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Nostalgia for Whales

Big blasts off the coast of Franquelin, several large rorquals in Gaspésie and gatherings of belugas in the estuary... it…

|Observation of the Week 23/10/2024

The St. Lawrence and the Colours of Fall

In the St. Lawrence, the blazing colours of the coast contrast with the dark backs of humpback whales, the bright…

|Observation of the Week 10/10/2024

Blue Whales, Blue Sky and Blue Waters

With four blue whales spotted in the estuary, two near Franquelin and three in Gaspésie, it’s almost as if fall…

|Observation of the Week 3/10/2024

Destination Belugas with CacounAir

Par Sami Jay Wagner-Beaulieu et Hugo Catineau, techniciens pilote de drone pour la brigade béluga rive sud The arrival of…

|Field Notes 3/10/2024

Blue Whales in the Estuary: Pleiades and Bird of Prey

Without a doubt, the big stars of the estuary this week are blue whales! These giant visitors have been identified:…

|Observation of the Week 5/9/2024

A Second Visit for Phoenix and Éline

The past week was ideal for enjoying the cool weather and those who ventured to the shores of the St.…

|Observation of the Week 21/10/2024

Heading for the Saguenay Fjord with Antarès

Tuesday, August 27, 8:00 a.m.: I’m due to meet the research team of Tadoussac’s Group for Research and Education on Marine…

|Field Notes 17/10/2024

Rice’s Whale: Newly Discovered and Already on the Brink of Extinction

Though only discovered in 2021, the Rice’s whale (Balaenoptera ricei) is one of the most endangered whales in the world.…

|News 10/10/2024

Phantom Whales

The mystical appearance of the St. Lawrence was certainly a plus during the week leading up to Halloween! And the…

|Observation of the Week 31/10/2024

Out-of-Habitat Cetaceans

What a surprise it was for Montréal’s urbanites when a humpback whale visited the city’s port in 2020! This event…

|Marine Mammal Emergencies 31/10/2024

Once upon a time, there was the St. Lawrence beluga…

A year-round resident of the St. Lawrence, the beluga inspires admiration. With their ever-smirky facial expressions, belugas have become one…

|News 23/10/2024

A seaside reverie

What a joy to see whales and seals slip out of the water for a few seconds before completely vanishing,…

|Observation of the Week 26/9/2024

Right Whale Hunting: A Historical Review

Are we witnessing the return of the right whale to its ancestral territory? For the past ten years plus, North…

|News 27/9/2024

The Thousand and One Wonders of the St. Lawrence

This week was marked by blue whales in the estuary, belugas in Cap-aux-Oies, right whales in the Mingan sector, harbour…

|Observation of the Week 19/9/2024

Return of the Bhulan

Since time immemorial, a mysterious creature has been said to reside in the waters of one of the largest of…

|News 3/9/2024

Maelstrom of Marine Mammals

Fair weather, cool autumn breezes... What more could you ask for this September? How about lingering blue whales, a host…

|Observation of the Week 13/9/2024

Sharks of the St. Lawrence: Dispelling Myths and Preserving the Ecological Balance

Sharks are often imagined as ruthless predators. This extreme representation obscures the complex truth of these marine animals, which are…

|News 13/9/2024

Understanding the Effects of Physical and Chemical Water Conditions on Underwater Noise

By : Sarah Duquette, resource management technician for Parks Canada This morning, my alarm went off at 5:30 and, believe me,…

|Field Notes 3/9/2024

Marine Life in Full Swing

A small adventurous rorqual, identified belugas, the arrival of several large rorquals... What more could you ask for in late…

|Observation of the Week 30/8/2024

Setting Sail with White-sided Dolphins

By Estelle Pagé It’s 6 in the morning, and my sailing shift has just begun. After six days in the…

|Field Notes 28/8/2024

Whales, Glitter and Local Fare

A bioluminescent night with belugas in Tadoussac, a humpback whale breaching during a meal in Les Escoumins, dozens of right…

|Observation of the Week 22/8/2024

Cabinet of Curiosities: Unusual Whales!

The reason marine mammals fascinate us so much is that we are far from having unravelled all of their mysteries!…

|Whale Q&A 19/8/2024

White-sided Dolphin and Fin Whale Acrobatics

Whether it’s groups of white-sided dolphins breaking the surface in successive bursts, minke whales showing their bellies, or the humpback…

|Observation of the Week 15/8/2024

AI to the Rescue of Whales

What if the future of cetacean protection no longer relied solely on humans, but also on artificial intelligence? In the…

|News 12/8/2024

Cetacean Olympics

Just like the top athletes at the Olympic Games in Paris, cetaceans also hold a number of records! From blue…

|Observation of the Week 8/8/2024

Ambergris: The Secret Treasure of Sperm Whales

Ambergris, a mysterious treasure of the deep seas, has captivated the human imagination for centuries. This rare substance has crossed…

|Whale Q&A 8/8/2024

Whales in All Their Splendour

Whether it’s a blue whale swimming off the coast of Matane, fin whales in Gaspé Bay, North Atlantic right whales…

|Observation of the Week 1/8/2024

Orcas and their ecotypes

Not all orcas (Orcanus orca) are the same! Did you know that there are currently a dozen different subspecies? Orcas…

|News 31/7/2024

Vacations in Whale Country

There is something romantic and relaxing about the seaside, which is perhaps why vacationers make a mad dash to the…

|Observation of the Week 25/7/2024

Fin Whales’ Winter Journey

Every summer, fin whales come to the nutrient-rich waters of the St. Lawrence to feed, only to leave at the…

|News 22/7/2024

St. Lawrence Rorqual Grand Slam

Imagine having the chance to see all four species of rorquals that frequent the St. Lawrence in the same day!…

|Observation of the Week 18/7/2024

Five Actions to Help St. Lawrence Belugas

The endangered St. Lawrence beluga needs your help to recover. For several years, the Group for Research and Education on…

|News 18/7/2024

Encounter with a Beached Minke Whale

I’m riding the ferry between Trois-Pistoles and Les Escoumins when my phone rings. To be honest, I miss the call…

|Field Notes 18/7/2024

Whale Frenzy

From the smallest to the largest, whales of all sorts are currently gathered in the St. Lawrence! Harbour porpoises are…

|Observation of the Week 11/7/2024

Why are North Atlantic right whales unable to reproduce?

The birth rate of North Atlantic right whales is very close to the species’ mortality rate. Classified as endangered for…

|Whale Q&A 9/7/2024

Return of Siam and a Basking Shark in Gaspésie

Siam, the estuary’s oldest humpback whale, is back! Whales were swimming just about everywhere in the St. Lawrence, including good…

|Observation of the Week 4/7/2024

Cetaceans: the new stars of vocal rhythm research

Cetaceans could be the new stars of vocal rhythm research. A recent study provides the reasons behind why these species…

|News 3/7/2024

Gaspar, Piton and Blue Whales in the Gulf

It appears that whales have finally made a big return to the estuary and gulf! From one end of the…

|Observation of the Week 27/6/2024

Gala de la Terre Supports Three Environmental Organizations

The 2024 Gala de la Terre was a huge success! The third edition of this major event took place at…

|News 27/6/2024
Rorqual commun qui saute hors de l'eau.

Physical Indicators: A Different Way to Study Whales

How do we know whether or not the whales of the St. Lawrence are doing well? This is the mission…

|News 27/6/2024

A Hybrid Rorqual in the St. Lawrence?

With the heatwave of the last few days, the cool, refreshing winds blowing over the river were certainly more than…

|Observation of the Week 20/6/2024

Feet on the Ground, Eyes on the Water

Whether it’s the glistening white backs of belugas in the estuary, abundant minke whales, or the humpback whale Irisept eating…

|Observation of the Week 13/6/2024

Tic Tac Toe – Live

The humpback whale Tic Tac Toe has been back in the Marine Park since May 29. Images transmitted to the…

|Marine Mammal Emergencies 11/6/2024

Eating Their Fill

Whether they consume krill, fish or invertebrates, whales come to feed in the St. Lawrence and the immense smörgåsbord it…

|Observation of the Week 7/6/2024

Sei Whale vs. Bowhead Whale: What’s the Difference?

Despite their similar names in French, the sei whale and the bowhead whale are two very distinct species! To eliminate…

|Whale Q&A 6/6/2024

Return of a Legend: Tic Tac Toe is in the Estuary

The humpback whale Tic Tac Toe was observed in the Saguenay-St. Lawrence Marine Park for the first time this year!…

|Observation of the Week 30/5/2024

Gala de la Terre: Belugas Given a Voice at Montréal’s Maison Symphonique

What if, for one evening, belugas were to become choir singers? Thanks to a composition by Claudie Bertounesque, which will…

|News 30/5/2024

Five fin whales in the estuary, including Orion and Bp913!

Fin whales are stealing the show this week, in large numbers. Individuals have even been identified, and some regulars are…

|Observation of the Week 24/5/2024

Belugas in color and minke whales in action!

This week in the St. Lawrence, beluga vocalizations accompany the northern lights, while minke whales attract attention with their spectacular…

|Observation of the Week 16/5/2024

Parasites in Marine mammals: A Toxic Relationship

Parasite. A word that often sends shivers down our spines. However, marine mammals are highly accustomed to them. Cetaceans and…

|News 16/5/2024

Minke Whales Disguised as Orcas

Between the splashing waves, we spot a couple dark fins moving. We can definitely recognize the signs of a large…

|Observation of the Week 10/5/2024
Béluga du Saint-Laurent

The Excitement of White Whales

Increasing numbers of groups of belugas are being spotted in the estuary, swimming amongst the quietly returning minke whales. Harbour…

|Observation of the Week 2/5/2024
L’automne dernier, le rorqual commun Ti-Croche a été pourvu d’une balise pour suivre sa migration. © Pêches et Océans Canada

The Winter Migration of the Fin Whale Ti-Croche

The migrations of large rorquals still hold many mysteries. Where do they go in winter? How long do they stay…

|News 1/5/2024

How can I find work with whales?

