Fin Whales in Sight

One might think that at the end of October, the St. Lawrence Estuary is deserted… well think again! Autumn sea conditions are challenging for excursions out to sea, which are winding down for the season, but observers are rewarded: hundreds of gray seals gathered in the tide rips, active minke whales and several large fin whales are present. Nine fin whales were seen on October 27 off of Cap de Bon-Désir. Two days later, the captain of a whale-watching trip even reported the presence of 11 fin whales and a humpback.

Just as many fin whales were observed this week in the Anse-aux-Amérindiens sector of Gaspé Bay. Our on-site collaborator saw them pass by from the window of his office.

Additionally, a Fisheries and Oceans Canada team has also been continuing weekly surveys in the Estuary in recent weeks. The team took advantage of the mild conditions on October 28 to go out to sea and encountered groups of belugas and porpoises.