Magazine

Round-up of 2025 North Atlantic Right Whale News
After being hunted for hundreds of years, the North Atlantic right whale currently faces a number of threats, including entanglements in fishing gear, ship strikes, and the adverse effects of climate change. These largely anthropogenic pressures are dangerously undermining the survival of this endangered species, whose population has fallen below 370 individuals. With their stocky build, lethargic surface movements and slow swimming, right whales were particularly vulnerable to hunting, which led to their decline over the centuries. Also known as…
Field Notes

California: Marine Life with Flair!
Last March, I had the opportunity to travel to Morro Bay, a small seaside village in central California. The sea…

Coastal Bird Monitoring in the Saguenay–St. Lawrence Marine Park
By : Pierre-Alexandre Dumas, coécrit avec Eliza-Jane Morin It’s 8 a.m. and I'm joining my team at the Parks Canada office…

Field Notes: Whale Bone Hodgepodge!
This day off promises to be a special one. Together with Yael, another one of GREMM’s seasonal workers this year,…
Hot Topics

Round-up of 2025 North Atlantic Right Whale News
After being hunted for hundreds of years, the North Atlantic right whale currently faces a number of threats, including entanglements…

ROUND-UP OF 2024 NORTH ATLANTIC RIGHT WHALE NEWS
After being hunted for centuries, today’s North Atlantic right whales face many challenges, including entanglements with fishing gear, ship strikes…

Round-up of 2023 North Atlantic Right Whale News
After being hunted for centuries, today’s North Atlantic right whales face many challenges, including entanglements with fishing gear, ship strikes…
Marine Mammal Emergencies

Beluga Mortality Report : Few Carcasses Found in 2024
Only six beluga carcasses were found in 2024, the lowest figure in several years. By comparison, there were 17 carcasses…

What can we learn from research on St. Lawrence seals?
On a beach along the St. Lawrence lies the carcass of a harbour seal. Standing out against the brownish seaweed…

Five Good Reasons to Leave Young Seals Alone
Over the past week, the presence of harp seal pups on the beaches of the Magdalen Islands and the Gaspé…
News

First Hybrid Rorqual in the St. Lawrence
After arousing curiosity last summer in the estuary, a deceptively similar fin whale has once again been turning heads. By…

Blue Whales, Their Calves, and the Timing Hypothesis
Have you ever seen a blue whale? Although this giant of the oceans is found mostly in the high seas,…

After Centuries of Decline, Good News at Last for Monk Seals
Named for their vague resemblance to black-robed monks, these animals have always been unique. Indeed, the three similar-looking species that…
Observation of the Week

After a week of strong winds, we’re eagerly waiting for fairer weather!
Marine mammals were quiet this past week. Did the stiff winds drive them away, or were they simply less visible?…

A Breath of Spring: Humpbacks are Back
Humpback whales are making their return to the estuary this week, much to the delight of the locals. Additionally, the…

Marine wildlife bounty for may
Our beloved river has recently been oscillating between mirror-calm waters and those stirred up by bone-chilling gusts. Pouring rain gives…
Whale Q&A

Killer Whales in the St. Lawrence
The last time killer whales were seen in Tadoussac was in 2003, though other sightings (article in French) are occasionally…

Cabinet of Curiosities: Unusual Whales!
The reason marine mammals fascinate us so much is that we are far from having unravelled all of their mysteries!…

Ambergris: The Secret Treasure of Sperm Whales
Ambergris, a mysterious treasure of the deep seas, has captivated the human imagination for centuries. This rare substance has crossed…