In a few weeks from now, scientists will be plying the waters of the St. Lawrence with the aim of…

|Whale Q&A 1/5/2024

Belugas and Migrating Birds

This past week, belugas have been seen from both shores of the estuary. Humpbacks, minke whales and seals were also…

|Observation of the Week 25/4/2024

2023 Beluga Mortality Assessment: The Trend Continues

According to data from the Quebec Marine Mammal Emergency Response Network (QMMERN), last year saw the recovery of 17 beluga…

|Marine Mammal Emergencies 25/4/2024

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…

|Observation of the Week 18/4/2024

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…

|News 18/4/2024

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…

|Observation of the Week 11/4/2024

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…

|News 11/4/2024

April Whales

“Fin whales in Les Escoumins,” remarks one avid yet impressed observer: “Their powerful breaths really hit you in the gut!” “A…

|Observation of the Week 4/4/2024

A Week of Large Rorquals

Large rorquals continuing to wow observers, a few belugas, harp seals resting on the ice and harbour seals... What more…

|Observation of the Week 28/3/2024

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…

|Marine Mammal Emergencies 28/3/2024

Blue Whales for the Start of Spring

“Seeing them breath when it’s cold is even more impressive! When we talk about 10 metres high, it’s really 10…

|Observation of the Week 21/3/2024

Gearing Up For Spring

A spring snow squall, minke whales slowly arriving, humpbacks breaching and river otters peering at the camera... The riverbanks were…

|Observation of the Week 14/3/2024

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…

|Hot Topics 14/3/2024

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.…

|Field Notes 14/3/2024

Whales, Belugas and Seals: A Busy Week on the North Shore

There's been plenty of action in the St. Lawrence in these first few days of March! Several belugas were seen…

|Observation of the Week 7/3/2024

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…

|News 7/3/2024

Harp Seals, on the Ice and in the Water

In terms of marine mammal sightings, the week can be summed up by harp seals at several locations in the…

|Observation of the Week 29/2/2024

Speed Reductions in the Presence of Whales Prove Effective

Have you ever wondered why speed limits are imposed in certain shipping areas? Part of the answer can be summed…

|News 29/2/2024

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…

|Whale Q&A 29/2/2024

Blue Whale in Les Escoumins

It seems that the biggest giant of all has paid a little visit to Les Escoumins! In fact, several local…

|Observation of the Week 22/2/2024

The Inspiring Story of the Grey Whale

Each in their own way, every species on our planet must cope with the impacts of human actions, paving way…

|News 22/2/2024

Good News for St. Lawrence Belugas

World Whale Day is the perfect opportunity to make some big announcements for belugas! Thanks to a new census method,…

|News 19/2/2024

Large Spouts Offshore and Seals on the Ice

Large rorquals continue to blow off the coasts of Franquelin and Godbout, making for some extraordinary winter observations. Elsewhere in…

|Observation of the Week 15/2/2024

When February Feels like July

Once again this week, blue whales have been on the prowl, with one spotted in Franquelin, others in Godbout and…

|Observation of the Week 8/2/2024

Working With Whales: A Dream Come True for Jade-Audrey

When she was just 11 years old, Jade-Audrey already knew she wanted to work with cetaceans. Years later, her childhood…

|News 8/2/2024

Élizabeth: Woman of Science and Belugas

Élizabeth, research assistant for the Group for Research and Education on Marine Mammals (GREMM), has been photographing belugas since May…

|News 8/2/2024

The Big Blue

Viewed from the window, a powerful blast erupts from the river’s murky waters. From the comfort of their own home,…

|Observation of the Week 2/2/2024

The Secret Societies of Sperm Whales

Are sperm whales really as solitary as we think? The answer might surprise you. Indeed, you probably would have never…

|News 1/2/2024

Large Rorquals Under the Winter Sun

If it weren’t for the snow-covered shoreline and the sub-zero temperatures, Franquelin residents could almost be forgiven for thinking it’s…

|Observation of the Week 25/1/2024

North Atlantic Right Whale Calving Season Still Far Under Par

* As of January 29, 2024, the total number of calves born was 16. An exceptional event was observed a…

|News 25/1/2024

Winter Doldrums

Throughout the St. Lawrence, the snowfall of the past few days has put a damper on opportunities for watching marine…

|Observation of the Week 18/1/2024

Fin whales for the New Year

The presence of fin whales in the estuary surprised observers just in time for New Year’s. Harp seals have been…

|Observation of the Week 11/1/2024

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…

|Whale Q&A 9/1/2024

Top five films and documentaries about whales

The holiday season is the perfect time to immerse yourself in stories about marine mammals and relax in front of…

|News 14/12/2023
Béluga du Saint-Laurent

Sparkling belugas

Across the St. Lawrence, it was the tranquility of sightings that marked the past week. Many observers reported seeing nothing…

|Observation of the Week 14/12/2023

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.…

|Whale Q&A 7/12/2023

Blue Whales and Fin Whales on the Horizon

What could possibly spark the interest of adults and children alike, drawing a crowd on the shores of Franquelin one…

|Observation of the Week 7/12/2023

A Late November with Dolphins and Rorquals Aplenty

Dozens of Atlantic white-sided dolphins, a late humpback, a minke whale here, belugas there... There’s so much marine fauna in…

|Observation of the Week 30/11/2023

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…

|Marine Mammal Emergencies 30/11/2023

Reproductive Failures and Malnutrition in the Southern Resident Killer Whale

The recovery of the small community of southern resident killer whales – estimated at around 75 individuals – is hanging…

|News 30/11/2023

Belugas Under the Snow

As November winds down, the snow gently reminds us that winter temperatures are right around the corner. With most of…

|Observation of the Week 23/11/2023

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…

|Marine Mammal Emergencies 23/11/2023

An Exceptional Cetacean: Tool Use in Bottlenose Dolphins

In Shark Bay, Western Australia, a subset of the bottlenose dolphin population displays remarkable ingenuity. When foraging, they cover their…

|News 23/11/2023

Small or Large, Marine Mammals Are Still Present!

Although sightings are beginning to taper off in the gulf, the estuary is still abuzz with the resonating spouts of…

|Observation of the Week 16/11/2023

Killer Whales: Male Offspring at the Expense of Maternal Reproductive Success

According to a study published in Current Biology, females in the small community of southern resident killer whales invest their…

|News 15/11/2023

Make way for Perucetus colossus, a sea giant that would have outweighed a blue whale!

Imagine 150 cars piled on top of one another like a mountain. Sounds impressive, doesn’t it? But hold on: it…

|News 14/11/2023

A Frenzy of Humpback Whales!

Humpback whales were at it again this week, giving us perhaps one last chance to admire their antics in the…

|Observation of the Week 9/11/2023

Alloparental Care and Benefits for Young Belugas: Unanswered Questions

How do young belugas benefit from alloparental care? This is a question that Jaclyn Aubin and her colleagues tried to…

|News 9/11/2023

A Beautiful End to the Season!

Notable sightings of the week included reports of little make-believe characters, from Nemo to the Little Mermaid to SpongeBob, parading…

|Observation of the Week 3/11/2023

Whales in the Flesh!

Friday morning, September 22, 2023. Warning: Not for the faint of heart! I wake up shortly after dawn. The golden…

|Field Notes 3/11/2023

Killer Whales in Basse-Côte-Nord

Rare visitors to the St. Lawrence were observed this past week in Quebec's Basse-Côte-Nord (Lower North Shore) region: killer whales.…

|Observation of the Week 26/10/2023

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…

|Field Notes 25/10/2023

The Study of Animal Intelligence and Its Human Bias (Part 2)

Now that we’ve discussed human bias in the study of animal intelligence, let’s explore in this second part the different…

|News 23/10/2023

Winding Down the Season

Although the cruise season is drawing to a close, marine mammals don’t seem like they’re quite ready to leave! Almost…

|Observation of the Week 19/10/2023

The Study of Animal Intelligence and Human Bias (Part 1)

Did you know that the octopus is able to solve puzzles and to dream? That pigs show signs of empathy?…

|News 19/10/2023

Spouts and Tail Slapping Displays

In the sometimes calm, sometimes choppy waters of the St. Lawrence, cetaceans have made some noteworthy appearances. The clearly visible,…

|Observation of the Week 12/10/2023

Humpback Whales: Between River and Sky

September 14, 2023 will remain a date forever engraved in my memory. It was a strange and surreal day, Which…

|Field Notes 11/10/2023

Mysteries of the Depths: Discover the Surprises Unearthed from the Seabed during Sediment Sampling in the Estuary

By Eliza-Jane Morin, Resource Management Officer, Parks Canada During the summer months, the Parks Canada conservation team in the Saguenay-St.…

|Field Notes 11/10/2023

Predator-Prey Monitoring: Incursion into the Food Chain of the Saguenay-St. Lawrence Marine Park

Once a week during the summer season, we carry out predator-prey monitoring in the lower estuary. The objective of this…

|Field Notes 10/10/2023

Autumn in the St. Lawrence

New whales continue to arrive in the St. Lawrence and marine diversity is matched only by the palette of colours…

|Observation of the Week 6/10/2023

Potential Impacts of Rising Ocean Temperatures on Whales

Undeniably, today’s environment is undergoing rapid, irreversible and radical transformations. Being entirely subject to the laws of natural selection, whales…

|News 5/10/2023

Dolphins Make Their Return to the Estuary

They swim in groups in successive leaps, a palette of colours radiating above the water surface. We can distinguish white…

|Observation of the Week 29/9/2023

Understanding the Past… One Phalanx at a Time

Ever look at a whale’s pectoral fins and wonder what lies beneath the skin? Enclosed in the rigid and resilient…

|Whale Q&A 28/9/2023

Unforgettable Sightings of Feeding Whales

Autumn is right around the corner for our queens of the seas, who are gearing up – quietly but surely!…

|Observation of the Week 21/9/2023

How do whales keep warm in frigid waters?

As part of Science Literacy Week taking place from September 18 to 24 under the theme “Energy,” the Whales Online…

|Whale Q&A 21/9/2023

Total Euphoria

A 2014 BBC documentary showed a pod of dolphins playing with a pufferfish, prodding and grabbing it with their beaks…

|News 14/9/2023

Otherworldly Bodies in the River

Despite the excitement caused by the long-awaited arrival of sperm whales in the gulf, a certain calm has now returned…

|Observation of the Week 14/9/2023

Rorquals in the Fjord and Sperm Whales

A new species is visiting the Gulf of St. Lawrence for the first time this year: the sperm whale. In…

|Observation of the Week 7/9/2023

Can whales be escorted by sound?

