluga,…
Winter Pupping Season: A Risky Affair
The diminishing ice cover observed in the Estuary and Gulf of St. Lawrence in recent years is having an impact…
Synchronized Fin Whales
July 13, 2021. Several large spouts erupt off the coast of Sept-Îles. One, two, three blasts. Four, then seven, then…
Advancing Marine Mammal Research, One Sample at a Time
When a marine mammal carcass is found stranded or adrift in the waters of the St. Lawrence, the Quebec Marine…
Belugas and Drones: A Call for Caution
Although drones are useful tools for conducting marine mammal research, it is legitimate to wonder what impact they may have…
Deep-water denizen stranded in Sept-Îles
Last October 23, a True’s beaked whale beached itself and died in the Bay of Sept-Îles. The causes of this…
Preventing Whale Entanglements with Ropeless Fishing Gear
Over the past several years, the novel field of ropeless fishing has been expanding thanks to the research and development…
Top Picks for a Rich Whale Library
Many species of whales have left the St. Lawrence for the winter. Observing these cetaceans in the flesh in the…
North Atlantic Right Whales: On a Quest for Food
Since 2015, an uptick in the presence of North Atlantic right whales has been observed in the Gulf of St.…
Avian Flu: First Documented Case in Cetaceans in Quebec
Last September, the Quebec Marine Mammal Emergency Response Network received a report of an Atlantic white-sided dolphin carcass near Rimouski.…
A Fossil Under the Magnifying Glass
Thirty years ago, the fossil of an Atlantic grey whale (Eschrichtius robustus) was misidentified as a humpback whale. The latter…
Snow Cone: Emblem of its Species’ Desperate Struggle
In December 2021, scientists felt a glimmer of hope when Snow Cone was spotted with a newborn, despite the fact…
Is approaching marine mammals with a drone legal?
With the growing popularity of drones, it is increasingly common to see spectacular images of cetaceans. From herds of migrating…
Five New Discoveries about the North Atlantic Right Whale
For scientists, the endangered North Atlantic right whale is a source of both fascination and concern. This is why a…
Book of the Dead: Nearly 600 Beluga Carcasses Examined Over Past 40 Years
Every year, between 15 and 20 beluga carcasses are found and recovered along the shores of the St. Lawrence. Why…
Surveying Whale-Watchers to Better Protect Whales
Ever since the Saguenay-St. Lawrence Marine Park was created in 1998, a large number of protective measures have been put…
Are there fewer whales in the St. Lawrence this season?
On both shores of the St. Lawrence, many folks are concerned about the paucity of whales observed in the river…
Harbour Seals in St. Lawrence Affected by Avian Flu
Last June, the Quebec Marine Mammal Emergency Response Network (QMMERN) received an abnormally high number of reports of dead or…
Whales with Microplastics in their Bellies
Problems related to plastic garbage in our oceans and waterways have been with us for many years now. What’s more,…
Entangled Humpback – A Chronicle
On Wednesday, July 13, a humpback whale was spotted off the coast of Les Escoumins accompanied by a calf that…
A Day in Good Company
On Sunday, July 3, a minke whale carcass was found on Île Vertein Quebec’s Bas-Saint-Laurent region. This is practically the…
Spring 2022: A Busy Season for QMMERN
Seal pups harassed on the beaches, discovery of pinniped carcasses along the shores, vagrant minke whales in Montréal: these are…
Seals That Don’t Need Our Help
Spring is here and the seal pupping season is in full swing. The Quebec Marine Mammal Emergency Response Network (QMMERN)…
Struggling Right Whale in the Gulf of St. Lawrence
For over a week now, Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) has been attempting to locate a North Atlantic right whale…
Climate Change Compromising Beluga Recovery
Despite the 1979 ban on commercial whaling that decimated the St. Lawrence beluga and the implementation of numerous protection measures,…
Minke whale updates
This page is dedicated to the presence of two minke whales in the waters of Montreal. It is updated several…
Minke Whales in Montreal – Your Questions
Two minke whales have been observed in Montreal, near St. Helen's Island. The first individual has been in the area…
First Beluga Carcass Discovered in Les Escoumins
This is the first beluga whale carcass recovered for the 2022 season under the carcass recovery program initiated in 1983.…
Mortality 2021: An Ominous Year for Belugas
2021 will be no exception. Once again, researchers and specialists are concerned by the mortalities being observed in the St.…
15 Calves Spark Hope for Right Whales
From November to April, North Atlantic right whales give birth to their calves in the warm waters off Florida and…
Right Whale Protection Measures Renewed for 2022
On Thursday, March 10, Fisheries and Oceans Canada announced the protection measures that will be put in place this year…
Volunteers Needed for Marine Mammal Emergencies
Volunteers are our eyes and our hands in the field. In addition to helping the scientific community gain vital knowledge…
An Oral Plug to Prevent Whales from Choking on Seawater
The rorqual family includes the largest animals on the planet. In order to satisfy their gargantuan energy needs by gulping…
CIMM Presents Virtual “Bones with Stories to Tell” Exhibition
The Marine Mammal Interpretation Centre (CIMM) is coming to you! Our collection of cetacean skeletons – the only one of…
Masturbation and Functional Clitoris: Dolphins’ Sexual Life Revealed
It is widely known that some animal species, including humans and bonobos, engage in sexual activity outside of their breeding…
Some Belugas More Affected than Others by Underwater Noise
Underwater noise is a major issue in the protection St. Lawrence belugas, which rely on sound to find their way,…
To Michael Moore, “We Are All Whalers”
North Atlantic right whales are one of the most vulnerable cetacean species on the planet. With less than 350 individuals…
Multiple Births and Low Mortality Spell Good Year for North Atlantic Right Whales
One of the most critically endangered cetacean species in the world, the North Atlantic right whale has been under close…
Marine Mammal Emergencies on the Ready this Holiday Season
While the end-of-year holidays are a good time to relax and celebrate with family, the Quebec Marine Mammal Emergency Response…
2021: Another Busy Year for Marine Mammal Emergencies
By Mélissa Tremblay, Head of the Marine Mammal Emergencies call centre Beginning in November, Marine Mammal Emergencies (UMM) generally receives…
New Whale Species Discovered
Field observations are not the only way to discover new animal species. Through lab analyses of preserved skeletons and samples,…
“Window on Belugas” project receives $600,000 in funding from the Quebec government
On Monday, November 15, 2021 at 2:30 p.m., a press conference was held in Cacouna to announce the Government of Quebec’s…
North Atlantic Right Whales: Climate Refugees
The North Atlantic right whale population is down to approximately 350 individuals and is critically endangered. The recovery of this…
Why is it important not to touch a marine mammal carcass?
By Marie-Maude Rondeau Ever heard of Valleau, the sperm whale whose carcass washed ashore in L’Anse-à-Valleau in 2003? Today, this…
Climate Change Triggers Shifts in Fin Whale Diets
As predators, fin whales are considered generalists, capable of hunting and feeding on a variety of prey ranging from zooplankton…
Travelling back in time with a narwhal tusk
The tusk of the narwhal – a long spiral-shaped tooth that can measure nearly 3 metres long – makes a…
In the Wake of Sea Monsters
As Halloween approaches, horror stories abound! Amongst sources of inspiration for spooky legends, the ocean has always been a great…
Mom, can you hear me?: The Challenge of Beluga Calves in the St. Lawrence
Biologist Valeria Vergara has always assumed that newborn belugas produce very soft vocalizations, making them particularly vulnerable to underwater noise.…
Humpback Serenades Begin in September in Canada
As the autumn foliage grows brighter and the days grow colder, the humpback whales in Canadian waters are slowly beginning…
Two Beaked Whales Stranded Alive in Chaleur Bay
On Thursday, September 30, the Quebec Marine Mammal Emergency Response Network (QMMERN) receives a report of two whales stranded alive…
Initiatives for Responsible Whale-Watching
This year, the Eco-Whale Alliance is celebrating its 10th anniversary! Established by sea excursion companies, GREMM, Sépaq and Parks Canada,…
Decoding Killer Whale Friendships with Drones
Much like humans, killer whales can’t choose their family, but they can at least decide which of their little cousins they want…
Eight Things You Might Not Know About Beaked Whales
Are you familiar with beaked whales? If the answer is “no”, you are probably not alone. Even researchers know relatively…
Southern Resident Killer Whales: J-Pod Missing for 108 Days
Since 2013, the southern resident killer whale population has been exhibiting unusual behaviours that are worrying scientists. Strangely enough, this…
Wounded seal: what to do?
As you pace the shores of the St. Lawrence, you come face to face with a seal. So far, nothing…
Whales in words and pictures at the CIMM (more!)
You don’t always need to see whales live to fall under their charm. Thanks to the selection of books (all…
North Atlantic Right Whales: Shrinking Giants!
We’ve known that North Atlantic right whales are less and less abundant, with a population currently estimated to number fewer…
Conceiving the Inconceivable (2/2): Templates for Humpback Whale Songs
As early as the 1980s, whale song research pioneer Roger Payne stated that “It is inconceivable that such rapid and…
Regional Assessment of St. Lawrence for Better Informed Choices in the Future
In the context of environmental assessments of development projects in the St. Lawrence, the issue of cumulative effects is often…
Conceiving the Inconceivable (1/2): Metamorphosis of Humpback Whale Songs
Cultural transmission is a widely-accepted hypothesis within the scientific community to explain the movement and transformation of humpback whale songs through space…
First-ever Detailed Portrait of Whale Incidents in Eastern Canada
For the first time ever, data on whale incidents in eastern Canada has been compiled in a single report. Produced…
Documentary “The Loneliest Whale”: The Importance of Epic Stories to Raise Public Awareness
In the documentary The Loneliest Whale: The Search for 52, a group of scientists sets out to find a whale…
Beached Fin Whale in Forillon National Park
On June 19, an employee of Forillon National Park discovers a fin whale carcass at the bottom of a cliff…
Travelling Back in Time with Embryos!
What if we could observe the different stages of evolution that a species has undergone by studying a single individual?…
Belugas, Belugas Everywhere: Overview of Out-of-Range Belugas this Spring
From Matane and Bonaventure, Quebec to Prince Edward Island, Nova Scotia and New Brunswick, belugas seem to be everywhere this…
Allocare in Belugas: Still a Mysterious Behaviour
Perched atop a tower in the middle of Baie Sainte-Marguerite, Jaclyn Aubin peered down on belugas for two summers (2017…
Role Play in Porpoises
Rarely studied in Quebec, porpoises were recently the focus of a study on feeding behaviours. Using drones, researchers at the…
Busy Start to the Season at Marine Mammal Emergencies
As is the case every year, the arrival of warm, sunny days is synonymous with an uptick in the number…
Leatherback Turtle Carcass in Gaspé
In late April, a local resident discovers a very decomposed carcass on Haldimand Beach in Gaspé. All that remains are…
Season Kicks Off at Marine Mammal Interpretation Centre
Tadoussac’s Marine Mammal Interpretation Centre (CIMM) will open its doors on June 7. After months in the dark, the fifteen…
Protecting Young Harbour Seals on the Beaches
In May and June, many residents will have the opportunity to observe young seals on the beaches, as it is…
Ocean Week: From Education to Action
From June 1 to 8, 2021, the first Quebec edition of Ocean Week will take place. Orchestrated by the environmental…
One year later, what can we learn from the humpback whale’s journey from Québec City to Montréal?
