On board the Bella Desgagnés, sighting of a North Atlantic right whale

I was talking about work with one of my colleagues. We had just left the wharf at Port-Menier on Anticosti Island. Out of the corner of my eye, we spot a black back through the starboard window. My colleague notifies the passengers before heading outside to comment on the observation. I continue working while peering out the window with one eye. Then I see a large V-shaped spout. The whale was close enough to see it clearly. I think I nearly jumped out of my seat, shouting, “Right whale!!!”

I drop everything and bolt outside to notify my colleague, who had also identified the whale. “Call the pilothouse!” she yells. I run inside to get the phone. They confirm they also saw the whale. I write to my team on Messenger so they could experience the right whale with me in real time. Their first instinct was, “Have you reported it?” I was going to, but I was too excited by the sighting. Never before had I seen a right whale so clearly in my life!

I go back outside to observe the animal. It remains on the surface and slaps its pectoral fin, a distinctive behaviour that is typical of right whales. Then we see her tail. I feel privileged, as the whole thing seems to transpire in slow motion. Even though the ship maintained its course, we were able to observe the right whale for at least ten minutes. Unable to locate the number to reach the ministry, I decide instead to call Marine Mammal (UMM), whose number was posted right in front of me. But I have no signal on my cell phone. I go to look for another phone before we lost service offshore altogether. Running with three cell phones in my hands, I manage to contact UMM, and they take care of getting the word out on the right whale. Then I enter the data into Vigie Marine to make sure everyone has access to it. After this I go to look for a passenger I saw earlier with a good camera. She confirms that she has photos and would send them to me later. I immediately email the DFO with my poor-quality video, explaining in detail the behaviours I observed, and let them know that I would soon have better photos to share.

Seeing me run to and fro with a big smile on my face, one passenger says to me, “I’ve never seen a guide get more excited than the members of their group.” I feel like replying to him that he had never met the passionate guides that I know. I feel that when you understand what you’re observing, the thrill of seeing unusual species, individuals, or behaviours is as great, if not greater, than that of more ordinary observations enjoyed by beginners.