Did you know that a sound wave can travel through water at a speed of 5,400 kilometres per hour? In…

|Whale Q&A 7/9/2023

Whales at the heart of the St. Lawrence River

The magic of moments along the St. Lawrence is in abundance as August comes to a close. It's a graceful…

|Observation of the Week 5/9/2023

Art dedicated to whales – archival artwork by Maryse Goudreau

In a context where environmental concerns are at the center of discussions, it seems difficult to navigate through the different…

|News 31/8/2023

A blue whale in the Saguenay and Tic Tac Toe in Gaspésie!

What could be more impressive than a blue whale, the largest animal alive? Perhaps to see this immense whale make…

|Observation of the Week 24/8/2023

Fin whale breach: rare and enigmatic

The Mediterranean Sea is home to a unique population of fin whales that has evolved separately from the North Atlantic…

|News 24/8/2023

Cetacean Diversity in Full Swing

Blue whales? Up to three individuals have reportedly been observed in the estuary. Humpbacks? Several in Gaspé Bay, including a…

|Observation of the Week 17/8/2023
La propagation du son est 5 fois plus rapide dans l’eau que dans l’air. © GREMM

Echolocation in Land vs. Marine Animals

Echolocation is used by several animals such as bats, dolphins, toothed whales and some nocturnal birds. This technique allows animals…

|News 17/8/2023

Waters Vibrating with Life

The waters of the St. Lawrence are populated by a multitude of marine mammals: Tic Tac Toe is back for…

|Observation of the Week 10/8/2023

A Week on Gros-Cacouna Mountain

By Cristiane Albuquerque, ecologist and acting team lead at the Saguenay-St. Lawrence Marine Park I had the opportunity to spend…

|Field Notes 9/8/2023

Lucky Eight?

Eight humpback whales were identified over the past week in the Saguenay-St. Lawrence Marine Park. At the other end of…

|Observation of the Week 3/8/2023

The Jane Goodall Act

The question of how relevant and ethical (or unethical!) animal establishments such as zoos and aquariums are is highly debatable.…

|News 1/8/2023

A Look at the Iris

Compared to their giant bodies, the eyes of whales are quite small. It is often said that the eyes are…

|Whale Q&A 30/7/2023

Right Whales in the Gulf

What did the waters off Percé and those near Anticosti Island have in common this past week? Both were visited…

|Observation of the Week 27/7/2023

Do whales practise infanticide?

Did you know that in some terrestrial species such as the baboon, infanticide can cause up to 70% of all…

|Whale Q&A 25/7/2023

A Blue Horizon

The fog lifts after having shrouded Gaspé Bay for several days, meaning observers can finally admire the colourful panorama... and…

|Observation of the Week 20/7/2023

A Day Aboard the Ciktek in Pursuit of the Harbour Seal

Today, June 21, 2023, is National Indigenous Peoples Day. I want to emphasize this, since I will be sailing on…

|Field Notes 19/7/2023

Stars of the St. Lawrence

They exude an aura of magic that animates evening get-togethers along the shores of the St. Lawrence. Every year, visitors…

|Observation of the Week 13/7/2023

Cancer Protection in the Giants of the Animal Kingdom

Ever heard of Peto’s paradox? The latter states that the probability of developing cancer is unrelated to the number of…

|News 13/7/2023

Gaspar, Guadeloupe and Aramis Put on a Show!

Although the start of the season has been a quiet one, whales seem to have finally arrived in the St.…

|Observation of the Week 6/7/2023

One small population of indomitable freshwater seals still holds out, but for how long?

Ever heard of the mysterious and legendary achikunipi, as this animal is known to the Cree? Or the qasigiaq, the…

|News 6/7/2023

Best Practices to Adopt Near Seals

Although they are marine mammals, pinnipeds carry out a number of their most important activities out of water. Indeed, napping,…

|Marine Mammal Emergencies 5/7/2023

Whales Identified in Côte-Nord!

In the Saguenay–St. Lawrence Marine Park as well as in the Mingan and Sept-Îles sectors, humpback and fin whale sightings…

|Observation of the Week 29/6/2023

Should we be concerned about the low numbers of whales in the St. Lawrence River during the first few weeks of the season?

You’ve probably heard this question more than once since the start of the season! Our team therefore felt it might…

|News 29/6/2023

The Little Seal in Ragueneau

It’s late morning on Friday, June 2, when the phone rings. It’s the Quebec Marine Mammal Emergency Response Network (QMMERN)…

|Field Notes 29/6/2023

How long can blue whales hold their breath?

The blue whale has a dive time that varies from around 10 to 30 minutes, which is not enough to…

|Whale Q&A 29/6/2023

Fascinating Stories

The weekly sightings column is not only a bit of a summary of everything that has been seen in the…

|Observation of the Week 22/6/2023

Two Breathtaking Scenes

The slow start to the 2023 season in the Lower Estuary continues, with still very few observations of large whales.…

|Field Notes 22/6/2023
Même s'ils n’ont pas une bonne vision, les yeux des bélugas, situés aux deux extrémités de leur tête leur permettent de bénéficier d’un large champ de vision. © GREMM

Super Soldiers of the Animal Kingdom!

A beluga ironically named Hvaldimir – Hval for “whale” in Norwegian – was first seen in 2019 off the coast…

|News 22/6/2023

Satellite Tagging: One More Step Toward Helping Entangled Cetaceans in Quebec

On May 23 and 24, several members of the team from the Quebec Marine Mammal Emergency Response Network (QMMERN) and…

|Marine Mammal Emergencies 15/6/2023

Large Rorquals in the Gulf

This week, large rorquals were present all around the gulf. A blue whale made an appearance near Sept-Îles, minke whales…

|Observation of the Week 15/6/2023
© Dr. Brandon Southall, NMFS/OPR

Interactions Between Killer Whales and Ships in the Strait of Gibraltar: A Challenge for Maritime Cohabitation

Why is the Strait of Gibraltar killer whale subpopulation increasingly interacting with boats? How did this behaviour originate? These are…

|News 15/6/2023

Humpbacks in the Gaspé and Concerns in the Estuary

After a quiet start to the season, humpback whales are now making a long-awaited return to Gaspésie, with between six…

|Observation of the Week 8/6/2023

A Strange Start to the 2023 Season…

I like it when these field notes are representative of our daily observations on the water. It goes without saying…

|Field Notes 8/6/2023

How about a few stories with happy endings? Chronicles of successes in marine mammal conservation

From an emotional standpoint, the world of conservation can often be quite difficult to navigate. Through our own activities, the…

|News 7/6/2023

Spring is for Minke Whales

Even if the week was quiet in terms of observations, the presence of minke whales did add a little action…

|Observation of the Week 1/6/2023

Back on the Water

Tuesday, May 23, 2023. For amateur cetologist René Roy, this is his second time on the water this season. During…

|Observation of the Week 25/5/2023

The reasons behind an exceptional year for humpback

“First time ever,” “extraordinary,” “record...” After a while, observers describing the 2021 whale-watching season in the estuary began to run…

|News 24/5/2023
Bp920 rorqual commun

Fin Whales Are Back!

This week, marine mammals were not deterred by the snow and wind from parading up and down the St. Lawrence.…

|Observation of the Week 18/5/2023

Return of Tic Tac Toe

To begin these field notes, we first need to travel back in time to September 1999. It was one of…

|Field Notes 18/5/2023

Arrival of Tic Tac Toe

While some communities are eagerly waiting for the ice to break up on the local river or for the tulips…

|Observation of the Week 11/5/2023

Whales and Seals, Rain or Shine

The heavy rains and strong winds that pounded “La Belle Province” in recent days have certainly made watching marine mammals…

|Observation of the Week 4/5/2023

Symposium beluga 2023

In 1988, the International Forum for the Future of the Beluga was held. Just five years earlier, in 1983, the…

|News 3/5/2023

“The Humpbacks are Here!”

“You’ll see, tomorrow morning there will be humpbacks in Les Bergeronnes,” claims Renaud Pintiaux, a long-time observer forWhales Online. Gut…

|Observation of the Week 1/5/2023

Exciting Spring Arrivals

Another season is underway, and here I am once again with field notes that you will find posted on this…

|Field Notes 1/5/2023

Participatory Science: The Key to Conservation

Whether it’s by reporting your sightings or volunteering with a conservation organization, there’s no wrong way to get involved with…

|News 1/5/2023
Un groupe de marsouins communs

Little Porpoises, Large Spouts

Swimming in proximity to both a blue whale and a fin whale, the first harbour porpoises of the season made…

|Observation of the Week 20/4/2023

Earth Day 2023: 5 Things You Can Do to Help Whales

Since every little gesture counts when it comes to safeguarding the environment, the Whales Online team presents five actions that…

|News 20/4/2023

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…

|Hot Topics 13/4/2023

Solo or in groups, the cetaceans are back!

The list of marine species present in the St. Lawrence is getting longer and longer: blue whales and fin whales…

|Observation of the Week 13/4/2023

A third calf in three years for Tic Tac Toe?

Tic Tac Toe, an easily recognizable female humpback whale with a large “X” on her caudal fin, was seen several…

|Whale Q&A 13/4/2023
Béluga du Saint-Laurent

White Whales Mark the Return of Spring

This past week in the St. Lawrence, strong winds, inclement weather and rough seas did not make easy to observe…

|Observation of the Week 6/4/2023

Why are some whales two-tone?

Many whales feature both dark body parts and light body parts. This is the case for a number of species…

|Whale Q&A 5/4/2023

Encounters with Giants

The mysterious series of spout sightings that began last week continues, only this time we might actually be able to…

|Observation of the Week 30/3/2023

40th Year of Beluga Carcass Recovery Program: Persistent Concerns in 2022

Over the past year, 12 beluga carcasses were discovered adrift or on the shores of the St. Lawrence by the…

|Marine Mammal Emergencies 30/3/2023

Tale of a Migration to Mexico

Since 2019, I ‘ve been making an annual migration to Mexico for a few months each year, more precisely to…

|Field Notes 30/3/2023

Mystery Whales

This week, eyes are shifting to the Gaspé in the hope of solving a very particular enigma… Large rorquals have…

|Observation of the Week 23/3/2023

A Brief Guide to Partial Necropsy

As part of a training course, my colleague and UMM technician Méduline Chailloux and I met on a Saturday morning…

|Field Notes 22/3/2023

Blue Whale Spout on the Horizon

Off the coast of Sept-Îles, a huge blast rises into the air, then another. Clearly visible from shore, these blows…

|Observation of the Week 16/3/2023

Right Whale Situation Proves Precarious Once Again

Between entanglements in fishing gear, ship strikes and climate change, the past few decades have been rough for the North…

|News 16/3/2023

Do whales have a navel?

