“Blue Whale Ballet”

A resident of Gallix was amazed to finally see a large spout offshore after hearing about it from her neighbours: “As it turns out, I too saw something today at the end of the day in Gallix. I spotted the first blow at 5:04 in the evening and the other at 5:11, but very far offshore, on the horizon! Definitely a blue given the high spout visible so far away! It was moving east to west.” About four of these giants were feeding near Franquelin over the past week.

Whitecoats in the Magdalens

The term “whitecoat” refers to a harp seal pup during the first few weeks of its life. The name comes from its thick white fur, which provides essential thermal insulation in its frigid environment. This species gives birth on the ice of Newfoundland, Labrador, and the Gulf of St. Lawrence. Over the past week, the presence of seal pups on the beaches of the Magdalen Islands has been all over social media in the region. Upon seeing these cuddly little critters, some people have approached them, even petting or physically moving them. Let’s take a look at why this is not such a good idea.

During the first few days after birth, the baby seal feeds on its mother’s milk, which is rich in fat. It gains two kilos a day. The mother must sometimes leave it to feed, so it’s normal to see them alone. Approaching them can have a number of negative consequences for the pup. In addition to causing stress, human presence prevents the mother from nursing. The cumulative effect of these disturbances can compromise the animal’s survival.

After this nursing phase, which lasts about twelve days, the pup must survive alone on the ice using its reserves. A moult will gradually occur until a short, silvery coat replaces its white fur. It will then be ready to swim and feed on its own.

Sea ice plays a crucial role in the harp seal’s life cycle, providing a safe platform for pupping, nursing, and moulting. However, climate change and diminishing ice cover threaten this essential habitat, posing challenges for reproduction and occasionally forcing the species to seek refuge on beaches, leading to increased interactions with humans.

Best practices to adopt when observing seals

Want to help seals? Here are a few rules to follow:

• Maintain a distance of at least 50 metres from the seal to avoid causing it stress. When in doubt, there’s always the old trick of covering your eye with one hand and hiding the animal with the thumb of your other hand, your arm extended. If the animal is completely hidden, you’re far enough away, but if you can still see it behind your thumb, step back, as you are too close.
• Do not touch, pet, move, or sit on seals.
• Keep your pets on a leash, both for their own safety and that of the seal(s).
• If the seal has visible injuries, if it is in an awkward place for human activities or if you see other people disturbing or handling it, contact the Quebec Marine Mammal Emergency Response Network at 1-877-722-5346. The best course of action will be determined by experts.

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.