Cold, Quiet Days Setting In
Whale-watching and research boats are being pulled out of the water for the winter, the days are growing shorter, and the whales seem to be heading back to their wintering grounds: Calmer days are definitely right around the corner! Nevertheless, there have been a handful of belugas in the Saguenay Fjord, spouts here and there across the estuary and the gulf, and plump seals basking on the rocks.
Spouts up and down the St. Lawrence
“Sunday morning, while hiking the “Sentier des Graves” [Translator’s note: a trail in Forillon National Park] toward the tip of the peninsula, there were at least 10 whales in Anse aux Amérindiens,” reports an avid whale watcher based in the Gaspé. “I saw them from shore both Saturday and Sunday,” she adds. The same day, another enthusiast spotted four humpbacks blowing in Gaspé Bay. Were they the same individuals? While the gulf has been harbouring a number of giants, a mere two fin whales were reported from the estuary. “I’m with the two inseparable fin whales Ti-Croche and… Zipper,” exclaimed one naturalist and wildlife photographer on November 5. These two animals have been observed a few times since the start of the summer and are surely getting ready to resume their seasonal migration.
On October 10, 2023, the Ti-Croche was tagged by a Fisheries and Oceans Canada team as part of a project launched in 2014 with the goal of deepening our understanding about fin whale migration patterns. This transmitter revealed that this individual left the estuary on December 26, 2023, embarking on a long journey to the US state of Delaware. The tag stopped transmitting a signal on January 25, 2024. When will Ti-Croche leave the estuary this year? Since the fin whale wasn’t tagged this summer, we’ll have to keep a close eye on it!
Little black and white giants
While waiting for his ferry at the terminal in Baie-Sainte-Catherine, a resident of Baie-Comeau spotted two belugas breathing at the surface. From the other side of the Saguenay Fjord, GREMM’s team reported a minke whale in the choppy waters. Between sightings, the naturalists and gift shop staff at the Marine Mammal Interpretation Centre were busy wrapping up another season at the museum. Everyone is already looking forward to next year! Small, elusive marine mammals were also spotted farther east in the gulf. Leaving Blanc-Sablon, one observer had the privilege of seeing about a hundred Atlantic white-sided and white-beaked dolphins! “What a sight! It was a real circus!” she exclaimed. A humpback has also been roaming the region.
Portly seals… ready for winter?
In Port-Cartier, harbour seals have been basking on the rocks. “Those seals hefty fellows!” chuckles one passionate observer. Pinnipeds have a thick layer of blubber that not only protects them from the icy waters of the St. Lawrence, but also serves as an energy reserve during adverse weather conditions. Their fur coat also provides protection against the blustery winds and frigid water. Judging by their body condition, these individuals seem to be perfectly prepared for the cold winter knocking at our door!
Thanks to all our collaborators!
Special thanks go out to all our observers who share their love for marine mammals with us. Your encounters with cetaceans and pinnipeds are always a pleasure to read and discover.
On the water or from shore, it is your eyes that give life to this column.
- Patrice Corbeil
- Laeticia Desbordes
- Pascal Pitre
- Renaud Pintiaux
- Diane Ostiguy
- Guy Synnott
- Marielle Vanasse
And all the others!
Additionally, we would like to acknowledge the following teams that also share their sightings:
Centre d’éducation et de recherche de Sept-Îles (CERSI)
Station de recherche des Îles Mingan (MICS)
Réseau d’observation des mammifères marins (ROMM)
Réseau québécois d’urgence pour les mammifères marins (RQUMM)
Groupe de recherche et d’éducation sur les mammifères marins (GREMM)
Mériscope
Would you also like to share your observations?
Have you seen any marine mammals in the St. Lawrence? Whether it’s a spout offshore or just a couple of seals, drop us a line and send your photos to [email protected]!
Odélie Brouillette
Odélie Brouillette joined the GREMM team as a writer and naturalist in 2022, and has been back since winter 2023 as a project manager in science popularization. With a background in biology, she loves learning and sharing with others what's most important to her. She has always been fascinated by marine environments and whales, and hopes to contribute to their protection through awareness-raising and popularization.
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