Focus: Harbor Seals of the Saguenay Fjord

In the past few days, spotting and locating minke whales and fin whales off the coast of Tadoussac has proven difficult. Perhaps on account of the large tides? That said, I’ll take advantage of this temporary lull in “great” whale sightings to write about harbour seals, which are being observed almost daily!

Indeed, ever since whale-watching cruises resumed in late April, between 4 and 10 harbour seals have been regularly spotted at the entrance to the Saguenay Fjord.

These seals laze about on the rocks between one quest for food and the next. With their variable pelage patterns and sizes, they are striking…

Besides the beluga, the harbour seal is the only marine mammal to inhabit the Gulf of St. Lawrence and its Estuary year round. Indeed, even in the middle of winter, I regularly have the chance to observe a few individuals from the docks in Tadoussac or Les Bergeronnes.

With regard to the individuals observed over the past few days, according to Sépaq, the Saguenay Fjord is a prime location for harbour seals. The rocky sectors along the shores of the Fjord serve as haulout sites and are used for reproduction, moulting and resting.

Here is a gallery of photos taken during the second week of May.