Being mammals, whales have a lot more in common with us than you might think. From breathing to nursing to…

|Whale Q&A 14/3/2023

Between Doldrums and Delirium

Last week’s sightings article may have inspired some of you... One marine mammal enthusiast wrote to us that she even…

|Observation of the Week 9/3/2023

A “GREMMlin” at IMPAC5

From February 3 to 9, the Fifth International Marine Protected Areas Congress, IMPAC5, was held in Vancouver. The event was…

|Field Notes 8/3/2023

Katak the Brave Beluga: An Eye-opening Film on the Beauty of the St. Lawrence and the Fragility of Belugas

In the thrilling journey of a young beluga in search of his grandfather, the animated film Katak the Brave Beluga,…

|News 2/3/2023

In Search of Wonder

Over the past week, harp seals, harbour seals and belugas have been sighted along the north shore of the St.…

|Observation of the Week 2/3/2023

Winter Pupping Season: A Risky Affair

The diminishing ice cover observed in the Estuary and Gulf of St. Lawrence in recent years is having an impact…

|Marine Mammal Emergencies 2/3/2023

From Swimming Giants to Flying Gulls

Sunny days, seabirds flying gracefully over the river as they forage for food, reflections in the crystal clear water and…

|Observation of the Week 23/2/2023
Rorqual commun

Synchronized Fin Whales

July 13, 2021. Several large spouts erupt off the coast of Sept-Îles. One, two, three blasts. Four, then seven, then…

|News 23/2/2023

Mirages and Blue Whale

A blue whale venturing near the coast, seals resting on blocks of ice, a solitary beluga that shows its tail…

|Observation of the Week 16/2/2023

Advancing Marine Mammal Research, One Sample at a Time

When a marine mammal carcass is found stranded or adrift in the waters of the St. Lawrence, the Quebec Marine…

|Marine Mammal Emergencies 16/2/2023

Surviving Winter: A Whole Science!

Despite the arctic temperatures of the past week, the marine animals of the St. Lawrence do not seem to have…

|Observation of the Week 10/2/2023
Squelette

Whale Skeleton Preservation: Interview with Michel Martin, GREMM’s “Skeleton Master”

Anyone who has ever walked through the doors of Tadoussac’s Marine Mammal Interpretation Centre (CIMM) has undoubtedly gawked at the…

|Whale Q&A 7/2/2023

Calm Before the Big Cold Front

On the horizon, on the ice and in the waves, every week is different than the one before. Few marine…

|Observation of the Week 2/2/2023

A day at the Quebec Marine Mammal Emergency Response Network

Saturday, September 17: The weather is beautiful and the participants of the Béluga Ultra Trail (web page in French) race…

|Field Notes 2/2/2023

Belugas and Drones: A Call for Caution

Although drones are useful tools for conducting marine mammal research, it is legitimate to wonder what impact they may have…

|News 1/2/2023

Winter Rorquals

It’s a white January morning and the wintry wind is blowing across the river when a local resident sitting cosily…

|Observation of the Week 26/1/2023

Goodbye whales, hello seals!

After causing a sensation two weeks ago with a remarkable presence in Percé and a few appearances in the Côte-Nord…

|Observation of the Week 19/1/2023

Where are whales’ brains located?

From odontocetes to mysticetes, whale anatomy varies from one species to another, even with regard to their heads! The sperm…

|Whale Q&A 19/1/2023

Deep-water denizen stranded in Sept-Îles

Last October 23, a True’s beaked whale beached itself and died in the Bay of Sept-Îles. The causes of this…

|Marine Mammal Emergencies 19/1/2023

Ice and Surprises 

During the end-of year holiday season, the waters of the St. Lawrence quietly became cloaked in a sheet of ice…

|Observation of the Week 12/1/2023

Preventing Whale Entanglements with Ropeless Fishing Gear

Over the past several years, the novel field of ropeless fishing has been expanding thanks to the research and development…

|News 16/12/2022

Will we have a blue Christmas?

A pleasant visit to the St. Lawrence this week makes one want to hum the tune “Blue Christmas.” Not for…

|Observation of the Week 15/12/2022

Wintertime Seals, Whales and Belugas

This week, winter lovers were able to take advantage of the short, sunny days to admire seals, belugas, minke whales…

|Observation of the Week 8/12/2022

Top Picks for a Rich Whale Library

Many species of whales have left the St. Lawrence for the winter. Observing these cetaceans in the flesh in the…

|News 8/12/2022

North Atlantic Right Whales: On a Quest for Food

Since 2015, an uptick in the presence of North Atlantic right whales has been observed in the Gulf of St.…

|News 8/12/2022

Big gulps in the bay

The day is calm with a quiet whisper of a wind, while out in the bay, a few dark spots…

|Observation of the Week 1/12/2022

Avian Flu: First Documented Case in Cetaceans in Quebec

Last September, the Quebec Marine Mammal Emergency Response Network received a report of an Atlantic white-sided dolphin carcass near Rimouski.…

|Marine Mammal Emergencies 30/11/2022

Not one… not two… but six humpbacks!

This week, a few humpback whales were still present in the St. Lawrence and residents were even treated to an…

|Observation of the Week 25/11/2022

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…

|Observation of the Week 17/11/2022

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…

|News 17/11/2022

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…

|Observation of the Week 10/11/2022

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…

|Whale Q&A 10/11/2022

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…

|Observation of the Week 3/11/2022

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.…

|Whale Q&A 3/11/2022

Action on the Horizon

Whether watching through their binoculars, through the lens of their camera or with their own two eyes while squinting from…

|Observation of the Week 27/10/2022

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…

|Whale Q&A 27/10/2022

Making Sense of Whale Taxonomy

By definition, taxonomy is a science aimed at studying the diversity of the living world. In this regard, organisms are…

|Whale Q&A 25/10/2022

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…

|Field Notes 25/10/2022

Where do whales get their scars?

Some whales bear reminders of their past. Sometimes inconspicuous, sometimes more pronounced, scars of all shapes and sizes mark the…

|Whale Q&A 20/10/2022

Winds and Whales

One might think that the roller coaster temperatures of autumn are hardly conducive to marine mammal sightings. However, this is…

|Observation of the Week 20/10/2022

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…

|News 14/10/2022

Cetaceans by the Dozen

A dozen or so humpback whales have been observed in Gaspé Bay over the past week. A few individuals approach…

|Observation of the Week 13/10/2022

Fearful or Bold, Curious or Solitary… By Nature? Personality in Whales

The more time they spend watching and working with marine mammals, the more observers and scientists alike come to assume…

|Whale Q&A 13/10/2022

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…

|Field Notes 11/10/2022

Are grey seals cannibalistic?

Although the grey seal feeds primarily on fish and crustaceans, it also seems to hunt and occaisonally feed on harbour…

|Whale Q&A 7/10/2022

Colourful Silhouettes

Whether it’s pods of white-sided dolphins repeatedly leaping out of the water, breaching minke whales or a blue whale blowing…

|Observation of the Week 6/10/2022

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…

|Field Notes 6/10/2022

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…

|News 6/10/2022

Autumn Winds

Mariners are well aware that in fall, storms often produce strong winds from the east or northeast. While some enthusiasts…

|Observation of the Week 30/9/2022

Do whales exhibit altruism? (Part 1 of 3) The Example of Humpback Whales

It is difficult to determine with certainty the altruistic character of a given animal behaviour. Indeed, guessing their motive is…

|Whale Q&A 29/9/2022

Five New Discoveries about the North Atlantic Right Whale

For scientists, the endangered North Atlantic right whale is a source of both fascination and concern. This is why a…

|News 29/9/2022

How is math used to study whales?

A favourite subject for some but dreaded by others, math can sometimes be applied in unusual ways. As part of…

|Whale Q&A 24/9/2022

Humpbacks, seals and belugas

This week, all up and down the St. Lawrence, humpback whales are topping the lists of observations, along with other…

|Observation of the Week 23/9/2022

The Belugas of Cacouna

“Hey look! Over there! A beluga!” Posted on our observation platform on the sacred mountain of Gros-Cacouna, Sami and I…

|Field Notes 20/9/2022

Fog-shrouded Waters

This past week was marked by the presence of fog almost all across the St. Lawrence. Mingan Islands, La Malbaie,…

|Observation of the Week 15/9/2022

Book of the Dead: Nearly 600 Beluga Carcasses Examined Over Past 40 Years

Every year, between 15 and 20 beluga carcasses are found and recovered along the shores of the St. Lawrence. Why…

|News 15/9/2022

White beaks, speckled grey backs and golden spouts

Out on the water, the mild conditions over the last few days have allowed for the observation of a number…

|Observation of the Week 8/9/2022

Dolphin, harbour porpoise or…fish ?

It is a beautiful evening of observation, a magnificent sunset, a refreshing breeze, a most grandiose panorama. The eyes turned…

|Observation of the Week 1/9/2022

Dorsal Fins, From Killer Whales to Narwhals

Scanning the vast, nutrient-rich waters of the St. Lawrence, any keen-eyed observer may ask a very simple but essential question…

|Whale Q&A 1/9/2022

Colourful St. Lawrence

This week in the St. Lawrence, giants of all colours amazed young and old observers alike. From grey seals to…

|Observation of the Week 25/8/2022

Surveying Whale-Watchers to Better Protect Whales

Ever since the Saguenay-St. Lawrence Marine Park was created in 1998, a large number of protective measures have been put…

|News 24/8/2022
Narval

Big Return of a Small Cetacean

This week, there was action in the St. Lawrence! In addition to the usual species that seem to be just…

|Observation of the Week 18/8/2022

Invasive Aquatic Species Project

The week of July 11 to 15 marked the second year of sampling for our project in collaboration with Fisheries…

|Field Notes 18/8/2022

Are there fewer whales in the St. Lawrence this season?