It left millions astonished, concerned, dazzled and sensitized, even as the province was under lockdown. The juvenile (2 to 4 years…
New Tools Available to Maritime Industry for Marine Mammal Protection
The Marine Mammal Observation Network (MMON), the World Wildlife Fund for Nature (WWF) and the St. Lawrence Global Observatory (SLGO)…
400-Metre Regulatory Distance for Blue Whales Proving Effective
In the presence of watercraft, blue whales reduce both the duration and depth of their dives. A recent simulation-based study…
Singer Pomme Releases Song for Belugas
To underscore her concern for wildlife conservation and especially for belugas, singer Pomme chose to write a tune about these…
Right Whale Disentanglement in New Brunswick
On Tuesday, May 11, a major release operation was attempted to come to the aid of Snow Cone, a North…
Belugas’ Age Written in Their Skin
Determining the age of a wild beluga is quite a challenge. So when American researchers announce that they are developing…
Recognizing the culture of whales in order to better protect them
If we truly want to protect whales – and other species as well for that matter – biologists must understand…
Resting, Pupping and Moulting: The Importance of Getting Out of the Water for Seals
Even if they are marine mammals, seals have to return to land for some of their activities. Amphibious in nature,…
“Secrets of the Whales”: Diving Deeper after Watching the Series
They love. They mourn. They play. They share. Whales live in complex societies, each with its own culture. This is…
United Nations Kicks off Decade of the Oceans
When the United Nations launches a theme, it’s not merely symbolic. From 2021 to 2030, the theme will be the…
First Beluga Carcass of 2021 Found in Tadoussac
On March 27, a beluga carcass was discovered in Tadoussac by an individual who was out for a stroll. The…
Seals Invade the Shorelines
Now that the ice has receded from the St. Lawrence, seals must find new platforms out of the water to…
Technological Innovation: Filming the Secrets of Sleeping Humpbacks
When researchers placed a camera on the back of a humpback whale, they probably weren’t expecting an hour-long video during…
Educational Podcasts on Marine Mammals
Itching to set sail in search of marine mammals? Virtual experiences are available thanks to the following list of podcasts…
Two New Right Whale Mortalities
In the span of just a few weeks, two North Atlantic right whale carcasses were discovered off the coast of…
Harbour Porpoise Succombs to Dolphin Attacks
For the harbour porpoise, human activities are not the only threats it faces. The smallest cetacean in the St. Lawrence…
Whale Day: A Few Actions to Lower the Risks to Marine Mammals
Around the globe, many people are concerned by the plight of cetaceans. February 19 is the international day dedicated to…
A Woman Committed to Science: Mélissa Tremblay
From tourism to geography, Mélissa Tremblay’s career path ultimately led her to the Group for Research and Education on Marine…
Valentine’s Day, Cetacean Style
Signs of affection, saying “I love you” and showing it with sweet gestures. Such is the essence of Valentine’s Day.…
One in Two Fin Whales Already Entangled
The number of fin whales frequenting the Gulf of St. Lawrence that bear entanglement marks and scars is much higher…
Young Grey Seal Found in Magdalen Island Interior
When a young grey seal is found nearly a kilometre inland in the Magdalen Islands, what’s the best course of…
St. Lawrence Temperatures on the Rise in 2020
The environment of cetaceans in the St. Lawrence Estuary and Gulf is changing. Peter Galbraith, physical oceanographer at Fisheries and…
With the whales of Hawaii… virtually!
Looking for a getaway? Here’s a chance to do just that. The 15th edition of Whale Tales will be held…
From Tadoussac to the Bahamas: The Journey of Ti-Croche the Fin Whale
The fin whale Bp955, a.k.a. “Ti-Croche”, has just revealed precious secrets on the migratory movements of its species. On October…
Are the social relationships of belugas similar to our own?
Belugas live in remarkably complex societies with very diverse relationships, so much so that they might be considered closer to…
Following Comprehensive Analysis, Cause of Death of Montréal Humpback Remains Undetermined
Despite having analyzed cross-referenced data on the body condition, behaviour and the carcass of a female humpback that visited Montréal,…
New Population of Blue Whales Discovered Thanks to Unique Song
New observations of blue whales have been made in the waters of the Arabian Sea and in the northwestern corner…
Novel Measure to Protect Southern Resident Killer Whales
Frequenting British Columbia waters, the southern resident killer whale population is estimated to number approximately 72 individuals. On January 14, the…
Michel Moisan, GREMM’s Irreplaceable Jack-of-All-Trades
GREMM Lead Technician Michel Moisan has a strong interest in electronics combined with a keen analytical talent to quickly identify…
North Atlantic Right Whale Births Give Cause for Hope
The breeding season for North Atlantic right whales is in full swing. As of January 22, 2021, 17 healthy calves…
Whale Fossils Reveal Their Secrets
In 2020, a fossil dating from the Oligocene was studied in South Carolina by a US research team. The fossil…
Five Promising Initiatives to Prevent Collisions with Whales
Imagine that your dining room, your bedroom and your child’s day care were constantly being driven through by high-speed vehicles.…
Rare Striped Dolphin Discovered in Maliotenam
It is quite unusual for a striped dolphin to be found anywhere in the St. Lawrence, to say the least.…
Cetacean Stranded Alive: Call First
Whether it is a whale, a porpoise or a dolphin that you find stranded on the beach or swimming in…
Generosity For Your Loved Ones… and For Whales, Too!
The 2020 holiday season will come with its share of challenges, just like the periods of adaptation that we all…
The Quebec Marine Mammal Emergency Response Network Thanks Its 187 Volunteers
What would the Quebec Marine Mammal Emergency Response Network (QMMERN) be without its 187 volunteers? Thanks to the 160 hours…
Voluntarily Lowering One’s Heart Rate to Dive Safely
Because they live in water and must constantly dive to forage or to move, cetaceans have developed a great number…
Dolphin Runs Aground in Magdalen Islands But Returns to Sea
A dolphin found itself in an awkward position on November 21 near Gros-Cap, in the Magdalen Islands. Out for a…
Kayakers in the mouth of a humpback: lessons learned
The video of two kayakers getting caught in the mouth of a humpback has been viewed around the world. Off…
Just 356 North Atlantic right whales left!
Until recently, researchers still spoke of a population of some 400 North Atlantic right whales. But new estimates released last…
The ice is back… And so are the winter seals!
Whether on shore, on the rocks or on ice, seals can appear throughout the Gulf of St. Lawrence or the…
Beluga Carcass in Cacouna
A beluga carcass washed up in Cacouna on October 18, 2020. This young male is the fifteenth beluga to be…
Public Consultation on Marine Noise: Add Your Two Cents!
Fisheries and Oceans Canada is organizing a public consultation on the impact of noise in Canada’s oceans, and you are…
Right Whales in the Estuary: Exceptional Response for an Exceptional Presence
Among its many missions, the Quebec Marine Mammal Emergency Response Network (QMMERN) manages cases of marine mammals known as “vagrants”,…
Fin-Blue Hybrids: A New Challenge for Blue Whale Conservation?
The existence of hybrids resulting from the cross between the two largest animals in the world – the fin whale…
Swimming in a River of Pollutants: Belugas Believed to be Four Times More Contaminated Than Minke Whales
Just how contaminated are the belugas of the St. Lawrence? This very question became the research topic of Antoine Simond…
Harbour porpoise or beluga?
Although the beluga is sometimes referred to as a “white porpoise” and has several similarities to the harbour porpoise, the terms “beluga”…
What do St. Lawrence belugas eat?
It may seem surprising, but up until a few months ago, the diet of the St. Lawrence beluga was not…
Seals in Town
In 2020, four different species of seals were observed in the Montréal metropolitan region, hundreds of kilometres from their normal…
Stray Whales: Lost or Just Exploring?
Every so often, a solitary whale makes headlines. It might be a beluga seen off the coast San Diego, California,…
Troubled Humpback in the Marine Park
Updated to August 25, 2020 Despite active search parties by fishery officers and collaborators, the entangled humpback whale was not…
Sanctuary for Retired Belugas: Another Step Toward a Natural Habitat
The first two residents of a whale sanctuary have now been swimming in Klettsvik Bay since August 8, 2020. Belugas…
Quebec Marine Mammal Emergency Response Network Sets Up Mobile Team
In order to be able to respond more quickly and efficiently to emergencies involving marine mammals along the shores of…
A Little Peace and Quiet for Belugas
Once again this summer, Baie Sainte-Marguerite will be closed to navigation from June 21 to September 21. Since 2018, navigation…
Boaters Urged to Contribute to Research
Like thousands of other pleasure boaters, do you enjoy taking advantage of warm summer days to operate your craft in…
Research in the St. Lawrence Stalled This Summer
Normally, whale experts up and down the St. Lawrence would have begun their research a long time ago. However, the…
Expanded Marine Mammal Interpretation Centre Opens!
After months of diligent efforts, a work site put on hold by COVID-19 measures and numerous challenges along the way,…
Inside the Quebec Marine Mammal Emergency Response Network Call Centre
What happens on the other end of the line while and after a case is reported to the Quebec Marine…
Reporting Carcasses: What’s the point?
The answer is simple: by reporting a carcass to the Quebec Marine Mammal Emergency Response Network (QMMERN), you are helping…
400 Right Whales Left… Now What?
How many North Atlantic right whales are left in the world? If the answer today hovers around 400, for researchers,…
First Right Whale Carcass: Another Calf Struck by a Ship
The first North Atlantic right whale carcass in 2020 was spotted during an aerial survey on June 25, drifting off…
Right Whale Protection Measures: Highs and Lows
Since the start of the year, news concerning protection measures specific to North Atlantic right whales has been like a…
Young Bearded Seal in Laval
A young bearded seal is observed from June 23 to June 28 at the BoBiNo marina in Laval. This species…
What is the purpose of this tag and chord?
