Magazine
White as Snow… Or a Beluga!
As fluffy snowflakes invaded eastern Quebec and a white blanket quietly covered the ground, marine mammals continued on with their activities. With temperatures heralding a fast approaching winter (much to the delight of cold weather lovers), some enthusiasts put on their boots, parkas and knit hats to brave the elements, head toward the river and scan the endless horizon. As for sightings, a few white backs are still hanging around near the mouth of the Saguenay Fjord, blending in with…
Field Notes
Teamwork for Whale Protection
Protecting the Saguenay-St. Lawrence Marine Park requires teamwork. Research makes it possible to better understand various issues related to the…
Recovery of a white-sided dolphin carcass in Rimouski
In the early afternoon of Monday, September 5, the Quebec Marine Mammal Emergency Response Network call centre receives a report…
Eyes on the water
Every summer since 2003, the Parks Canada team has been scrutinizing the waters in and around Baie Sainte-Marguerite to tally…
Hot Topics
All the news on North Atlantic right whales in 2022
The North Atlantic right whale is a particularly vulnerable cetacean species, currently numbering fewer than 350 individuals. The survival of…
GNL Québec’s Énergie Saguenay Project Rejected on Climate Grounds
On July 21, Environment Minister Benoit Charette announced that his government was rejecting GNL Québec's Énergie Saguenay project, a highly…
GNL Québec: BAPE Commissioners Concerned for Beluga
Quebec's environmental assessment agency, the Bureau d’audiences publiques sur l’environnement (BAPE), which has been tasked with evaluating the Énergie Saguenay…
Marine Mammal Emergencies
Harbour Seals in St. Lawrence Affected by Avian Flu
Last June, the Quebec Marine Mammal Emergency Response Network (QMMERN) received an abnormally high number of reports of dead or…
Entangled Humpback – A Chronicle
On Wednesday, July 13, a humpback whale was spotted off the coast of Les Escoumins accompanied by a calf that…
A Day in Good Company
On Sunday, July 3, a minke whale carcass was found on Île Vertein Quebec’s Bas-Saint-Laurent region. This is practically the…
News
A Fossil Under the Magnifying Glass
Thirty years ago, the fossil of an Atlantic grey whale (Eschrichtius robustus) was misidentified as a humpback whale. The latter…
Snow Cone: Emblem of its Species’ Desperate Struggle
In December 2021, scientists felt a glimmer of hope when Snow Cone was spotted with a newborn, despite the fact…
Is approaching marine mammals with a drone legal?
With the growing popularity of drones, it is increasingly common to see spectacular images of cetaceans. From herds of migrating…
Observation of the Week
White as Snow… Or a Beluga!
As fluffy snowflakes invaded eastern Quebec and a white blanket quietly covered the ground, marine mammals continued on with their…
Humpback Whale Season Winding Down
As winter approaches, migratory whale species are slowly beginning to leave. Although humpback whales are becoming more scarce, the waters…
Between Mountains and the Sea: The Sounds of Cetaceans
Whether on a boat, at the docks or on shore, the echos of blowing whales can be heard. From humpback…
Whale Q&A
Do whales exhibit altruism? (Part 3 of 3) The example of cetaceans in the wild
Caring for sick, injured or dead individuals – otherwise known as epimeletic behaviour – is a common form of expression…
What is the status of whaling around the world?
Public opinion seems increasingly concerned about the future of whales, which have become over time a symbol of wildlife conservation.…
Do whales exhibit altruism? (Part 2 of 3) The example of dolphins
Like humpbacks, toothed whales (odontocetes) and dolphins in particular stand out for their altruistic behaviour. However, the nature of this…