On both shores of the St. Lawrence, many folks are concerned about the paucity of whales observed in the river…

|News 15/8/2022

Marine Observation Activities

Since 1994, sampling has been conducted on nearly 3,000 excursionsin the heart of the Saguenay-St. Lawrence Marine Park by the…

|Field Notes 11/8/2022

Exceptional Tours in the Estuary

Everyone was surprised this week when not one, but two endangered species ventured into the St. Lawrence Estuary: one North…

|Observation of the Week 11/8/2022

A Drive Down the “Whale Trail”

Between Tadoussac and Kegaska, Route 138 hugs the coast of Quebec’s Côte-Nord region for over 850 kilometres. Dotted with magnificent…

|Observation of the Week 4/8/2022

Whales with Microplastics in their Bellies

Problems related to plastic garbage in our oceans and waterways have been with us for many years now. What’s more,…

|News 2/8/2022

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…

|Marine Mammal Emergencies 2/8/2022

Swimming against the current

After the pioneering belugas that ventured into Baie des Ha! Ha! last week, this week it is the humpbacks’ turn to…

|Observation of the Week 28/7/2022

Entangled Humpback – A Chronicle

On Wednesday, July 13, a humpback whale was spotted off the coast of Les Escoumins accompanied by a calf that…

|Marine Mammal Emergencies 26/7/2022

A Day in the Field with the Quebec Marine Mammal Emergency Response Network

On the evening of June 20, 2022, the Quebec Marine Mammal Emergency Response Network (QMMERN) gets wind that a harbour…

|Field Notes 21/7/2022
Béluga du Saint-Laurent

Exploratory Belugas

Belugas made headlines this week when a group of a dozen or so individuals was observed in Baie des Ha! Ha!…

|Observation of the Week 21/7/2022

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…

|Marine Mammal Emergencies 14/7/2022

Memorable Observations

When it comes to marine mammals, sometimes no two days are alike. For several weeks, a resident of Tadoussac had been…

|Observation of the Week 14/7/2022

Living According to the Rhythm of the Whales

There are enormous benefits to working and living in whale country.  Now my home base, Tadoussac is a tourist destination for…

|Observation of the Week 7/7/2022

“Now the season can start!”

A certain enchantment can sometimes develop between whales and the naturalists who observe them. For naturalist and wildlife photographer Renaud…

|Observation of the Week 30/6/2022

Tracking harbour seals in the fjord – a memorable first day in the field! June 6, 2022

The arrival of spring is synonymous with change. The days are getting longer, multiple species of whales are returning to…

|Field Notes 28/6/2022

Spring 2022: A Busy Season for QMMERN 

Seal pups harassed on the beaches, discovery of pinniped carcasses along the shores, vagrant minke whales in Montréal: these are…

|Marine Mammal Emergencies 23/6/2022

A Funny Coincidence

Belugas took full advantage of their first day of calm in the Saguenay Fjord. Many light-coloured backs were present in…

|Observation of the Week 23/6/2022

Action Near the Coast

From the small harbour porpoise to the titanic blue whale: the wide range of sightings offered by the St. Lawrence…

|Observation of the Week 16/6/2022

Why are baby belugas born brownish-grey before changing color?

Newborn belugas are born brownish before becoming grey-blue and then completely white. This gradual change of color is a common…

|Whale Q&A 16/6/2022

Humpbacks Stealing the Show!

Exuberant, splashy, and ubiquitous, humpback whales sometimes tend to turn our attention away from other cetaceans. And not only when…

|Observation of the Week 9/6/2022

A spout to kick off the day

Sometimes you have to get up at the crack of dawn if you want to be rewarded with exciting observations.…

|Observation of the Week 2/6/2022

Seals That Don’t Need Our Help

Spring is here and the seal pupping season is in full swing. The Quebec Marine Mammal Emergency Response Network (QMMERN)…

|Marine Mammal Emergencies 30/5/2022

Encounter with Pilot Whales

Do pilot whales impatiently look forward to spring just to cross paths with amateur cetologist René Roy? One thing is…

|Observation of the Week 26/5/2022

Struggling Right Whale in the Gulf of St. Lawrence

For over a week now, Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) has been attempting to locate a North Atlantic right whale…

|News 26/5/2022
Des bélugas dans l'eau

Climate Change Compromising Beluga Recovery

Despite the 1979 ban on commercial whaling that decimated the St. Lawrence beluga and the implementation of numerous protection measures,…

|News 25/5/2022

White Tails and Brown Calves

Small white backs speckled the St. Lawrence with their presence this week. Thursday, May 12, at the ferry terminal in…

|Observation of the Week 19/5/2022

Minke Whales Up and Down the St. Lawrence!

From Montréal to Sept-Îles and Gaspésie, there’s been a lot of talk about minke whales this week. While these small…

|Observation of the Week 12/5/2022

Minke whale updates

This page is dedicated to the presence of two minke whales in the waters of Montreal. It is updated several…

|Marine Mammal Emergencies 11/5/2022

Minke Whales in Montreal – Your Questions

Two minke whales have been observed in Montreal, near St. Helen's Island. The first individual has been in the area…

|Marine Mammal Emergencies 9/5/2022

Like a polar bear in Gaspésie…

This week, the most amazing marine mammal sighting is undoubtedly the presence of a polar bear in the Gaspé Peninsula.…

|Observation of the Week 5/5/2022

What do killer whales eat?

We all have in mind that killer whales are super-predators that can attack the largest animals on the planet: blue…

|Whale Q&A 3/5/2022

First Beluga Carcass Discovered in Les Escoumins

This is the first beluga whale carcass recovered for the 2022 season under the carcass recovery program initiated in 1983.…

|Marine Mammal Emergencies 29/4/2022

Return of the Minke Whales

They may be the smallest representatives of the rorqual family, but minke whales have been getting a lot of attention…

|Observation of the Week 28/4/2022

What does GREMM do in winter? (2/2)

[Continuation of article “What does GREMM do in winter? (2/2)”] Every winter, when the whales leave the Estuary, many of…

|Field Notes 25/4/2022

Pascolio and Easter Weekend

On Saturday, while scanning the Estuary through her binoculars, one local resident saw a funny-looking white spot from the rental…

|Observation of the Week 21/4/2022

Mortality 2021: An Ominous Year for Belugas

2021 will be no exception. Once again, researchers and specialists are concerned by the mortalities being observed in the St.…

|Marine Mammal Emergencies 19/4/2022

Spring Arrivals

Every year, when the month of April kicks off in the Haute-Côte-Nord region, an indescribable emotion begins to flow through…

|Field Notes 18/4/2022

First Humpback in the Estuary

Armed with his camera, wildlife photographer Renaud Pintiaux sets up on the shore of Cap de Bon-Désir this past Monday.…

|Observation of the Week 14/4/2022

What does GREMM do in winter? (1/2 )

When fall arrives and the whales leave the St. Lawrence Estuary for the winter, GREMM takes its boats out of…

|Field Notes 13/4/2022

Are blue whales really blue?

That might sound like a funny question! After all, isn’t the blue colour of Balaenoptera musculus, in addition to its…

|Whale Q&A 11/4/2022

“Thar she blows!”

The excitement is palpable this week on the shores of the St. Lawrence! For the past few days, the same…

|Observation of the Week 7/4/2022

Return of the Gannets

There’s been a lot of action in the Gaspé this week! In addition to spotting harbour seals every day in…

|Observation of the Week 31/3/2022

15 Calves Spark Hope for Right Whales

From November to April, North Atlantic right whales give birth to their calves in the warm waters off Florida and…

|News 30/3/2022

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…

|Hot Topics 28/3/2022

Right Whale Protection Measures Renewed for 2022

On Thursday, March 10, Fisheries and Oceans Canada announced the protection measures that will be put in place this year…

|News 28/3/2022

Vacation Memories… Humpback Style!

We know where H858, also known as Queen, and H879 spent their holidays! No, these two humpbacks did not send…

|Observation of the Week 24/3/2022

Humpback Whale ‘Rumba’ in Mexico

For the past few years, I’ve been making the occasional winter trip to Mexico, just for the sake of warming…

|Field Notes 21/3/2022

Signs of Spring

After a long winter, residents are beginning to see patches of open water in the St. Lawrence’s coat of ice…

|Observation of the Week 17/3/2022

Volunteers Needed for Marine Mammal Emergencies

Volunteers are our eyes and our hands in the field. In addition to helping the scientific community gain vital knowledge…

|Marine Mammal Emergencies 17/3/2022

Are beluga biopsies harmful?

Since 1994, GREMM’s research team has been conducting a long-term biopsy program (article in French) on the beluga population of…

|Whale Q&A 15/3/2022

Ice Dwellers

Monday evening, from the window of her home in Sept-Îles, a local resident peers outside to admire the blazing sky…

|Observation of the Week 10/3/2022
Béluga du Saint-LaurentBéluga du Saint-Laurent

Crystal Clear Waters

Cetaceans in sight for the first time weeks! On February 25, it was from the docks in Les Escoumins that…

|Observation of the Week 3/3/2022

How much food does a blue whale eat?

Tipping the scales at up to 135 tonnes, the blue whale is the largest animal on our planet. Seeing the…

|Whale Q&A 28/2/2022

An Oral Plug to Prevent Whales from Choking on Seawater

The rorqual family includes the largest animals on the planet. In order to satisfy their gargantuan energy needs by gulping…

|News 24/2/2022

Skies and Oceans

Between two snowstorms, all eyes turn to the waters of the St. Lawrence, scanning the horizon for marine mammals. It…

|Observation of the Week 24/2/2022

CIMM Presents Virtual “Bones with Stories to Tell” Exhibition

The Marine Mammal Interpretation Centre (CIMM) is coming to you! Our collection of cetacean skeletons – the only one of…

|News 17/2/2022

A little head poking above the water

When the north winds quiet down, the surface of the St. Lawrence ends up looking like a mirror, frozen solid…

|Observation of the Week 17/2/2022

A Quick Glance at the World of Whales

So many pinnipeds in this chilly week of February! That’s what several observers from the Côte-Nord region have been telling…

|Observation of the Week 10/2/2022

Masturbation and Functional Clitoris: Dolphins’ Sexual Life Revealed

It is widely known that some animal species, including humans and bonobos, engage in sexual activity outside of their breeding…

|News 8/2/2022

Destination Azores with Expedition Glacialis (Part 2 of 2: The Science)

By Mathieu Marzelière with the collaboration of Laurence Tremblay [Continuation of article “Destination Azores with Expedition Glacialis (Part 1 of…

|Field Notes 7/2/2022

Winter Doldrums

No backs, no spouts, not even the shadow of a tail. Zero, zip, zilch. “No whales this week,” a number…

|Observation of the Week 3/2/2022

Destination Azores with Expedition Glacialis (Part 1 of 2: Marine Fauna)

By Mathieu Marzelière with the collaboration of Laurence Tremblay Laurence and I work for GREMM as research assistants. For several…

|Field Notes 3/2/2022
béluga hors de l'eau

How do whales see us?