Many people are concerned by the tags and chords they occasionally see attached to a seal or whale carcass. Sometimes,…
Various Cases Keeping Quebec Marine Mammal Emergency Response Network Busy
Although all the projectors have been on the stray humpback whale between Québec City and Montréal, this individual is not the…
Dead Humpback Found in Varennes Victim of Ship Strike
On June 10, the team from Université de Montréal’s Faculty of Veterinary Medicine performed a necropsy on the whale, meaning…
Visiting Humpback in Fluvial Estuary (Québec City – Montréal)
The humpback as an ambassador for a greater cause We understand the emotional aspect of the situation. Local residents who…
Sometimes, Best Way to Help Whale is to Leave It Alone
Many people have been writing to us to express their concern about the humpback whale currently in Montréal. We appreciate…
2019 Beluga Mortality Report
“Mortality figures for 2019 are hardly reassuring,” comments Robert Michaud, scientific director for the Group for Research and Education on…
First Beluga Carcass of 2020 on the Shores of the St. Lawrence
A beluga carcass washed ashore in Matane late in the day on May 15. This is the first case this…
North Atlantic Right Whales Disturbingly Unfit
It is widely known that the North Atlantic right whale population is struggling, but a study has recently underscored just…
Putting One’s Pregnancy “On Pause”
In spring, many observers report seeing seals on the shores of the St. Lawrence. The sun is out more and…
Up-close Footage of Nursing Humpback
This video went viral on social networks around the globe. And for good reason. How awesome to view the world…
Arrival of Right Whales Triggers Protective Measures
After wintering in the coastal waters of Florida and Georgia, right whales are back in the Gulf of St. Lawrence!…
“Navigating Whale Habitat”: Free Training for Boaters and Kayakers
Are you an avid kayaker, sailboater or motorboat enthusiast, and do you frequent the St. Lawrence or the Saguenay? The…
No Whaling in Iceland This Year
In Iceland, the two main commercial whaling companies have announced in the past few days that they will not be…
Future sanctuary for captive Belugas in Nova Scotia
Creating a “retirement home” in the open sea that is capable of providing the best possible living conditions for whales…
Vagrant Alert: Beluga Seen in Chaleur Bay Area
On April 15, a beluga was observed in Chaleur Bay near Saint-Siméon-de-Bonaventure, in the Gaspé Peninsula. Witnesses contacted the Quebec…
Intriguing Cases Involving Seals in the Magdalen Islands
Seven seal carcasses were reported in the Magdalen Islands and one in the Bas-Saint-Laurent region over the weekend of April…
COVID-19: Whales in Your Living Room – Part II!
Whether you’re on the North Shore or in the Gaspé Peninsula, when you live near the St. Lawrence, it’s easy…
COVID-19: Whales in Your Living Room
Whether you’re on the North Shore or in the Gaspé Peninsula, when you live near the St. Lawrence, it’s easy…
New Measures: Impact of COVID-19 on Capacity to Respond to Marine Mammal Emergencies
In order to comply with current government guidelines for COVID-19, the Quebec Marine Mammal Emergency Response Network (QMMERN) is continually…
Humpback Whale Attacked by Great White Sharks
Researchers witnessed a rare event in Mossel Bay, at the southern tip of the African continent: two great white sharks…
Impact of COVID-19 on Emergency Response Capacity of Marine Mammal Emergencies
The Marine Mammal Emergencies call centre remains active as usual, 7 days a week, 24 hours a day. If you…
A Fourth Generation Humpback Calf!
Good news! Aramis, daughter of the famous humpback whale Tic Tac Toe, recently gave birth to her very first documented…
Using Barnacles to Reconstruct Ancient Whale Migrations
Whales, which have been around for roughly 30 million years, are estimated to have reached their current size 4.5 million…
Slower boats, quieter boats?
In 2017, Ruth Joy and her team (ECHO) conducted a study on the correlation between speed limit reductions and noise…
Antibiotic Treatments for Whales: A Challenge
Across Canada and the US in early January, North Atlantic right whale experts, marine mammal veterinarians and whale rescue specialists…
Record Migration of Killer Whale Confirmed with Photo-ID
In early February, an adult male killer whale was spotted off the coast of Lebanon, near Beirut. A rare occurrence…
GNL Québec Promises Fund to Curb Underwater Noise Pollution
In a press release, GNL Québec has undertaken to set up a $5M fund to support projects reducing the underwater…
Marie-Hélène D’Arcy: GREMM’s Keenest Eye
To mark International Day of Women and Girls in Science, the Whales Online team decided to retrace the journey of technician Marie-Hélène D’Arcy,…
Calving Humpback Caught on Film for First Time
February 3, off the coast of Maui, Hawaii: The captain of a whale-watching cruise observes three humpback whales. According to…
Deep Thinkers: Inside the Minds of Whales, Dolphins, and Porpoises: journey into the world of cetaceans
A new publication on marine mammals. Long fascinated by cetacean intelligence, Janet Mann, professor of biology and psychology at Washington,…
North Atlantic Right Whale: Dismal Record Mitigated by Mobilization
The future is an increasingly gloomy one for the North Atlantic right whale, an endangered species whose numbers have been…
Two Beats a Minute Underwater: A Lesson in Blue Whale Cardio!
In an uncommon exercise in cetacean research, a team successfully placed a tag with electrodes on the back of a…
Calf and Female Mortality in Belugas: “Problem No. 1”
November 9, 2019: The Quebec Marine Mammal Emergency Response Network receives a report of a female beluga carcass on the…
World Marine Mammal Conference in Barcelona: Spotlight on the St. Lawrence!
Some 2,500 biologists, veterinarians, conservationists and wildlife managers from 95 countries are gearing up to gather in Barcelona for the…
Whispering and avoiding predators!
A number of studies show that in different species of baleen whales, mothers and their offspring communicate in a very…
Arctic Adventure: A Virtual Expedition on the Ice Floes for Elementary School Kids
Accompanied by experienced divers Jill Heinerth and Mario Cyr, discover the pack ice and its animals with Arctic Adventure, an…
A busy season for 1-877-7BALEINE, and it’s not over yet!
The summer 2019 season has drawn to a close. It’s time for the Quebec Marine Mammal Emergency Response Network (QMMERN)…
Humpback whales eat with their hands
The pectoral fins of humpback whales, with their enormous size and jagged edges, are quite different from those of other…
Post-whaling Recovery: The Beautiful Story Of Humpbacks
This year in the St. Lawrence, no fewer than 13 mother-calf humpback pairs have been identified by teams from the…
Are the blue whales in the St. Lawrence getting enough to eat?
In summer, the St. Lawrence is a feeding ground for a number of blue whales of the northwest Atlantic population.…
Contaminants Blamed for Throwing Genes Out of Whack
More and more studies are suggesting that numerous so-called endocrine disruptors are accumulating in the tissues of whales and posing…
The Whale and the Raven : a documentary about the orcas and humpback whales of British Columbia
A new documentary was just released by the National Film Board of Canada. Here is the synopsis. «On the otherwise…
Activist Greta Thunberg Meets with GREMM
On September 30, leading climate activist Greta Thunberg accompanied the scientific research team of the Group for Research and Education…
Do Blue Whales Serenade Their Partners?
For four decades, research on blue whale behaviour has been trying to unravel the mysteries of their reproduction. A bit…
Right Whale Carcass Found in US Identified As Snake Eyes
The North Atlantic right whale carcass found off Long Island, New York on September 16 was identified by the New…
“Losing the Saguenay acoustic refuge means risking irreparable impacts to belugas”
The Group for Research and Education on Marine Mammals (GREMM) is publishing a video to answer the many questions that…
Extremely rare adoption by a dolphin
In 2014, in French Polynesia, a female bottlenose dolphin nicknamed “Thaïs” is observed with her first calf. Two months later,…
Humpback Entangled off Forillon Park
Late in the day on August 25, 2019, the Quebec Marine Mammal Emergency Response Network receives a report for a…
Are whale protection and research work compatible?
Better understanding cetaceans to better protect them is the goal of many researchers working on these giants of the seas.…
Video of Beluga Playing with a Gull
A video of a beluga taking a gull in its mouth, following it around and even trying to taunt it…
Live Stranded Sowerby’s Beaked Whale Near Île Verte
On the afternoon of August 25, a beaked whale is observed dangerously close to the shores of Île Verte. The…
Studying Fin Whale Distribution to Understand Their Decline
The team at the Mingan Island Cetacean Study (MICS) has been observing fewer and fewer fin whales in the northern…
Voice Your Opinion of the “Impact of Noise on the Beluga Whale at Risk in the St. Lawrence Estuary” Action Plan
The Department of Fisheries and Oceans Canada, together with numerous collaborators, has produced an action plan entitled “Impact of noise…
Military Sonar: A Threat to Blue Whale’s Recovery?
A new study published in Experimental Biology showed that military sonar can affect the behaviour of the blue whales studied off the…
Twelfth Beluga Carcass This Year Found on the Banks of the St. Lawrence
A beluga carcass washed up in the Gaspé town of Les Méchins on August 6. The newborn beluga still had…
PhD Project: Sources of Emerging Organic Contaminants to the Habitat of Endangered St. Lawrence Estuary Beluga
Project St. Lawrence Estuary (SLE) Beluga has been designated as an endangered species since 2014 by the Committee on the…
Right Whales: Lifting of Speed Restrictions and Stranding of Fourth Carcass
Aerial surveillance over the past few weeks has not identified any North Atlantic right whales in dynamic speed limit corridors.…
Study Whales to Beat Cancer?
According to a study published in Molecular Biology and Evolution, whales have mechanisms to protect themselves against cancer. Since the…
New PhD project : Environmental Contaminants, Body Condition and Photogrammetry of St. Lawrence Estuary Belugas
Project Title Environmental Contaminants, Body Condition and Photogrammetry of St. Lawrence Estuary Belugas Project Synopsis The St. Lawrence Estuary (SLE)…
PhD Scholarship Opportunity at UQO on belugas and recreational boating
PHD SCHOLARSHIP OPPORTUNITY Agent-based modelling of recreational boating in the St. Lawrence Estuary and the Saguenay River (Québec, Canada) to…
Seventh and Eighth Right Whale Carcasses Found
Two new cases of dead right whales have been confirmed today by Fisheries and Oceans Canada. According to the ministry,…
Cleanup of “seventh continent” set to begin
On September 8, The Ocean Cleanup project will deploy its first floating system designed to capture waste in the waters of the…
Conference: Finding Ways of Reducing the Threat of Vessel Traffic on Whales and Other Marine Mammals through Detection and Avoidance
Harald Yurk is a bioacoustics specialist with the Aquatic Ecosystems and Marine Mammals Division of Fisheries and Oceans Canada in…
Does cat poop pose a problem for belugas?
