Magazine
A Week of Unique Sightings
As I write these lines, my hands are still trembling with excitement. Along with several other lucky individuals, we just witnessed a truly extraordinary sighting while standing on the rocks near the Marine Mammal Interpretation Centre in Tadoussac: a North Atlantic right whale! And that wasn’t the only unusual sighting this week: There were reports of a humpback whale exhibiting an unusual feeding behaviour, a group of about fifteen minke whales, and even the presence of killer whales in the…
Field Notes
25 Years of Evolution and Passion in the Field
It was 1999, and my life was about to change. I had just completed my studies in biology and was…
On board the Bella Desgagnés, sighting of a North Atlantic right whale
By: Valérie Filion head of the interpreting department aboard the Bella Desgagnés for the Marine Mammal Observation Network (MMON) My…
Japan’s Ogasawara Islands: Expedition to Collect Cetacean Sounds and Images
There are many places around the world that lend themselves to watching whales, but some of them are unique. Last…
Field Report
A Rigorous Protocol for Studying Large Rorquals
Aboard the BpJAM (one of GREMM’s research vessels) with the Large Rorqual Project team, I scan the horizon in the…
Over the years…
July 7, 2025: It’s early in the morning, and I'm waiting for news from the research team. Will weather conditions…
BpJAM in Action: A Preparation as Massive as the Animals Being Studied!
Several weeks ago, when I was asked to author a report about an outing on the BpJAM, one of GREMM’s…
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: 19 Carcasses Discovered in 2025
Between the start of 2026 and the release of this 2025 beluga mortality report, three carcasses have already been reported…
First Beluga Carcass of the Year Recovered in the Magdalen Islands
Sunday, January 18: The Marine Mammal Emergencies (UMM) telephone rings. Cédric Gascon, a technician and UMM responder for the past…
Beached Fin Whale: QMMERN Takes to the Field After Bp919 Found Stranded
On October 24, 2025, Marine Mammal Emergencies (UMM) received a call concerning a large dead whale stranded on the shores…
News
Peering into the Hidden World of Whales through Biopsies and Tagging!
Marine mammal research is fraught with challenges. Scientists must study massive animals that inhabit vast environments and spend most of…
How’s the St. Lawrence doing?
Rising water temperatures, acidification, dwindling ice cover, plastic and chemical contaminants… The changes currently taking place in the St. Lawrence…
The Hidden Superpowers of Whales
Whale excrement, in addition to being a sort of fertilizer for the oceans, is useful to scientists, providing insight into…
Observations of the Week
A Week of Unique Sightings
As I write these lines, my hands are still trembling with excitement. Along with several other lucky individuals, we just…
Gaspar’s Journey
Gaspar’s name was on the tip of everyone’s tongue last Monday when this female humpback appeared near the shores of…
Humpbacks in the Estuary and Gulf
Without a doubt, the main focus of attention these past few days has been humpbacks, primarily in Gaspé Bay, but…
Whale Q&A
Your questions about beluga reproduction!
The Whale Watch team and the team of naturalists at the Marine Mammal Interpretation Centre (CIMM) regularly receive questions about…
Why did so many large rorquals visit the St. Lawrence this spring?
Early 2025 was a particularly intense period for observing large rorquals in the Saguenay–St. Lawrence Marine Park. Whether it be…
A Smirk with a Purpose!
Belugas are known for their expressive faces, but what’s behind their endearing smirk? From an “O”-shaped mouth to water spitting…