Powerful yet elegant, cetaceans are majestic beings for humans to observe. But how do they see us? In colour or…

|Whale Q&A 27/1/2022

Braving the Cold

Do you see what I see? Between the frigid winds, snow squalls and ice floes forming on the St. Lawrence,…

|Observation of the Week 20/1/2022

Giants Under the Ice

On the St. Lawrence, it’s ice and more ice as far as the eye can see! In the Gaspé, where…

|Observation of the Week 27/1/2022

Twelve Years of Encounters with Humpback Whale H626 (a.k.a. BBR/Gaspar)

For many years now, I have regularly gone out on the water every summer as well as a good part…

|Field Notes 19/1/2022

Are whales righties or lefties?

Approximately 90% of humans are right-handed, preferring to use their right hand for writing and carrying out daily tasks, while…

|Whale Q&A 19/1/2022

On the Ice Floes

A polar cold snap swept across Quebec this week, bringing with it blustery winds, thick fog and fresh snow, adding…

|Observation of the Week 13/1/2022

Was the narwhal seen in the St. Lawrence in 2021?

Is the narwhal still in the region? Is it still associating with belugas? How is it doing? Many of you…

|Whale Q&A 13/1/2022

Some Belugas More Affected than Others by Underwater Noise

Underwater noise is a major issue in the protection St. Lawrence belugas, which rely on sound to find their way,…

|News 11/1/2022

To Michael Moore, “We Are All Whalers”

North Atlantic right whales are one of the most vulnerable cetacean species on the planet. With less than 350 individuals…

|News 7/1/2022

Lament of the seals

“Cré-moé, cré-moé pas, quelque part en Alaska, y a un phoque qui s'ennuie en maudit” (Believe it or not, somewhere…

|Observation of the Week 6/1/2022

Multiple Births and Low Mortality Spell Good Year for North Atlantic Right Whales

One of the most critically endangered cetacean species in the world, the North Atlantic right whale has been under close…

|News 5/1/2022

Marine Mammal Emergencies on the Ready this Holiday Season

While the end-of-year holidays are a good time to relax and celebrate with family, the Quebec Marine Mammal Emergency Response…

|Marine Mammal Emergencies 16/12/2021

Lingering Humpbacks and More in Frigid St. Lawrence

As the year draws to a close, fireplaces are crackling, winds are whipping and Quebec’s landscapes are gradually being covered…

|Observation of the Week 16/12/2021

Why do whales migrate?

Every year, the whales of the St. Lawrence travel thousands of kilometres between Quebec and their wintering grounds. A humpback…

|Whale Q&A 15/12/2021

Blows after the storm?

Between a winter storm, pounding winds and turbulent waters, this week’s weather conditions made it difficult to observe marine mammals.…

|Observation of the Week 14/12/2021

2021 Season Raises Questions

By René Roy For several years now, I’ve been plying the waters of the St. Lawrence in order to observe…

|Field Notes 13/12/2021

2021: Another Busy Year for Marine Mammal Emergencies

By Mélissa Tremblay, Head of the Marine Mammal Emergencies call centre Beginning in November, Marine Mammal Emergencies (UMM)  generally receives…

|Marine Mammal Emergencies 3/12/2021

One Final Outing…

By Renaud Pintiaux, naturalist and wildlife photographer   The whale-watching season in the waters between Tadoussac and Les Escoumins ended…

|Field Notes 3/12/2021

Geyser-like Spouts at the Water Surface

Clearly, Saturday was an eventful day in Gaspé Bay. On Saturday morning, two humpback whales were breaching repeatedly off the…

|Observation of the Week 2/12/2021

New Whale Species Discovered

Field observations are not the only way to discover new animal species. Through lab analyses of preserved skeletons and samples,…

|News 29/11/2021

Colorful Bubbling at Sea

Friday morning, from the top of the dunes in Tadoussac, an avid birder spots some splashing in the middle of…

|Observation of the Week 25/11/2021

Why put a price on a whale?

How much is a whale worth? According to a 2019 study conducted by the International Monetary Fund (IMF), a large…

|Whale Q&A 23/11/2021

Do albino whales exist?

They stand out from other members of their species by their unusual whiteness. They are known as albinos. Like land…

|Whale Q&A 17/11/2021

Singing seals

“It’s been a quiet week for whales,” admits a resident of Percé, “but grey seals have been abundant. From our…

|Observation of the Week 16/11/2021

“Window on Belugas” project receives $600,000 in funding from the Quebec government

On Monday, November 15, 2021 at 2:30 p.m., a press conference was held in Cacouna to announce the Government of Quebec’s…

|News 12/11/2021

Porpoises Galore!

In summer, harbour porpoises are often seen moving in large groups of up to several dozen individuals. This time of…

|Observation of the Week 11/11/2021

With the Belugas… Collecting Biopsies

By Laura Zeppetelli This fall, I had the opportunity to leave my office in downtown Montréal to board the Bleuvet…

|Field Notes 9/11/2021

Why are fin whales so fast?

Nicknamed the “greyhound of the sea,” the fin whale is the fastest of any of the large rorquals that frequent…

|Whale Q&A 9/11/2021

North Atlantic Right Whales: Climate Refugees

The North Atlantic right whale population is down to approximately 350 individuals and is critically endangered. The recovery of this…

|News 8/11/2021

Calm Waters

As the mercury drops, the weather grows harsher and boats are being docked for the winter, whales are setting out…

|Observation of the Week 4/11/2021

Why is it important not to touch a marine mammal carcass?

By Marie-Maude Rondeau Ever heard of Valleau, the sperm whale whose carcass washed ashore in L’Anse-à-Valleau in 2003? Today, this…

|Marine Mammal Emergencies 4/11/2021

Climate Change Triggers Shifts in Fin Whale Diets

As predators, fin whales are considered generalists, capable of hunting and feeding on a variety of prey ranging from zooplankton…

|News 1/11/2021

Whales on the Move!

After being present in large numbers in the Estuary this summer, the whales now seem to be heading east and…

|Observation of the Week 28/10/2021

Travelling back in time with a narwhal tusk

The tusk of the narwhal – a long spiral-shaped tooth that can measure nearly 3 metres long – makes a…

|News 27/10/2021

In the Wake of Sea Monsters

As Halloween approaches, horror stories abound! Amongst sources of inspiration for spooky legends, the ocean has always been a great…

|News 25/10/2021

Stealthy sperm whale?

Through his spotting scope, a birder posted at the Tadoussac dunes suspects he saw an unusual visitor on Sunday. The…

|Observation of the Week 21/10/2021

Mom, can you hear me?: The Challenge of Beluga Calves in the St. Lawrence

Biologist Valeria Vergara has always assumed that newborn belugas produce very soft vocalizations, making them particularly vulnerable to underwater noise.…

|News 15/10/2021

Chorus of Seals on the Rocks

On this Thanksgiving Monday afternoon, a group of kayakers is quietly paddling toward the dock at L'Anse-de-Roche when they hear…

|Observation of the Week 14/10/2021

When do the whales of the St. Lawrence migrate?

“Are the whales expected to arrive anytime soon? Are there any whales still in the area? How long will they…

|Whale Q&A 13/10/2021

Humpback Serenades Begin in September in Canada

As the autumn foliage grows brighter and the days grow colder, the humpback whales in Canadian waters are slowly beginning…

|News 12/10/2021

Two Beaked Whales Stranded Alive in Chaleur Bay

On Thursday, September 30, the Quebec Marine Mammal Emergency Response Network (QMMERN) receives a report of two whales stranded alive…

|Marine Mammal Emergencies 7/10/2021

The Aquatic Ballet of Dolphins

Thousands of successive leaps over the surface of a sparkling sea. White-sided dolphins were present by the hundreds off Port-Cartier…

|Observation of the Week 7/10/2021

Initiatives for Responsible Whale-Watching

This year, the Eco-Whale Alliance is celebrating its 10th anniversary! Established by sea excursion companies, GREMM, Sépaq and Parks Canada,…

|News 5/10/2021
Béluga du Saint-Laurent

Will whales be packing their bags soon?

In this final week of September, marine mammal sightings are slowly petering out with the end of the tourist season.…

|Observation of the Week 30/9/2021

What is ghost gear?

If you follow whale-related issues at all, you’ve probably already heard of ghost gear. Some of our readers might be…

|Whale Q&A 28/9/2021

Why is Baie Sainte-Marguerite closed to watercraft in summer?

[Updated on September 28th] Once again this year, from June 21 to September 21, the Baie Sainte-Marguerite sector remained off-limits…

|Whale Q&A 28/9/2021

Magical Moments

This week has been tinged with a majestic full moon and temperatures reminiscent of balmy summer evenings. With the onset…

|Observation of the Week 23/9/2021

With the Belugas… An overview of our 2021 projects

By Alexandre Bernier-Graveline How do you imagine the day-to-day life of a member of GREMM’s research team? Hair blowing in…

|Field Notes 22/9/2021

Winds of Change Sweeping Across the St. Lawrence

Across Quebec, colder weather is gradually setting in. Northerly winds are beginning to blow, announcing the arrival of fall and…

|Observation of the Week 16/9/2021

With the mobile team… and a beluga carcass

By Marie-Maude Rondeau This summer, I’m working as a responder for the Quebec Marine Mammal Emergency Response Network (QMMERN). I’m…

|Field Notes 15/9/2021

Sperm Whales!

