Magazine
Chance Encounters in the Estuary
The undisputed stars this past week were white-beaked dolphins, which reminds us of the importance of being in the right place at the right time. Whale watching is often a matter of chance... and patience! Measuring between two and three metres long, these small dolphins left many observers gawking in and around the estuary. Beyond the acrobatics of these small cetaceans, sightings of several other marine species were reported, from belugas to humpbacks and harbour porpoises.
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
Protecting Whales, One Conversation at a Time
As the beluga calving season in the St. Lawrence enters into full swing, so too do public awareness efforts. For…
Listening to Belugas by Hydrophone in Baie-Sainte-Marguerite
After several months of preparations, the Window on Belugas project has just reached a new milestone in Baie-Sainte-Marguerite thanks to…
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…
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
Amidst the Hum of the Engines
Around the clock, aquatic environments are naturally filled with a slew of different sounds: rain, waves, wind, swimming fish, stones…
Coexistence in Troubled Waters: A Participatory, Multi-Criteria Approach to Beluga Protection
By Maud Thermes, Irène Abi-Zeid, Nathalie Niquil, Franck Taillandier and Arnaud Sentis A majestic emblem of the Saguenay–St. Lawrence region,…
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…
Observations of the Week
Chance Encounters in the Estuary
The undisputed stars this past week were white-beaked dolphins, which reminds us of the importance of being in the right…
Feeding Scenes, Chevrons and Pigmentation Patterns
As new arrivals continue to show up across the St. Lawrence, visitors flock to admire the landscapes and wildlife, while…
Large Spouts as Far as the Eye Can See
In the vastness of the St. Lawrence, it’s easy to lose sight of a back, a fin, or a blow.…
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…