Magazine
Whales Return to the Estuary
Two fin whales, good numbers of belugas, several minke whales, a humpback… The tally of cetaceans observed in the waters between Tadoussac and Les Escoumins continues to grow. These giants have not abandoned Franquelin, however, where observers were able to admire the large blasts of a blue whale, one fin and four humpbacks, or even Gaspé Bay, where one resident was able to spot her first whales of the year. Spring is off to a strong start!
Field Notes
Container Ship in Distress in the Estuary: QMMERN on Alert
7 Short Blasts and 1 Long Blast “I was woken up by seven short blasts followed by one long one.…
Whales in the Flesh!
Friday morning, September 22, 2023. Warning: Not for the faint of heart! I wake up shortly after dawn. The golden…
In Search of Large Rorquals
It's 5:45 a.m., and I'm already awake and excitedly waiting for news from the research team of the Group for…
Hot Topics
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…
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…
Marine Mammal Emergencies
Satellite Teams: Strengthening QMMERN’s Response Capacity across Quebec’s Vast Territory
With fewer phone calls coming into Marine Mammal Emergencies (UMM) in winter than during the high season, it’s the perfect…
Humpback Observed Earlier This Summer Washes Up in the Gaspé
On Wednesday, October 25, a humpback whale carcass washed up in Saint-Maxime-du-Mont-Louis in the Gaspé Peninsula. It was a male…
Stranded Sperm Whale on the North Shore
On November 6, flying above the gulf fifteen kilometres from the village of Baie-Johan-Beetz, a helicopter pilot notices a greyish…
News
Cetacean Sex Lives: Beyond Reproduction
An article published a few weeks ago relates an unexpected interaction between two male humpback whales. Indeed, the two bulls…
Unravelling the Mysteries of Hybridization in Blue Whales
Hunted, threatened, decimated. The largest of giants suffered greatly at the hands of humans throughout the 20th century and is…
Meredith Sherrill: An Example of Tenacity for Working with Whales!
To work with whales, Meredith’s journey took her to California, Michigan, Scotland, and ultimately to Quebec! Meredith Sherrill is a…
Observation of the Week
Whales Return to the Estuary
Two fin whales, good numbers of belugas, several minke whales, a humpback… The tally of cetaceans observed in the waters…
Marine Mammals and the Eclipse
On April 8, the banks of the St. Lawrence were basked in sunset-like lighting during the solar eclipse. For those…
April Whales
“Fin whales in Les Escoumins,” remarks one avid yet impressed observer: “Their powerful breaths really hit you in the gut!” “A…
Whale Q&A
Interpreting the Extraordinary Surface Behaviour of Humpback Whales
Humpback whales are also particularly entertaining, lifting their tails when diving, performing successive breaches, striking their pectorals or tail on…
Why do humpback whales sometimes interact with algae?
In an immense expanse of blue, a long and slender silhouette gently rises above the water surface. A string of…
Why do humpback whales get in the way of hungry killer whales?
A rare behaviour that remains unexplained Bertie Gregory, explorer for National Geographic, recently witnessed an extremely rare episode of intimidation.…