On September 5, 2021, i.e. the Sunday before Labour Day, the excitement was palpable in Tadoussac. With over 500 visitors…

|Observation of the Week 9/9/2021

WITH THE BELUGAS… OUR FIRST FIELD SEASON ON GRANDE-ÎLE

By Jaclyn Aubin This summer, I was lucky enough to pass two weeks on the Grande-Île de Kamouraska, accompanied by…

|Field Notes 8/9/2021

Cetacean, whale, rorqual… one and the same?

The vocabulary used to talk about our whales can sometimes be confusing. Should we say “marine mammal,” “cetacean,” “whale,” or…

|Whale Q&A 7/9/2021

A Question of Identity

A narwhal that thinks it’s a beluga, unidentifiable humpbacks and minke whales in search of recognition. This week, the whales…

|Observation of the Week 2/9/2021

Decoding Killer Whale Friendships with Drones

Much like humans, killer whales can’t choose their family, but they can at least decide which of their little cousins ​​they want…

|News 1/9/2021

Life in Blue!

This week, we were able to admire the milky blue of a mist-laden sky, the dark bluish-black waters of the…

|Observation of the Week 26/8/2021

With the Large – and Awe Inspiring! – Rorquals

By Mathieu Roy As a research assistant, I have the chance to spend part of my days aboard whale-watching cruises…

|Field Notes 24/8/2021

Eight Things You Might Not Know About Beaked Whales

Are you familiar with beaked whales? If the answer is “no”, you are probably not alone. Even researchers know relatively…

|News 23/8/2021

Siam, Tic Tac Toe, Cédille and co.

This week in the St. Lawrence was rich in sightings both magical and emotional: the return of Siam to the…

|Observation of the Week 19/8/2021

With visitors (and belugas!)… at the Pointe-Noire Interpretation and Observation Centre

Whether on water or on land, the research activities carried out by the Group for Research and Education on Marine Mammals (GREMM)…

|Field Notes 19/8/2021

Southern Resident Killer Whales: J-Pod Missing for 108 Days

Since 2013, the southern resident killer whale population has been exhibiting unusual behaviours that are worrying scientists. Strangely enough, this…

|News 16/8/2021

Whales Aplenty!

“It’s awesome out there! There are humpbacks, fins, minkes... It’s non-stop!” exclaims photographer Renaud Pintiaux. At high tide in the…

|Observation of the Week 13/8/2021

Wounded seal: what to do?

As you pace the shores of the St. Lawrence, you come face to face with a seal. So far, nothing…

|Marine Mammal Emergencies 11/8/2021

Writing a Popular Science Article in 10 Easy Steps

In my after-work hours, I write poetry. Drafting texts on whales is quite new to me. When I joined the…

|Field Notes 9/8/2021

Whales in words and pictures at the CIMM (more!)

You don’t always need to see whales live to fall under their charm. Thanks to the selection of books (all…

|News 9/8/2021

North Atlantic Right Whales: Shrinking Giants!

We’ve known that North Atlantic right whales are less and less abundant, with a population currently estimated to number fewer…

|News 5/8/2021

The Magic of Dawn and Dusk

It was a bountiful week on the St. Lawrence this week, with spectacular marine mammal viewing to locals and visitors…

|Observation of the Week 5/8/2021

Conceiving the Inconceivable (2/2): Templates for Humpback Whale Songs

As early as the 1980s, whale song research pioneer Roger Payne stated that “It is inconceivable that such rapid and…

|News 5/8/2021

With large rorquals… in the rain!

My name is Stéphanie, and I’m one of GREMM’s (Group for Research and Education on Marine Mammals) research assistants for…

|Field Notes 3/8/2021

Here one day, gone the next!

Season after season, tide after tide, the St. Lawrence River is like a beating heart. Marine currents, prey availability, and…

|Observation of the Week 29/7/2021

A Beautiful Story of Collaboration, from the Caribbean to the St. Lawrence

Many of the humpback whales observed in summer in the St. Lawrence spend part of the winter in their breeding…

|Field Notes 28/7/2021

Regional Assessment of St. Lawrence for Better Informed Choices in the Future

In the context of environmental assessments of development projects in the St. Lawrence, the issue of cumulative effects is often…

|News 28/7/2021

Conceiving the Inconceivable (1/2): Metamorphosis of Humpback Whale Songs

Cultural transmission is a widely-accepted hypothesis within the scientific community to explain the movement and transformation of humpback whale songs through space…

|News 27/7/2021

Keeping one’s distance to keep them safe

Whether you’re on the shores of the St. Lawrence or sailing in its waters, there’s always a chance for a…

|Observation of the Week 22/7/2021

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…

|Hot Topics 22/7/2021

Ode to the next generation, the deformed and seafaring nomads

The sun is setting over the beach in Les Bergeronnes and the sky is a palette of pinkish hues. With…

|Observation of the Week 15/7/2021

What do we mean by “fidelity” when we talk about whales?

It is sometimes said that Tic Tac Toe, Capitaine Crochet or Ti-Croche are “faithful” whales, but what does this really…

|Whale Q&A 15/7/2021

First-ever Detailed Portrait of Whale Incidents in Eastern Canada

For the first time ever, data on whale incidents in eastern Canada has been compiled in a single report. Produced…

|News 15/7/2021

Documentary “The Loneliest Whale”: The Importance of Epic Stories to Raise Public Awareness

In the documentary The Loneliest Whale: The Search for 52, a group of scientists sets out to find a whale…

|News 14/7/2021

Beached Fin Whale in Forillon National Park

On June 19, an employee of Forillon National Park discovers a fin whale carcass at the bottom of a cliff…

|Marine Mammal Emergencies 13/7/2021
Béluga du Saint-Laurent

How does a whale carcass differ from an animal at rest?

Upon seeing a whale floating oddly on the water surface, do you decide to immediately jump overboard and save it…

|Whale Q&A 12/7/2021
MN

“It’s Alive Out There!”

Porpoises, seals, sharks, small fish and seabirds... even when big blasts are conspicuous by their absence, the St. Lawrence remains…

|Observation of the Week 9/7/2021

Where do Minke Whales Go in Winter?

In the fall, nearly all baleen whales in the St. Lawrence head for warmer waters in the South, where they…

|Whale Q&A 8/7/2021

Travelling Back in Time with Embryos!

What if we could observe the different stages of evolution that a species has undergone by studying a single individual?…

|News 1/7/2021

Frozen Moments in the Mist

“It’s tough to find a good weather window this week!” rants René Roy, collaborator for the Mingan Island Cetacean Study…

|Observation of the Week 1/7/2021
Béluga du Saint-Laurent

Belugas, Belugas Everywhere: Overview of Out-of-Range Belugas this Spring

From Matane and Bonaventure, Quebec to Prince Edward Island, Nova Scotia and New Brunswick, belugas seem to be everywhere this…

|Marine Mammal Emergencies 29/6/2021

Allocare in Belugas: Still a Mysterious Behaviour

Perched atop a tower in the middle of Baie Sainte-Marguerite, Jaclyn Aubin peered down on belugas for two summers (2017…

|News 28/6/2021

Creatures of Habit

Wednesday morning, just as the team from the Marine Mammal Interpretation Centre (CIMM) begins its workday, time stands still for…

|Observation of the Week 25/6/2021

Migration in Full Swing

Migration is truly underway in the Gulf of St. Lawrence and is in full swing at the tip of the…

|Field Notes 23/6/2021

What are the main causes of mortality in seals?

At the call centre for the Quebec Marine Mammal Emergency Response Network, 80% of reported cases involve seals, whether they…

|Whale Q&A 22/6/2021

Familiar Markings and Tail Slaps in the Water

As I’m driving down Highway 132, my eye is suddenly drawn out to sea. From the dark, rolling water spews…

|Observation of the Week 21/6/2021

Role Play in Porpoises

Rarely studied in Quebec, porpoises were recently the focus of a study on feeding behaviours. Using drones, researchers at the…

|News 14/6/2021

Field Season Debut and the Return of Two Stars: Tic Tac Toe and Ti-Croche!

Back on the water for the 2021 season. It should be a great summer offshore, between Tadoussac and Les Escoumins.…

|Field Notes 14/6/2021

Dinner is served!

“The capelin are rolling like crazy here in the Gaspé,” says one observer. “At least ten humpbacks have been tallied…

|Observation of the Week 10/6/2021

Busy Start to the Season at Marine Mammal Emergencies

As is the case every year, the arrival of warm, sunny days is synonymous with an uptick in the number…

|Marine Mammal Emergencies 9/6/2021

Do Whales Have Hair?

All mammals have hair. At first glance, this characteristic seems completely incompatible with the image we have of whales, animals…

|Whale Q&A 9/6/2021

On the lookout for big blasts

Friday, May 28: It’s barely the crack of dawn on the dunes of Tadoussac when Laetitia from the Tadoussac Bird…

|Observation of the Week 3/6/2021

Leatherback Turtle Carcass in Gaspé

In late April, a local resident discovers a very decomposed carcass on Haldimand Beach in Gaspé. All that remains are…

|Marine Mammal Emergencies 3/6/2021

Season Kicks Off at Marine Mammal Interpretation Centre

Tadoussac’s Marine Mammal Interpretation Centre (CIMM) will open its doors on June 7. After months in the dark, the fifteen…

|News 3/6/2021

Baby Seals and Solitary Belugas

While some observers, with their eyes glued to the water, are thrilled to see the white backs of belugas and…

|Observation of the Week 27/5/2021

Protecting Young Harbour Seals on the Beaches

In May and June, many residents will have the opportunity to observe young seals on the beaches, as it is…

|Marine Mammal Emergencies 27/5/2021

Ocean Week: From Education to Action

From June 1 to 8, 2021, the first Quebec edition of Ocean Week will take place. Orchestrated by the environmental…

|News 27/5/2021

One year later, what can we learn from the humpback whale’s journey from Québec City to Montréal?

It left millions astonished, concerned, dazzled and sensitized, even as the province was under lockdown. The juvenile (2 to 4 years…

|Marine Mammal Emergencies 21/5/2021

Minke whales putting on a show!

