Côte-Nord: Prime Location for Autumn Whale Watching

“On my way back from fishing this morning, a lot of gulls were circling and feeding on the water surface when suddenly, a dorsal fin measuring a good 5 feet tall emerged,” exclaims a fisherman from near La Tabatière. “Then, another group of about four or five individuals approached the large male that was now close to me.” The cetaceans described here were none other than killer whales! While sightings of this species occur in the Gulf almost every year, each one remains truly special. Did you know that the dorsal fin of a male orca can reach up to 1.8 metres high?

“I saw a nice pod of white-beaked dolphins as well as harp seals,” notes a resident of Franquelin. A fin whale and at least three humpbacks were also in the area, not to mention a few grey seals.

Dolphins are most frequently spotted in the St. Lawrence in spring and fall. Were these some of the same individuals that had brought a sparkle to the eyes of so many folks between Tadoussac and Les Bergeronnes just a few days earlier? As for harp seals, they generally begin their winter migration toward northern Newfoundland, southern Labrador, and the Gulf of St. Lawrence in September. Leaving behind the coastal waters of Greenland and the Canadian Arctic, they seek areas of pack ice for calving and breeding. In a way, their presence is a sign of cooler days around the corner!

In the Gaspésie region, things remain quiet, notwithstanding a few harbour seals, two fin whales, and two humpbacks reported near the town of Gaspé.

The Mingan Island Cetacean Study (MICS) reports what was “probably the best day of the season so far” in Sept-Îles: three North Atlantic right whales, five fin whales, four blue whales (including B466, B470 and B397) engaged in a “rumba”—a behaviour believed to be a prelude to mating that involves multiple males pursuing a single female—as well as the humpback whale H379 (“Leprechaun”) emitting trumpeting-type vocalizations. A MICS biologist points out that this vocal behaviour by the humpback occurred immediately after a satellite tag was attached to one of the fin whales. He added with a chuckle that the humpback seemed to be acting as the “sea police”!

Mériscope wrapped up its field season on September 22. Among other sightings between Les Bergeronnes and Les Escoumins, the research team observed 23 minke whales—including individuals that “often stayed in small groups”—seven fin whales, 46 belugas, 20 harbour porpoises, and over fifty grey seals. What a way to cap off the season!

After being spotted farther downriver, three well-known humpbacks—in the words of one local observer—”came for a dip” in the Saguenay–St. Lawrence Marine Park. H944 (Katana) is still in the area, while the females H626 (Gaspar) and H531 (Le Souffleur) appear to have already moved on. The movements of this species within the St. Lawrence are often dictated by food masses, which also vary from year to year and shift with the currents.

“Harbour seals have been very abundant around Les Escoumins, and well-known minke whales like Fidèle and Jaseur are bringing smiles to many people’s faces,” adds one enthusiast, in reference to these two species that—despite their diminutive size—the public finds every bit as exciting.

Small white whales have also been spotted in good numbers over the past few days, from Saint-Irénée to Les Escoumins: “While we were enjoying a few drinks, we witnessed a ‘parade’ of adult belugas alongside their greyish-brown calves. It was absolutely stunning!” comments a local resident. “Delightful… pure joy,” adds another. A few grey seals and “two harbour seals—one of which was tiny and splashing around near the rocks by the condos”—were swimming close to the North Shore village. One keen observer notes having seen fin whales in the vicinity as well; indeed, a dozen or so of these creatures have recently been reported in the Marine Park sector!

Where are the whales this week? Sightings map

Thanks to all our collaborators!

• Croisières Baie de Gaspé
• Marie-Andrée Charlebois
• Nathalie Cliche
• Thalia Cohen Bacry
• Yves Letellier
• Diane Ostiguy
• Stéphane Pagès
• Renaud Pintiaux
• Pascal Pitre
• Aline Préfontaine
• René Roy
• Guillaume Savard
• Andréanne Sylvain
• Marielle Vanasse

And to all the others!

Additionally, we would like to acknowledge the following teams that also share their sightings:

Sept-Îles Research and Education Centre (CERSI)
Group for Research and Education on Marine Mammals (GREMM)
Marine Mammal Observation Network (MMON)
Quebec Marine Mammal Emergency Response Network (QMMERN)
Mingan Island Cetacean Study (MICS)
Mériscope