On cat litter bags is a warning for pregnant women concerning a parasite found in cat feces. What is even…
Tougher Prevention Measures to Protect North Atlantic Right Whales
Speed restrictions applied to a larger fleet, increased aerial surveillance, expanded speed limit area... The Government of Canada is announcing…
Female beluga DL0584 dies while giving birth
An eighth beluga carcass washed up on the banks of the St. Lawrence River on July 4. The individual has…
Right whales: disentanglement efforts progress
Right whales EG4423 and EG4440 are now swimming a little lighter since shedding some of the rope that had been…
Four Necropsies, Three Collisions
Preliminary results of the fourth North Atlantic right whale necropsy have just been announced by Fisheries and Oceans Canada. The…
Concerns for the Welfare of Eight Captive Whales Returned to the Wild
Since November 2018, 87 belugas and 10 killer whales have been illegally held captive in a “whale prison” off Nakhodka…
Six Right Whales Found Dead in Gulf of St. Lawrence
Fisheries and Oceans Canada confirms that two new North Atlantic right whale carcasses have been found, one on the coast…
Two New Carcasses and Second Right Whale Necropsy for 2019
The Government of Canada announced in a press release that it had discovered two new carcasses offshore, near the Acadian…
Entangled Minke Whale in Saguenay-St. Lawrence Marine Park
A minke whale ensnared in fishing rope was reported to the Quebec Marine Mammal Emergency Response Network (QMMERN) by passengers of…
Stranded Grey Whales and Stranded Right Whales: Same Difference?
In early June, the carcass of a female grey whale washes ashore in British Columbia, close to the US border. This is…
Whale-watching Cruises Banned from Parts of Marine Park
Whale-watching cruises will no longer be able to ply the waters of certain sectors of the Saguenay–St. Lawrence Marine Park.…
The First Right Whale Necropsy of 2019
The North Atlantic right whale identified as Wolverine is currently analyzed on Miscou Island, New Brunswick. The necropsy requires the…
Right Whale Carcass Found Adrift in Gulf of St. Lawrence
A first North Atlantic right whale carcass has been discovered this year. North Atlantic right whales are considered endangered and…
Beluga Belatedly Heads Back to Rejoin its Pod!
Since April 23, a beluga that could be described as a “vagrant” has been observed around the Gaspé Peninsula. The…
Right whales : fishing closures and new technologies for crabbing industry
On May 13, the first North Atlantic right whales of the season were observed via aerial survey in the Gulf of…
Species at Risk: Fin Whales on the Rebound, Concerns for Sei Whales and Sowerby’s Beaked Whales
On May 6, the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC) convened in St. John's, Newfoundland, to…
A Play Dedicated to Whale Researcher and Rescuer Jon Lien
Between Breaths highlights the unusual life story of Jon Lien (1939-2010), a pioneer of whale research in Canada. It is…
Complex rescue operation for whales captured in Russia
Since November 2018, 87 belugas and 11 killer whales have been illegally held captive in a “whale prison” off Nakhodka…
Young seal on the beach: leave it alone
Every year, the months of May and June represent the pupping season for harbour seals. During this period, the Quebec…
Sanctuary for Retired Belugas: A World First
Two belugas currently living in an aquarium in Shanghai, China, are getting ready to fly to Iceland. The two whales…
Killer Whale: The Great White’s Greatest Fear
Imagine for a moment that the formidable shark in Jawswere to meet face to face with the friendly orca from…
What should I do in the event of an incidental catch?
In Quebec, the crab and shrimp fishery got underway a few weeks ago. Despite all the efforts made to prevent…
Agendas for Belugas
What could be better than an agenda featuring whales to place them at the heart of our day-to-day concerns? This…
Fossil of four-legged, amphibious whale discovered in Peru
The terrestrial ancestors of whales first entered the water some 50 million years ago in the region around India and…
Decline in fin whales in gulf of St-Lawrence
Fin whales in the northern Gulf of St. Lawrence are in decline, according to a new study published in the…
The St.Lawrence challenge : companies pledge to reduce plastic consumption
The St. Lawrence Challenge is a recognition and commitment program aimed at businesses and recreational tourism establishments that wish to…
Contaminated belugas : Major project launched to understand contamination and its effects
To protect an endangered species, one needs to understand the factors inhibiting its recovery. In the case of the St.…
Prince Albert II of Monaco foundation (Canada) offers $150,000 for St.Lawrence beluga research
Montréal, March 5, 2019: In the presence of His Serene Highness Albert II, Sovereign Prince of Monaco and several directors…
Short bios of women in marine biology
Since 1975, International Women’s Day has been celebrated on March 8. In Canada, women currently account for just one-third of…
Blue whale migratory traditions
Every day, blue whales must devour up to 4 tonnes of krill before they are full. With such an enormous appetite, it’s…
Solitary dolphins and belugas : independant or lost?
The female dolphin known as “Dolphy” regularly plays with swimmers and boats in the French port of Collioure. It is…
A seventh calf, but not a baby boom
Since the beginning of the right whale calving season, 7 newborns have been observed. Although the announcement of a seventh…
Humpback Entangled in 2017 Spotted Alive!
The resilience of whales never ceases to amaze us! By analyzing photos taken in the summer of 2018, the Mingan…
Correlation Confirmed Between Military Sonar and Beaked Whale Mass Strandings
Noise pollution is a growing threat for whales, notably for the beluga population of the St. Lawrence, which is affected…
Right whales : similar measures for 2019
The North Atlantic right whale protection measures for 2019 have been announced, and will include measures better suited to the…
Climate bill to give whales a little boost?
A few days before Christmas, the Pact for Transition offered a “climate anti-deficit” bill to Quebec Premier François Legault. This…
Winter and Seasonal Seals
While harbour seals frequent the waters of the St. Lawrence throughout the year, certain periods are more favourable for observing…
Six newborn right whales : a glimmer of hope
Update of 12 February 2019: A fifth and a sixth calf has been confirmed. Since North Atlantic right whales have…
Master and PhD on belugas
Two Master projects and a PhD project about belugas are recruiting! Master project - UQAR Master project - UQAM PhD…
An ancient whale with neither teeth or baleen
Museum collections are full of fossils that haven’t been carefully examined in years. However, by taking a closer look at…
Putting a face to a call : identifying belugas acoustically
A herd of belugas breaks through the surface of the water as their squawks, chirps, whistles and grunts fill the…
1-877-7Baleine Still Active Throughout the Holidays!
Even if snow covers the shores of the St. Lawrence, Marine Mammal Emergencies continues its work. Throughout the winter, the…
The right whale tale : a year-in-review (2018)
Once believed to be the “right” whales to hunt, the endangered North Atlantic right whale (Eubalaena glacialis) population has been…
Whales on the Big Screen
The Whale Online team has compiled a list of its favourite films and TV series for a home theatre session with whale…
Marine Animal Response Society (MARS) – Nova Scotia, Canada
Marine Animal Response Society (MARS) Nova Scotia, Canada No matter where you are on the planet, marine mammals have allies.…
Right whales : the situation in 2018
2017 was a grim year for the North Atlantic right whales. The deaths of 18 right whales created a shock wave…
New status for fin whales: on the road to recovery?
Fin whales may not be the largest of the whales, but they are certainly one of the fastest! This advantage…
The Nepisiguit River beluga… off Prince Edward Island
Professional scuba diving students were surprised to be joined by a beluga whale during a dive in Summerside Harbour last…
Thank you, Marine Mammal Emergencies volunteers!
On the occasion of International Volunteer Day (December 5), we would like to highlight the important contributions made by the…
North Atlantic right whales : strong presence continues in 2018
The southeastern Gulf of St. Lawrence was home to nearly half of the North Atlantic right whale population this summer,…
Whales stressed up to their ears
Unlike humans, who can clean out the wax that covers their external ear canal (not with Q-tips of course!), whales…
It’s Now or Never for the Vaquitas
Latest sightings of calves bring a new hope for the cetacean that is face-to-face with extinction: the vaquita (Phocoena sinus).…
One Weekend; Two Mass Strandings in New Zealand
About 145 black-bodied whales laid out on a long, sandy beach when two hikers, Liz Carson and Julian Ripoll, stumbled…
Trap-Feeding: a New Creative Feeding Method
Innovation often derives from need. So has been the case for humpback whales off northeastern Vancouver Island, British Columbia. Humpbacks…
Southern resident killer whales : new measures announced
The Government of Canada announced further actions to help protect the endangered Southern Resident Killer Whales (SRKWs) on October 31,…
Mériscope: Overview of Minke Whales
A 23-foot orange Zodiac called Narval is used to approach minke whales. On board you will find the Mériscope crew,…
Ocean School: The Future of Ocean Literacy
Dive deep into the vast blue ocean with turtles, whales and fish right from the convenience of your home or…
Worrying St. Lawrence beluga mortality trend continues in 2018
The tragic plight of the St. Lawrence beluga population continues. Once again this year, researchers are highly concerned about the…
Belugas in aquariums : a brief history
Follow us on a journey that will take you from the St. Lawrence to Vancouver via Russia, New York and…
Whales with different methods of filtering
Baleen refers to the stiff plates of keratin that hang off the upper jaw of some whales, more precisely mysticetes……
Slowing down, for the whales’ sake
A ship that strikes a whale can cause the latter serious injury. In the St. Lawrence, fin whales are particularly…
Protecting species at risk : “Ottawa not doing enough“, says environment commissioner
Delays in the development of action plans, lack of resources, lack of support to partner organizations, neglect that has likely…
Beached minke whale carcass at Pointe-aux-Outardes
On the morning of September 22, a minke whale carcass appeared off the coast of Pointe-aux-Outardes Nature Park. After drifting…
Rare Sowerby’s beaked whale found in Rivière-au-Tonnerre
A beaked whale was discovered stranded in Rivière-au-Tonnerre on September 17. Initial photos of the carcass immediately intrigued the Quebec…
Glasses to see the world like a whale
How would you like to “see” the world the same way a dolphin, a beluga or a sperm whale does?…
Opening of the Northwest passage : marine mammals at risk
With Arctic shipping routes increasingly used by merchant shipping, an ice-free Arctic Ocean could put the resistance and adaptability of…
Wave of solidarity for belugas
The summer of 2018 has seen a succession of announcements for investments and new projects designed to better understand and…
Postdoctoral fellowship offer – Université du Québec en Outaouais (UQO) in collaboration with GREMM
Project title Spatiotemporal Individual-Based Modelling of the St. Lawrence Estuary Beluga Population Project background and objectives St. Lawrence Estuary beluga…
Port developments on the Saguenay: Fisheries and Oceans Canada experts sceptical
Two marine terminal development projects could triple maritime traffic in the Saguenay and lead to a 10% increase in traffic…
Whaling: Poised to fizzle out?
