Magazine
A Mother-Calf Duo and Sperm Whales in the Estuary
On July 15, not one, not two, but no fewer than three sperm whales were swimming in the Saguenay–St. Lawrence Marine Park area! Not far from there, a mother blue whale and her calf were observed a few days earlier. In the Gaspé Peninsula, a few cetaceans and pinnipeds were spotted, though observations were generally hampered by fog and smoke. In the Mingan Archipelago sector, a hundred or so minke whales and just as many (if not more) 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
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
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…
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…
Observations of the Week
A Mother-Calf Duo and Sperm Whales in the Estuary
On July 15, not one, not two, but no fewer than three sperm whales were swimming in the Saguenay–St. Lawrence…
Spouts and Fins Here and There
In these early days of July, several species of both baleen and toothed whales have been seen from one end…
Cetaceans of All Sizes
Large rorquals remain plentiful in the St. Lawrence River, and the list of identified individuals is growing by the day.…
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…