Magazine
Fin Whales Back in the Estuary
The month of May is synonymous with new greenery, soothing sunshine, and the majestic blows of fin whales! At least two different individuals were spotted from the north shore of the estuary, while minke whales and belugas have been reported from several locations in the St. Lawrence. A grey seal surfing the waves caught people’s attention near the south shore, whereas other observers were delighted by the presence of seabirds.
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
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…
Beluga Monitoring Aboard Antarès
At the Tadoussac marina, the Group for Research and Education on Marine Mammals (GREMM) research team boards the boat at…
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
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…
Low Numbers of Large Rorquals in the Saguenay–St. Lawrence Marine Park in 2025: Exception, or the New Norm? – Part Two
Between mid-June and mid-September, as part of its annual large rorqual census in the Saguenay–St. Lawrence Marine Park, GREMM’s Large…
Observations of the Week
Fin Whales Back in the Estuary
The month of May is synonymous with new greenery, soothing sunshine, and the majestic blows of fin whales! At least…
Magical First Sightings
Many enthusiasts have had the chance to see their first whales of the season in recent days. For some folks,…
Tentative Return of the Great Whales
High spouts in the Gaspé, a fin whale in the estuary, vertical plumes of condensation near Franquelin... Could these observations…
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…