In early July, images of whaling sparked a controversy. Sea Shepherd is concerned that Icelandic whalers have slaughtered a blue whale, which…
Menopause in belugas and narwhals
Menopause is a rather rare phenomenon. And yet a study published in Scientific Reports reveals that the females of two species of…
Whaling: Harvesting Whales in the 21st Century
In early July, images of whaling sparked a controversy. Sea Shepherd is concerned that Icelandic whalers have slaughtered a blue whale,…
Adapting to Disability
GREMM research assistants photograph a group of belugas. Upon closer inspection, they make a surprising discovery: one of the animals…
Hydrodynamics of humpbacks as a health indicator
The way whales slip through the water can tell us if they are in good physical shape, reveals a study published…
Well-known beluga dies
July 29, 2018, 2:40 p.m.: the phone rings, breaking the silence at the Marine Mammal Emergencies call centre. Two recreational boaters…
Analyzing Underwater Sound as if Playing a Video Game
A simulator of marine mammal movements and shipping traffic will be given a new lease of life thanks to a…
The Nepisiguit beluga is alive and well
Great news! The beluga that was trapped in the Nepisiguit River in New Brunswick and relocated to the St. Lawrence…
First case of right whale entanglement in 2018
July 13, 2018, 14:45, off the coast of New Brunswick’s Miscou Island, an aerial survey conducted by the National Oceanic and…
Protecting belugas from increasing shipping traffic in the arctic
The Arctic is undergoing a transformation. Melting pack ice is opening up new shipping routes and setting the stage for…
Two new beluga carcasses found in Bas-Saint-Laurent
Two beluga carcasses were found just two days apart in the Bas-Saint-Laurent region. The first carcass reported on July 9…
100-metre buffer established for observing whales in Canada
Marine mammal conservationists have reason to celebrate: From now on, it will be forbidden to approach within 100 metres of…
Fishing Season Ends with No Reported Incidents Involving Right Whales
Over the next few days, the lobster and snow crab seasons will end in most parts of the Gulf of…
Banc-des-Américains : a new marine protected Area
The governments of Quebec and Canada have announced the creation of a new jointly-managed marine protected area at the American…
Entangled whales: a complex situation
Coordinating a disentanglement Every year, the Quebec Marine Mammal Emergency Response Network (RQUMM) receives reports of marine mammals entangled in…
Saguenay-St. Lawrence marine park: 20 years of conservation efforts
The Saguenay-St. Lawrence Marine Park as we know it today was created in 1998. However, it took several decades of…
A new measure for belugas in the marine park
Calving season for St. Lawrence belugas is right around the corner, and to provide these animals with an area of…
A Summer School on Animal Cognition
Are fishes sentient? Do squid have a sense of self? Who are dolphins and can they be considered as nonhuman…
Young live seal on the river banks: do not disturb!
If you see a young seal on the beach, let it rest. The months of May and June are pupping…
27 right whale sightings later, a normal fishing season
Five aircraft conducting aerial surveillance have spotted up to 27 right whales this season, which has resulted in several fishing…
Robots amongst the whales
Remote-controlled gadgets are becoming more popular for studying whales. Some have wings; some have propellers; other have sails or even…
Beluga, what are you doing under the water?
The lives of diving animals take place for the most part under water, out of human sight. Can we, by…
First right whale observed in Canadian waters
Off the coast of Cape Breton, Nova Scotia, the first right whale of the season was observed during aerial surveillance…
Seals: topic of interest at marine mammals emergencies
Nearly a dozen seal carcasses were reported to 1-877-7baleine in April, and soon the first reports of pups will also…
Record Number of Humpbacks Identified in 2017
The Mingan Island Cetacean Study (MICS) was able to identify 121 humpback whales in 2017, a record number! Of these, 98…
Never before seen footage of fin whale feeding behavior
By François Vachon The scientific team from EDMAKTUB filmed unprecedented images of fin whales surface feeding off the coast of…
Local residents, fishermen and boaters requested to report any dead or vulnerable marine mammal to 1-877-7baleine
With the return of mild temps and melting ice, this is the time of year when residents, fishermen and boat…
Right whales: measures to prevent entanglements and collisions
Although changes made to the fishing season are of concern to many workers, be they fishermen or processing plant employees,…
Right whales: an entangled whale named Kleenex
Researchers call her Kleenex. Known since 1977, this right whale has been swimming with a rope wrapped around her head…
Reminder to fishermen: report all entangled whales to 1-877-7baleine
The commercial fishing season is well underway. This is the time of year when Mammal Marine Emergencies reminds fishermen that…
Earth Day 2018: We all take a bit of the blame
Earth Day will be celebrated around the world on April 22. In Quebec, the tone is more severe than in…
Belugas: first carcass for 2018 and recap of 2017
On March 26, the first beluga carcass of 2018 was reported to 1-877-7baleine at Coin-du-Banc in the Gaspé Peninsula. The carcass was…
Federal government announces new protective measures for right whales
By François Vachon The year 2017 was a particularly grim year for right whales. A total of 17 carcasses were…
Humpback stranded in magdalen islands: questions & answers
On Sunday, March 25, the Quebec Marine Mammal Emergency Response Network received a call concerning a beached humpback whale in the surf at Étang-du-Nord…
An elusive species faces extinction
Researchers are sounding the alarm to prevent the imminent disappearance of the Gulf of Mexico Bryde’s whale. “This mammal is…
Stopping the flow of plastics into the ocean
Last week, the European Commission unveiled its strategy for reducing the amount of plastic waste landfilled and discharged into the…
Youth Programs for Environmental and Conservation Awareness
Are you interested in a career focused on the environment, wildlife conservation and awareness of your country's natural heritage? A…
New fishery management measures in effort tu curb right whale mortality
Four new management measures for the snow crab fishery have been announced by Fisheries and Oceans Canada Minister Dominic LeBlanc…
Right Whale Mortalities 2017: Overview
In 2017, 18 right whale carcasses have been found in the North Atlantic near the Canadian and US coasts. For…
What NASA data can tell us about mass strandings
Solar storms are not the primary cause of mass cetacean strandings in Cape Cod Bay, claims a new study conducted…
Do dolphins get Alzheimer’s?
For the first time, a study has shown clear signs of Alzheimer’s disease in a wild animal: the dolphin. Both…
Gifts that keep on giving!
By Stéphanie Tremblay The holiday season is fast approaching! With it comes the conundrum of brainstorming for gift ideas. That…
Drilling near the St. Lawrence: A threat to marine mammals?
Between now and Christmas, the Government of Quebec is hoping to put into place a regulatory framework for hydrocarbon exploitation…
What kind of seal is that?
One observer reported a seal carcass found in Cacouna to the Marine Mammals Emergencies call centre. What species is it?…
Studying reproduction like two matching pieces of a puzzle
Do female dolphins have any control over which male they reproduce with? The question seems straightforward, but the method of…
Right whales still present in gulf
At least 15 right whale sightings were made in the Gulf of St. Lawrence during the week of November 17,…
Return of winter seals: two new sightings
Nordic visitors were spotted last weekend in the Gaspé as well as in the Bellechasse region upstream of the Estuary.…
Could solar storms be to blame for a mass stranding?
The stranding of 29 sperm whales in the North Sea in early 2016 may have been caused by solar storms…
Boats to maintain greater distance from killer whales
By next spring, vessels off the coast of British Columbia will no longer be permitted to approach within 200 metres…
Return of winter seals
In these early days of autumn, seals that spend their winters in the waters of the St. Lawrence are returning…
Stranded newborn beluga in Alaska still in intensive care
Since being found stranded alive on September 30, the newborn beluga of the Cook Inlet population is still in intensive…
#SMM2017 Day 5: Cry of the Heart
That's it, the marathon of presentations is over! The 22nd Biennial Conference on the Biology of Marine Mammals, held in…
#SMM2017 Day 4: Piggybacking on Others’ Ideas
The onslaught continues: lectures, flash presentations, videos, plenaries, posters and discussions with colleagues hailing from every continent. A biennial is…
#SMM2017 Day 3: Intriguing New Technologies
Day 3 of the 22nd Biennial Conference on the Biology of Marine Mammals. Some of the faces amongst the thousands…
Fresh beluga carcass found in Saint-ulric
The Matane unit of Sureté du Québec contacted 1-877-7baleine after a resident stopped by the station to report a live…
Bigger brain, greater degree of sociability?
Is there a correlation between brain size and the diversity of social behaviours exhibited by a species? In cetaceans, it…
#SMM2017 Day 2: New Technologies, Coloured Ropes and Information-packed Brains
Fifteen-minute presentations, four-minute flash communications and five-minute science videos: a total of 141 presentations were delivered at Scotiabank Centre in…
#SMM2017 Day 1: Focus on Conservation
Day 1 of the 22nd Biennial Conference on the Biology of Marine Mammals in Halifax. Already, our heads are filled…
Extremely Rare Beaked Whale Species Stranded in Magdalen Islands
Two carcasses are found side by side on the Pointe-aux-Loups beach on October 13. Observers initially believe they have found…
Whales Online at the 22nd Biennial Conference on the Biology of Marine Mammals
From October 22-27, the Whales Online team will be covering the 22nd Biennial Conference on the Biology of Marine Mammals…
Microorganisms in whale breath
A large group of bacteria was identified for the first time in the breath (or blow) of humpback whales. Whether…
From the sea to the lab: the journey of a beluga carcass (3/3)
In the past two weeks, we’ve tracked the journeys of beluga carcasses from the open sea to the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine…
Underwater mines: biologists concerned
Japan announced last week that it had successfully extracted zinc, gold, copper and lead from the seabed along the coast…
Rescue in Progress: Stranded Newborn Beluga in Alaska
It measures just 162 cm and weighs a mere 64.5 kg. A newborn beluga just two to four weeks old was found…
From the sea to the lab: the journey of a beluga carcass (2/3)
From Necropsy to Microscope Last week, we tracked the journey of a female beluga from drifting offshore to the Faculty of Veterinary…
North Atlantic right whales declining since 2010, confirms study
Thanks to a new statistical model, US government researchers and the New England Aquarium are able to more accurately estimate…
Who wants to play beluga researcher?
A team of researchers from Manitoba needs your eyes to sort through thousands of underwater photos of belugas. Are you…
From the sea to the lab: the journey of a beluga carcass (1/3)
Follow the stages of a beluga carcass recovery, from the initial report to the trip to the Faculty of Veterinary…
Raising Funds to Support Belugas and Killer Whales
From coast to coast, Simons is supporting research on St. Lawrence belugas and Pacific killer whales by symbolically adopting Artsea…
Ancient whales with teeth like lions
Ancient whales had extremely sharp teeth, similar to those of land-based predators such as lions and dingoes, recently discovered researchers…
1-877-7baleine still active as autumn draws near
With the beginning of the school year, the crowds of vacationers are thinning out on the shores of the St.…
Reduced speed limits for ships: an effective measure for protecting whales?
In order to protect North Atlantic right whales, the Canadian government has temporarily reduced speed limits for large vessels in…
A summer overshadowed by right whale mortalities
The Marine Mammal Emergencies call centre has already handled nearly 200 cases and just over 350 calls this year. These figures are…
Whales, death and mourning
By Maureen Jouglain An understanding of death and reaction to the loss of a loved one are generally considered to…
Studying Gannets to better understand the feeding activities of whales
A text from Sonia Villalon The monitoring of northern gannet populations (Morus bassanus) is of particular interest for understanding changes…
Let’s Talk Whales! Online consultation on endangered whales
With Let’s Talk Whales, the Government of Canada is launching a comprehensive online public consultation on protective measures to implement…
On the path of the blue whale: from the St-Lawrence to the United States
By Maureen Jouglain A study published in July 2017 in the journal Endangered Species Research presents the first records of…
Marine mammal emergencies season in full swing
With the call centre team handling dozens of calls daily already in these first few days of August, the season…
Whales in the nets
As evidenced by the news in the past few weeks, when whales get entangled in fishing gear, there can be…
Good navigation practices for Beluga conservation
In this beluga calving season, Fisheries and Oceans Canada's "Show you care, keep your distance!" awareness campaign reminds us of…
Less and less oxygen in the St. Lawrence
During their recent mission aboard the Coriolis II, researchers observed the lowest concentrations of dissolved oxygen ever recorded in the…
Whale alert app now available in French
Whale Alert, an application developed to reduce the risk of collisions between ships and whales, is now available in French.…
Whale-watching tours: opportunities to educate and raise awareness?
A case study in Juneau, Alaska demonstrates the potential of whale-watching tours as an educational and public awareness tool for…
Mark your calendar: Talk “Where everything revolved around whales”
An invitation to travel through "Whale Civilization" The kick-off for summer talks has finally arrived! For the first gathering of…
St. Lawrence week: fin whale
By Marie-Sophie Giroux Rapid and Agile Greyhound of the Sea During the St. Lawrence Week, Whales Online features every day…
Making of Film Of Whales, the Moon and Men Designated Historic Event
The making of the film Of Whales, the Moon and Men (1962) by Pierre Perrault, Michel Brault and Marcel Carrière…
Supporting Research, one Raspberry Blanche at a Time
Is it possible to drink beer and support St. Lawrence beluga research at the same time? Yes, thanks to Les…
Banned flame retardants still present in St. Lawrence belugas
Despite the measures that have been put into place in Canada since 2006 to reduce the concentrations of certain flame…
St. Lawrence Week: Humpback Whale
As part of St. Lawrence Week, Whales Online offers a glimpse of species that have a special meaning for each…
St. Lawrence Week: A Tribute to the Whales
During the St. Lawrence Week, from June 3 to June 11 2017, Whales Online features every day a different whale…
St. Lawrence Week: Blue Whale
As part of St. Lawrence Week, Whales Online offers a glimpse of species that have a special meaning for each…
St. Lawrence Week: North Atlantic Right Whale
As part of St. Lawrence Week, Whales Online offers a glimpse of species that have a special meaning for each…
Second minke whale stranded in lévis in one year
Update On the afternoon of June 6, veterinarian Stéphane Lair conducted a cursory external exam of the minke whale. It was confirmed…
St. Lawrence Week: Minke Whale
As part of St. Lawrence Week, Whales Online offers a glimpse of species that have a special meaning for…
Vaquita could disappear within a year
On September 26, 2018, scientists aboard the Narval spotted a pair of vaquitas: one of the individuals was much smaller…
Blue Whale Feeding Disturbed by Nearby Watercraft
According to a recent study conducted by researchers at Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) and the Rimouski-based Institute of Ocean…
Summer closure of fisheries: a potential solution for protecting right whales?
To ensure the survival of the North Atlantic right whale, should we mitigate the risk of entanglements with fishing equipment?…
Young Seal on the River Banks: Do Not Disturb!
The months of May and June are pupping season for harbour seals. Every year, the Quebec Marine Mammal Emergency Response…
Toward a better co-existence of shipping traffic and belugas in the St. Lawrence
To facilitate the recovery of whales at risk in the St. Lawrence, researchers, wildlife managers and industry are working together…
Quantifying the Number of Belugas in the St. Lawrence
Article by Robert Michaud Fisheries and Oceans Canada recently published the results of the most recent St. Lawrence beluga census,…
Young Humpback Found Stranded in Godbout Given Second Life in Tadoussac
On the shores of the Côte-Nord region, near Godbout, a small humpback whale was reported to Marine Mammal Emergencies on…
North Atlantic Right Whales Making Headlines: What’s Going On?
In recent months, the North Atlantic right whale has been much talked about. An unprecedented number of whales in Cape…
Studying Whale Breath: New Discoveries and Techniques
A Canadian-US research team has undertaken a study on the fungi and bacteria found in the breath of southern resident…
How does a predator go about eating an eight-legged prey almost as big as itself?
With no hands, how can one get the better of a live eight-armed prey measuring over one metre long equipped…
Earth Day 2017: Three Gestures for the Whales
For the occasion of Earth Day (April 22), Whales Online proposes three simple actions to help preserve the ecosystems that…
Citizens of the St. Lawrence, stay alert! Report any dead or vulnerable marine mammal to 1-877-7baleine
The Quebec Marine Mammal Emergency Response Network (QMMERN) relies on cooperative local citizens and fishermen to promptly report any dead or struggling…
Amendment to the marine activities in the Saguenay-St.Lawrence park regulations: greater protection for whales
Reduced speed for all boats in certain areas, prohibition of certain activities, clarification of the definition of disturbance to marine…
Dead beluga stranded in magdalen islands; a carcass protected by law
On Saturday, a beluga washed up onto Fatima beach in the Magdalen Islands. The carcass is being eyed by local…
First beluga carcass of the year reported in gaspésie
The first beluga carcass of the year was reported to Marine Mammals Emergencies. A resident of the Gaspé Peninsula town…
Spring Reveals Two Dolphin Carcasses in Sainte-Flavie
Two white-sided dolphin carcasses were discovered in Sainte-Flavie on March 21. A resident of this Lower St. Lawrence town and…
Call of the Baby Beluga aired on National Geographic
Interview with Michael Parfit and Suzanne Chisholm, director and producer National Geographic's prestigious TV channel Nat Geo Wild will broadcast…
Harbour Porpoise Shows Fastest Developing Hearing Amongst Mammals
Thirty hours: that’s all it takes for harbour porpoises to develop their hearing to the same level as adults. In…
Vancouver Aquarium: end of captivity for cetaceans
On March 9, after two evenings of public hearings, the Vancouver Parks Commission decided: there will be no more cetaceans…
Intimidating Predators in a Less Icy Arctic
Marine mammal populations are accustomed to spending their summers in certain predator-free parts of the Arctic to give birth to,…
Dead Whale Adrift Amongst the Gaspé Ice Floes
Reports have been flying back and forth for the past three days: a whale carcass has been drifting along the…
Giant of Giants Honoured at Toronto’s Royal Ontario Museum
On March 11, the Royal Ontario Museum in Toronto will launch its new exhibition dedicated to the largest animal the…
Counting whales from space
Can whales be counted using photos taken from outer space? Two researchers from Perth, Australia, are attempting to conduct a…
Whale Week 2017: February 13-17
Organized by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the event aims to raise public awareness about whales and to…
Hundreds of Whales Beached in New Zealand
Last weekend, over 600 pilot whales ran aground at Farewell Spit Beach in New Zealand. Hundreds of volunteers attempted to…
US standards to reduce global bycatch?
Since January 1, 2017, the United States has adopted a new seafood import regulation: foreign fisheries wishing to export to…
When opera embraces belugas: an encounter of great beauty!
A mother beluga and her offspring gracefully slip through the waters of the St. Lawrence under the watchful eye of…
Fernand-Seguin Scholarship 2017: the Next Generation of Science Journalism
Get out your pens, cameras and computers! The Fernand-Seguin 2017 Scholarship is underway! Since 1981, this competition has represented an…
Marine Mammals in a Warmer and Less Icy St. Lawrence
A study released this month by the Maurice Lamontagne Institute of Fisheries and Oceans Canada reveals that significant changes are…
Drawing Contest Mon fleuve et moi, 2016-2017 Edition
Through their drawings, Quebec students aged 6 through 20 are invited to depict their dream activity related to the St.…
Fin Whale Carcass in Montmagny: Flashback to 1988
A few weeks ago, a botanist passionate about nature and wildlife took advantage of a winter day to sort through…
Baby on mom’s left or right?
Do you tend to carry your baby on your left? And does your child tend to position themselves so that…
Daniel Pauly, Radio-Canada’s 2016 Scientist of the Year, will be featured on the program Les années lumière
His involvement "for having revealed the true scale of overfishing in the planet's oceans" has led him to become the…
Is it normal to see seals on the ice?
Calls made to 1-877-7baleine since the end of last year were mostly from witnesses who observed seals lying on the…
A Recovery Plan for Alaskan Belugas
In these early days of 2017, the US government released its Cook Inlet Beluga Whale Recovery Plan, a population listed…
Baby Beluga in the Limelight in 2016
Reported on Radio-Canada’s website by journalist Ariane Perron-Langlois, the story of the live newborn beluga found beached was one of…
Volunteering for Marine Mammal Emergencies
Every year since 2012, the Quebec Marine Mammal Emergency Response Network has been recruiting volunteers who are available and motivated…
Trans Mountain and Killer Whales: Underestimated Impacts?
On November 29, the Trudeau government gave the go-ahead for the proposed expansion of the Kinder Morgan's Trans Mountain pipeline…
New Marine Protected Area in the Canadian Arctic
On November 16, Fisheries and Oceans Canada announced the creation of the largest Marine Protected Area (MPA) in the Canadian…
Marine Mammal Emergencies: an Active and Essential Network
In its 12th season, 1-877-7baleine team expended considerable effort to process no fewer than 410 calls from citizens reporting dead…
Busy Fall at 1-877-7baleine
One would've thought that the off season translates into peace and quiet at the Marine Mammal Emergencies call centre, but…
Humpbacks in 3D at the Montréal Science Centre
Dive into the splendid waters of Alaska, Hawaii and the Kingdom of Tonga for an immersive experience in the heart…
Blue Whale Found Dead in St. Lawrence Waters
A rare occurrence in the St. Lawrence; researchers of the Quebec Marine Mammal Emergency Response Network confirmed this week that…
Two Belugas Die at the Vancouver Aquarium… Now What?
Last week, Aurora, a female beluga who spent the last 26 years of her life at the Vancouver Aquarium, died…
Become an Earth Ranger and Help Protect Belugas !
The Earth Rangers organization helps protect St. Lawrence belugas and invites all children and their families to participate in the…
Narwhals Use Sound… Like a Flashlight!
The narwhal, sometimes called the unicorn of the sea, is not an imaginary creature. It is a real animal, but…
Belugas entrusted to Quebec premier and canadian prime minister
Scientists are concerned: not only have the federal and provincial governments been slow to implement a recovery strategy for the…
Rare adult hooded seals on shore!
An employee of Saumon Gaspé (Translator's note: a salmon fishing outfitter) was in for a surprise on Tuesday morning as…
National oceans protection plan: necessary but….
Last week, the Government of Canada announced its $1.5 billion, 5-year National Oceans Protection Plan. The plan aims to create…
“No Maritime Strategy without a Beluga Strategy” Warn Nature Québec and CPAWS Quebec
At a press conference on November 1, 2016, Nature Québec and CPAWS Quebec call for a beluga strategy in response…
Scientists Remain Concerned about Belugas
The 2016 season adds to the spate of St. Lawrence beluga mortalities: 14 carcasses were recovered and examined. It's not…
Marine Mammal Emergencies “Detectives”
This morning, a resident of the Bas-Saint-Laurent region reported the carcass of a toothed whale with a dark back and…
A Whale’s History Written in its Baleen
Biologists are still learning to read the life history of individual whales by studying their baleen. Just like the growth…
Live Stranded Dolphins: Story from an Anticosti Island Resident
Marine Mammal Emergencies has been busy since early fall, especially with incidents involving live stranded dolphins. On September 28, six…
Beluga Skeleton at Collège Lionel-Groulx
Since late August 2016, there has been a new permanent resident in the Nature Wing of the Collège Lionel-Groulx: a…
Beluga Skeleton at Lionel-Groulx College
Since late August 2016, there has been a new permanent resident in the Nature Wing of the Collège Lionel-Groulx: a…
What should be done if a cetacean is stranded alive?
Last August 29, a mother and daughter found a live harbour porpoise stranded on the beach in the town of…
Nine Populations of Humpbacks Taken off Endangered Species List
On September 6, 2016, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the US agency that manages and protects whale stocks,…
October 6 and 7, 2016 – AquaHacking Summit: United for the St. Lawrence
For two days – Thursday, October 6 and Friday, October 7, 2016 – the St. Lawrence River will be the…
19 to 25 September 2016: Science Literacy Week
Science Literacy Week highlights Canada’s outstanding scientists and science communicators from coast-to-coast. The goals are to showcase the excellence and…
Safer Fishing Rope for Whales
The US government recently granted $180,000 to the New England Aquarium to design safer fishing gear for whales – namely…
Collision off Les Bergeronnes: Lessons to be Learned?
On Monday, August 29, a Zodiac captain working for Croisières Essipit and a passenger were thrown overboard from their tour…
Boater Awareness
In the latest issue of its magazine Plaisance (September 2016), the Regroupement des plaisanciers du Québec (Quebec boaters society, RQP) reminds recreational boaters of…
Struggling Belugas in the Saguenay-St. Lawrence Marine Park
Last week, Marine Mammal Emergencies received several calls for two vulnerable belugas: one near the Pointe-Noire observation site at the…
A Tragic Series Continues
Third Young Beluga Found Stranded this Season In the late morning hours of July 31, Marine Mammal Emergencies received a…
July 29-31: Beluga watching awareness campaign
For the second consecutive year, Fisheries and Oceans Canada and Parks Canada are encouraging recreational boaters to adopt good practices…
Leave it or learn
Last June 30, when a newborn beluga orphan was found on a beach in Rivière-du-Loup, a team from the Group for Research and…
5th Beluga Carcass for 2016
A kayaker was the first to report a beluga carcass when he contacted the media yesterday morning, July 17. Marine…
Flame Retardants in St. Lawrence Whales
[caption id="attachment_20043" align="alignright" width="250"] L'équipe du Mériscope © Mériscope[/caption] The Mériscope team is excited. This is the beginning of the…
Rescue Attempt of a Young Beluga Stranded Alive – Updated July 7, 2016: Video Posted
On June 30, 2016, a female beluga just a few hours old was found stranded alive in Rivière-du-Loup. The team…
Raspberry White Beer on Sale Now, For the Belugas!
Launched this spring by Les Bières Béluga Ltée, last week a new raspberry-flavoured white beer hit the shelves of numerous…
Drones and Whales
Recently, whale-watching guides and companies have expressed concerns about drones flying near killer whales off the west coasts of Canada…
Fresh Beluga Carcass Found in Sainte-Flavie
On the morning of June 28, the municipality of Sainte-Flavie received a call from citizens who had discovered a beluga…
Remarkable mobilization for the adoption of the beluga Amino
On June 12, 2016, following the broadcast of Animo on ICI Radio-Canada Télé, viewers rallied in large numbers to collectively adopt the eponymously-named…
Final journey of a Sowerby’s beaked whale
A Sowerby’s beaked whale was reported to 1-877-7baleine on Monday, June 13 on the shores of Escuminac in the Gaspé…
Study Reveals Exceptional Efficiency of a Small Hunter
The harbour porpoise feeds day and night, aiming to capture up to 550 small fish per hour, with a success…
Young Seal Disturbed at Cap-aux-Os: Key Things to Remember
A young harbour seal was reported last week on a Gaspé Bay beach. The case sparked many reactions and unprecedented…
Mortality of a Female Beluga
On 29 May 2016, an article about a beluga carcasse found in Les Escoumins was published. The fresh carcass was transported to the…
Energy East Pipeline: GREMM Brief Made Public
Although TransCanada abandoned its oil terminal project in Cacouna in April 2015, whales of the St. Lawrence are still threatened…
June 4 through 12, 2016: Week of the St. Lawrence
Stratégies Saint-Laurent, the de Gaspé Beaubien Foundation and 33 other organizations invite Quebec citizens to celebrate the river during the…
A sanctuary for cetaceans: a controversial project
A group of activists has announced its plans to create the world’s first coastal sanctuary for cetaceans – whales, dolphins,…
25 May 2016: Launch of a beer for St. Lawrence marine mammals
This Wednesday 25 May, from 4 to 7 pm, join us at the Broue Pub Brouhaha Ahuntsic for the launch of the…
Live Seal Pup on the Beach: What Should You Do?
The months of May and June correspond to the pupping season for harbour seals. Every year, the Quebec Marine Mammal…
Critical St.Lawrence beluga habitat to be protected at last
The Government of Canada has published a notice in the Canada Gazette announcing that under the federal Species at Risk Act (SARA),…
Mortalities in the Estuary
A Beluga Carcass in Bas-Saint-Laurent Every year, the Quebec Marine Mammal Emergency Response Network handles between 15 and 20 cases of…
Baleen Whale Migration Revisited
According to literature, most Mysticeti whales – also known as baleen whales – undertake seasonal migrations between high and low…
Young Minke Whale Beached in Québec City Region
The story has already generated its share of headlines: a whale, more specifically a minke whale, was found dead on…
Show me your teeth and I’ll tell you who you are
Since early April, Marine Mammal Emergencies has handled three cases involving seal carcasses: two in Sept-Îles and one in Sainte-Anne-des-Monts. There…
Seismic Surveys Could Drive Right Whale to Extinction
In a letter to President Obama on April 14, 2016, twenty-seven scientists present their concerns about the impacts of seismic…
When Sharing a Meal Keeps a Family Together
Although a killer whale can easily swallow a whole salmon, it prefers to tear it into pieces to share with…
Could Climate Change Benefit Some Cetaceans?
According to an article published on April 5, 2016 in National Geographic, some whales, especially humpback and bowhead whales, could…
First “Marine Mammal Emergencies” Cases of the Season
Activity at the Call Centre 1-877-7baleine changes with the seasons; April and May are the months when we receive reports…
New Investments in the St. Lawrence: Opportunity to Reconcile Conservation and Development?
New investments recently announced by the Canadian and Quebec governments in port areas and the marine ecosystem of the St.…
Marine Mammal Emergencies Reiterates the Importance of Reporting Dead or Vulnerable Marine Mammals
[caption id="attachment_18443" align="alignright" width="250"] © Marie-Frédérique Robitaille[/caption] The arrival of spring is synonymous with the return of marine mammals that…
Energy East Project: Another Threat to the Whales of the St. Lawrence
The testimony of Émilien Pelletier before Quebec's environmental assessment agency (BAPE) last week cast a dark cloud over the whales…
Marine Mammal Emergencies Gears Up for Another Season
[caption id="attachment_18286" align="alignright" width="184"] © Fabienne Michot[/caption] After two months of complete silence in the 1-877-7baleine call centre, a case…
Blue Whales of Antarctica: Three Populations of Giants
The Antarctic blue whale, which is endangered, falls into three genetically distinct populations. This was the conclusion of a recent…
Smarter seafood to extend to 40 species
Smarter Seafood recently unveiled the list of 41 marine species harvested using sustainable practices that are recommended for consumption for…
Toxins Detected in Alaska Marine Mammals
Toxins produced by certain algae are present in Alaska's food chain in concentrations high enough to be detected in many…
Animo Meets Up with St. Lawrence Belugas
On February 27, the team from Explora's Animo series takes you on board the Bleuvet to discover, together with the…
Accumulation of Heavy Metals in a Group of Stranded Long-finned Pilot Whales in Scotland
A study by researchers at the University of Aberdeen, in collaboration with the Scottish Marine Animal Stranding Scheme, recently demonstrated…
24 St.Lawrence belugas have been adopted!
In late 2014, the Group for Research and Education on Marine Mammals (GREMM) and its colleagues from the St. Lawrence Beluga…
Rare Cuvier’s Beaked Whale Found Dead in Nova Scotia
On February 7, Nova Scotia's Marine Mammal Emergency Response Network, the Marine Animal Response Society (MARS), received a report of…
North American Right Whale on Semaine verte Now Online
On February 13, Radio-Canada's Semaine verte presented a chronicle of the fragile North Atlantic right whale, victim of intensive hunting that…
St. Lawrence Belugas Declining
DOSSIER UPDATED FEBRUARY 8, 2016 – In 2015, of the 14 carcasses found, four have been confirmed as newborns and…
Preserving Quiet Habitats… So That They Stay That Way
A number of conservation projects aim to protect critical habitats for marine mammal populations with one of the objectives being…
Over Twenty Whales Die in North Sea in One Month
Since mid-January, 25 sperm whales have been found beached on the British, Dutch and German coasts. The reasons for these…
As the Crow Flies: Drones as a Promising Research Tool
Drones offer researchers new means of obtaining data on wild animal populations. They help enlarge the field of view of…
Call of the Baby Beluga, The nature of things (CBC), January 28, 2016
A young beluga is stranded on the shores of the St. Lawrence... and it's alive! A team of scientists decides…
Breaching: energy-intensive but beneficial for diving
Myoglobin carries and stores oxygen in the muscles of vertebrates. It is particularly abundant in marine mammals and is believed…
Seals on the Ice: Cause for Concern?
Since the beginning of winter, Marine Mammal Emergencies has received reports of seals on the ice in the Gaspé region,…
Boat Speed Noise Responsible for Disturbance of Killer Whales
The speed of boats travelling in the vicinity of killer whales is believed to be the greatest factor affecting ambient…
Marine Mammal Emergencies Needs You!
Do you live near the St. Lawrence? Do you enjoy walking on its shores? Do you have a flexible schedule…
Film In the Heart of the Sea Hits Theatres December 11
For centuries, whales have sparked the imagination. This Friday, December 11, the film In the Heart of the Sea will…
Entangled Right Whale: an Extra Weight to Tow
Over 75% of North Atlantic right whales show injuries or scars caused by fishing gear. A study conducted by the…
Here we go again! Seals on the horizon…
On December 10, the Marine Mammal Emergencies Call Centre was contacted by a media source: it had received a report…
December 13-18, 2015: 21st Biennial Conference on the Biology of Marine Mammals
This international gathering, organized by the Society for Marine Mammalogy, rallies researchers, students and professionals from around the globe to…
Sperm Whales Robbing Fishermen of Their Catch
Sablefish fishermen in the Gulf of Alaska face a major competitor to their operations: male sperm whales. The latter come…
What do Belugas Teach Us about the St. Lawrence and about Ourselves? (8/8)
Beluga stories: this is the final episode of the transcript of the training lecture given by Robert Michaud at the…
Autumn Surprise
For nearly a month, the phone at the Call Centre 1-877-7baleine has been silent. Then, it's just before 5 pm…
Southern Right Whales Targeted by Gulls
The waters around Argentina's Valdes Peninsula are thebreeding and calving grounds for southern right whales (Eubalaena australis). These whales have…
FIRST COLLECTIVE ADOPTION COMPLETED; DL0030 TO BE CALLED ATHÉNA
Almost a year to the day after the second wave of the Adopt a Beluga campaign was launched (in French), the first…
Biography of Frédéric Back
Author Hélène Jasmin recently compiled this biography (in French) about the famous filmmaker who passed away in 2013 and illustrious…
BELUGAS ON THE MOVE VIDEO CLIP PRESENTING THE PROJECT: STUNNING FOOTAGE
At the dawn of the beluga seasonal migration, one question remains: where will they winter? This is the question that…
Belugas on the Move
Video Clip Presenting the Project: Stunning Footage
At the dawn of the beluga seasonal migration, one question remains: where will they winter? This is the question that…
A SECOND BEER FOR THE ADOPTION OF AL BY LES BIÈRES BÉLUGAS LTÉE
Anticipated announcement: the second in a series of three beers developed by the team from Les Bières Bélugas Ltée is…
What do Belugas Teach Us about the St. Lawrence and about Ourselves? (7/8)
Beluga stories: this is the seventh episode of the transcript of the training lecture given by Robert Michaud at the…
Right Whale Festival, November 21, 2015
Held in Jacksonville, Florida, this festive rendez-vous celebrates the impending return of North Atlantic right whales to the coastal waters…
New Information on Extremely Rare Omura’s Whales
Omura's whale (Balaenoptera omurai), formerly considered to be a "pygmy form" of the Bryde's whale, was recognized as a full…
What do Belugas Teach Us about the St. Lawrence and about Ourselves? (6/8)
Beluga stories: this is the sixth episode of the transcript of the training lecture given by Robert Michaud at the…
US Navy to Limit its Military Activities for the Sake of Whale Conservation
An agreement has been signed between the US Navy and environmental groups to limit military activities that are harmful to…
“Moby Dick” at the Théâtre du Nouveau Monde beginning September 22, 2015
SPECTACULAR CHASE IN STORMY SEAS Dominic Champagne revolutionized the staging of great mythical tales with The Odyssey. Now he is…
Why so many questions?
The 1-877-7baleine call centre team frequently says that their work often resembles that of a detective! When a mammal is…
What do Belugas Teach Us about the St. Lawrence and about Ourselves? (5/8)
Beluga stories: this is the fifth episode of the transcript of the training lecture given by Robert Michaud at the…
What are the causes of mortality of the whales being found on the coasts of Alaska and British Columbia in recent months?
Over thirty whales have been found dead off the coasts of Alaska and British Columbia in the past few months.…
October 13-15, 2015: Symposium on Impact of Human Disturbance on Arctic Marine Mammals
From October 13 to 15, 2015, NAMMCO (The North Atlantic Marine Mammal Commission) is organizing a symposium on the effects…
The David Suzuki Foundation presents the Elections Challenge: 100 days to protect the beluga
“Is the protection of the 900 belugas of the St. Lawrence one of your hopes for the future? What if…
Cap sur les baleines, Episode 4: Olivia Capeillere
Olivia Capeillere crossed the Atlantic to follow her passion for the titans that inhabit the St. Lawrence. As a naturalist…
Pregnancy Tests for Belugas
Update – September 30, 2015 The final day of the program was September 25. Weather conditions were favourable, which allowed…
What do Belugas Teach Us about the St. Lawrence and about Ourselves? (4/8)
Beluga stories: this is the fourth episode of the transcript of the training lecture given by Robert Michaud at the…
The Fourth Season of the Large Rorqual Telemetric Monitoring Project in the Marine Park is Underway
September 23: What about their Prey?
DOSSIER UPDATED September 23: What do rorquals prey on? The fourth season of the large rorqual monitoring project ended in…
Beaked Whale Ancestors Hunted Mostly Near the Surface
The discovery of a fossil of a beaked whale (Messapicetus gragarius) dating back 9 million years reveals that this animal…
Another Behemoth Stranded in the Magdalen Islands
[caption id="attachment_13837" align="alignright" width="250"] © Léonard Chevarie[/caption] The North Atlantic right whale that washed up on the western dunes in…
What do Belugas Teach Us about the St. Lawrence and about Ourselves? (3/8)
Beluga stories: this is the third episode of the transcript of the training lecture given by Robert Michaud at the…
Belugas “On the Run”
September 18, 2015: Fisheries and Oceans Canada reminds the public not to interact with the beluga
News: September 18, 2015: Fisheries and Oceans Canada reminds the public not to interact with the beluga We haven't heard…
The Leap Manifesto
The authors of the The Leap Manifesto chose a whale to illustrate their hopes and concerns for a more just…
End of Summer at Marine Mammal Emergencies
As summer is winding down in the coastal areas of the St. Lawrence, one might think that the telephone at…
Cap sur les baleines, Episode 3: Simon Gauthier
Professional storyteller Simon Gauthier pounds the pavement, his backpack chock full of tales, baleinophone in hand. The pioneer of whale…
New Version of Large Rorqual Catalogue Released!
The Group for Research and Education on Marine Mammals (GREMM) and Parks Canada, along with their financial partners Fondation de…
Cap sur les baleines, Episode 2: Marie Guilpin
Marie Guilpin crossed the Atlantic to study the whales of the St. Lawrence. As a Ph.D. student in oceanography in…
Piper’s Adventure Caught on Camera
A little more than two months have passed since the discovery of Piper's carcass off Percé, a North Atlantic right…
A 12th Beluga Carcass Found in 2015
12th Beluga Carcass Discovered On August 18, observers stationed on the rocks of the Marine Environment Discovery Centre (MEDC) in…
Cap sur les baleines, Episode 1: Hugues Durocher
Hugues Durocher was literally born on the river. The son of a lighthouse keeper, his life has evolved with the…
What Conclusions Can be Drawn from the North Atlantic Right Whale Observations and Mortalities during the 2015 season?
A response from Véronique Lesage, Fisheries and Oceans Canada First, a little bit of background... North Atlantic right whales were…
Increasingly Tuned to Whales, Whales Online Presents its New Colours in French and English
For its 15th anniversary, the reference site on whales of the St. Lawrence has been completely revamped. With a broader network…
Sailing expedition in Search of Right Whales in the Gaspé
A number of observations of right whales have been reported throughout the summer at various locations in the Gulf of…
A Disturbing Beluga Carcass
Residents of the town of Chandler promptly called 1-877-7baleine on the afternoon of August 13 when a beluga carcass was…
Two North Atlantic Right Whale carcasses in the Gulf of St. Lawrence; One Washes Ashore
After the right whale found dead off the coast of Percé this past June 24, two more carcasses of the…
Sperm Whale on Display at Musée de la Mer, Magdalen Islands
Its 15 m long skeleton is the star of an exhibit entitled "Souffleur à grosse tête, qui es-tu?" (loosely translated, "Big-headed…
The F.G. Creed Crew is Back in the Estuary in Search of Whales’ Prey
Fisheries and Oceans Canada's ship F.G. Creed is in the Estuary this week for its eighth annual acoustic survey aimed…
Three Beluga Carcasses Added to Year’s Tally
Prior to the two incidents reported last July 25, six belugas had been found dead since the beginning of the…
What do Belugas Teach Us about the St. Lawrence and about Ourselves? (2/8)
Beluga stories: this is the second episode of the transcript of the training lecture given by Robert Michaud at the…
Getting to Know the Herring of the St. Lawrence Upper Estuary, a Beluga Prey
This project, which began last year, focuses in particular on the spawning grounds of this small silver fish. Herring migrate…
New Cacouna Port Project in the Beluga Nursery: Concerns and Astonishment
While the oil port project was abandoned six months ago due to the fact that the beluga population was assessed…
On the Lookout for a Beluga
Early this morning, at 8:30, a collaborator from the Canadian Coast Guard reports a beluga carcass that a friend spotted…
What do Belugas Teach Us about the St. Lawrence and about Ourselves? (1/8)
Beluga Stories: a presentation by Robert Michaud at the CIMM on June 22, 2015, presented here in eight episodes to…
Large Rorquals Adrift…
In the Gaspé "It was so big...even from miles away, I thought it was an island!" These are the words…
Calculations that Could Help Save Whales Entangled in Fishing Gear
According to a recent study, researchers examined whale skeletons and carcasses of all sizes to obtain measurements of their body…
First Beluga Carcass for 2015
It's the low season for the call centre of the Quebec Marine Mammal Emergency Response Network; a single case has…
“The Most Solitary of Whales”: Mysterious No. 52 Raises Questions, Inspires, Sparks New Scientific Commentary
This whale frequents the North Pacific and emits a range of unusual frequencies which are believed to isolate it from…
From the St. Lawrence Estuary to the north Atlantic: the odyssey of the blue whale Symphony
For more than five months, researchers have been tracking the migration of this female thanks to a signal emitted by…
Dead or Struggling Marine Mammals: 1-877-7baleine
With the arrival of spring, the once frozen shores of the St. Lawrence begin to open up, exposing carcasses of…
Collision between Inflatable Boat and Whale in Mexico: One Canadian Tourist Dead and Two Persons Injured
The accident, which occurred in an area known to be frequented by a large number of tourist boats and by…
On the Calendar: MICS Organizes Blue Whale Fundraiser Event
The Mingan Island Cetacean Study (MICS) will organize the first edition of the Grand Blue fundraiser on March 16, 2015…