While large whales are still mostly absent in the St. Lawrence, minke whales are taking the opportunity to steel the…

|Observation of the Week 21/5/2021

New Tools Available to Maritime Industry for Marine Mammal Protection

The Marine Mammal Observation Network (MMON), the World Wildlife Fund for Nature (WWF) and the St. Lawrence Global Observatory (SLGO)…

|News 21/5/2021

400-Metre Regulatory Distance for Blue Whales Proving Effective

In the presence of watercraft, blue whales reduce both the duration and depth of their dives. A recent simulation-based study…

|News 19/5/2021

Singer Pomme Releases Song for Belugas

To underscore her concern for wildlife conservation and especially for belugas, singer Pomme chose to write a tune about these…

|News 17/5/2021

Right Whale Disentanglement in New Brunswick

On Tuesday, May 11, a major release operation was attempted to come to the aid of Snow Cone, a North…

|News 14/5/2021
Béluga du Saint-Laurent

Belugas’ Age Written in Their Skin

Determining the age of a wild beluga is quite a challenge. So when American researchers announce that they are developing…

|News 13/5/2021
© Steve Baker

How do whales show their emotions?

Whales produce viscous tears (article in French) that serve to protect their eyes from debris. Are these tears also used…

|Whale Q&A 13/5/2021

Amazing Pilot Whales

It is perhaps the least known marine mammal species in the St. Lawrence. And for good reason: sightings are occasional…

|Observation of the Week 12/5/2021

Minke Whale Calf

Side by side, two minke whales swim off Pointe Noire near the town of Baie-Sainte-Catherine. One of them is clearly…

|Observation of the Week 7/5/2021

Recognizing the culture of whales in order to better protect them

If we truly want to protect whales – and other species as well for that matter – biologists must understand…

|News 6/5/2021
Un groupe de marsouins communs

Porpoises, Already!

Porpoises are usually expected in these parts beginning in late June. But this year, at least two harbour porpoises have…

|Observation of the Week 28/4/2021

Resting, Pupping and Moulting: The Importance of Getting Out of the Water for Seals

Even if they are marine mammals, seals have to return to land for some of their activities. Amphibious in nature,…

|Marine Mammal Emergencies 23/4/2021

“Secrets of the Whales”: Diving Deeper after Watching the Series

They love. They mourn. They play. They share. Whales live in complex societies, each with its own culture. This is…

|News 22/4/2021

Under the Bellies of Cetaceans, Under the Fur of Seals

On April 15, a seasonal resident of Pointe-des-Monts takes advantage of the mild weather in April to open his chalet…

|Observation of the Week 21/4/2021

Do whales fart?

Judging by the search engines, the question has created quite a buzz: are whales capable of emitting flatulence, gas... in…

|Whale Q&A 15/4/2021

Blue Whales, Fin Whales, Humpbacks… All at Once!

The island of Newfoundland forms an obstacle between the Atlantic and the Gulf of St. Lawrence. If you’re a whale…

|Observation of the Week 15/4/2021

First Minke Whale in the St. Lawrence and Le Souffleur in the Caribbean

Every spring in late March or early April, the smallest of the rorquals is usually the first of the seasonal…

|Observation of the Week 8/4/2021

United Nations Kicks off Decade of the Oceans

When the United Nations launches a theme, it’s not merely symbolic. From 2021 to 2030, the theme will be the…

|News 6/4/2021

First Beluga Carcass of 2021 Found in Tadoussac

On March 27, a beluga carcass was discovered in Tadoussac by an individual who was out for a stroll. The…

|Marine Mammal Emergencies 1/4/2021

What is it that I see?

One of the challenges of whale watching is how long it takes for but a fraction of a body to…

|Observation of the Week 1/4/2021

Seals Invade the Shorelines

Now that the ice has receded from the St. Lawrence, seals must find new platforms out of the water to…

|Marine Mammal Emergencies 29/3/2021

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…

|Hot Topics 25/3/2021

Humpbacks and Belugas in the Gaspé

On the other end of the line, his voice cracks with excitement. Jean Roy is the owner of Gaspé-based cruise…

|Observation of the Week 25/3/2021

Technological Innovation: Filming the Secrets of Sleeping Humpbacks

When researchers placed a camera on the back of a humpback whale, they probably weren’t expecting an hour-long video during…

|News 24/3/2021

The Thrill of the Season’s First Spouts

In eastern Quebec, the weather is getting milder, migrating birds are beginning to arrive, and icebreakers are freeing the waters…

|Observation of the Week 18/3/2021

Exciting Observation that Sparks Bad Memories

On February 19, a senior officer of a cargo ship passing through the St. Lawrence Estuary photographed blue whales off…

|Field Notes 17/3/2021

Seals Delighted by Late Pack Ice

After a fairly mild winter, the St. Lawrence, parts of which have been ice-covered only for a few weeks even…

|Observation of the Week 11/3/2021

Does the limited amount of ice on the St. Lawrence affect the seal species that spend the winter there?

This year, the decline in ice cover on the St. Lawrence, a trend that began a few decades ago, is…

|Whale Q&A 11/3/2021

Educational Podcasts on Marine Mammals

Itching to set sail in search of marine mammals? Virtual experiences are available thanks to the following list of podcasts…

|News 8/3/2021

What’s happening with North Atlantic right whales in 2021?

With a total population estimated to number fewer than 350 individuals, the North Atlantic right whale is one of the…

|Hot Topics 5/3/2021

Two New Right Whale Mortalities

In the span of just a few weeks, two North Atlantic right whale carcasses were discovered off the coast of…

|News 5/3/2021
Béluga du Saint-Laurent

Belugas Weathering the Storm

Off Les Bergeronnes, a herd of forty to fifty belugas frolic. GREMM Scientific Director and beluga expert Robert Michaud interrupts…

|Observation of the Week 4/3/2021

Harbour Porpoise Succombs to Dolphin Attacks

For the harbour porpoise, human activities are not the only threats it faces. The smallest cetacean in the St. Lawrence…

|Marine Mammal Emergencies 2/3/2021

With the Belugas… Seen and Measured from the Sky!

By Alexandre Bernier-Graveline and Mathieu Marzelière For GREMM’s research team, winter is usually synonymous with compiling, processing and analyzing images…

|Field Notes 25/2/2021

Global Round-up of Whale News

Whale and seal sightings are scarce these days. Over the course of the past week, we’ve received reports of a…

|Observation of the Week 25/2/2021

North Atlantic Right Whale Protection Measures Maintained

The Government of Canada has just announced what measures will be taken this year to protect North Atlantic right whales…

|Hot Topics 18/2/2021

Whale Day: A Few Actions to Lower the Risks to Marine Mammals

Around the globe, many people are concerned by the plight of cetaceans. February 19 is the international day dedicated to…

|News 18/2/2021

A Humpback and a Blue Whale on the North Shore

Two large rorquals sparked a good deal of excitement this week: a humpback whale in the Saguenay-St. Lawrence Marine Park…

|Observation of the Week 18/2/2021

A Woman Committed to Science: Mélissa Tremblay

From tourism to geography, Mélissa Tremblay’s career path ultimately led her to the Group for Research and Education on Marine…

|News 11/2/2021

Valentine’s Day, Cetacean Style

Signs of affection, saying “I love you” and showing it with sweet gestures. Such is the essence of Valentine’s Day.…

|News 11/2/2021

One in Two Fin Whales Already Entangled

The number of fin whales frequenting the Gulf of St. Lawrence that bear entanglement marks and scars is much higher…

|News 11/2/2021
Béluga du Saint-Laurent

Belug-ice

Between the snow squalls, a small group of belugas weaves its way through the ice floes off Les Bergeronnes on…

|Observation of the Week 11/2/2021

Young Grey Seal Found in Magdalen Island Interior

When a young grey seal is found nearly a kilometre inland in the Magdalen Islands, what’s the best course of…

|Marine Mammal Emergencies 5/2/2021

Harp Seal Season

“I’ve never seen so many seals on this side of the peninsula,” exclaims one observer posted in the Gaspé town…

|Observation of the Week 4/2/2021

St. Lawrence Temperatures on the Rise in 2020

The environment of cetaceans in the St. Lawrence Estuary and Gulf is changing. Peter Galbraith, physical oceanographer at Fisheries and…

|News 4/2/2021

With the whales of Hawaii… virtually!

Looking for a getaway? Here’s a chance to do just that. The 15th edition of Whale Tales will be held…

|News 3/2/2021
La balise tient près de la nageoire dorsale.

From Tadoussac to the Bahamas: The Journey of Ti-Croche the Fin Whale

The fin whale Bp955, a.k.a. “Ti-Croche”, has just revealed precious secrets on the migratory movements of its species. On October…

|News 1/2/2021

Are the social relationships of belugas similar to our own?

Belugas live in remarkably complex societies with very diverse relationships, so much so that they might be considered closer to…

|News 29/1/2021

Aramis the Humpback in the Dominican Republic!

In winter, the majority of humpback whales that frequent the St. Lawrence are believed to be hundreds of kilometres away,…

|Observation of the Week 28/1/2021

Following Comprehensive Analysis, Cause of Death of Montréal Humpback Remains Undetermined

Despite having analyzed cross-referenced data on the body condition, behaviour and the carcass of a female humpback that visited Montréal,…

|Marine Mammal Emergencies 27/1/2021

New Population of Blue Whales Discovered Thanks to Unique Song

New observations of blue whales have been made in the waters of the Arabian Sea and in the northwestern corner…

|News 26/1/2021

Novel Measure to Protect Southern Resident Killer Whales

Frequenting British Columbia waters, the southern resident killer whale population is estimated to number approximately 72 individuals. On January 14, the…

|News 26/1/2021

Michel Moisan, GREMM’s Irreplaceable Jack-of-All-Trades

GREMM Lead Technician Michel Moisan has a strong interest in electronics combined with a keen analytical talent to quickly identify…

|News 25/1/2021
Béluga du Saint-Laurent

Where’s the ice?

As one might expect during the winter, whale sightings are becoming increasingly scarce. A few belugas and scattered large spouts…

|Observation of the Week 22/1/2021

North Atlantic Right Whale Births Give Cause for Hope

The breeding season for North Atlantic right whales is in full swing. As of January 22, 2021, 17 healthy calves…

|News 20/1/2021

How does a collision affect a cetacean’s social life?

When discussing the impacts of an accident between a ship and a marine mammal, we generally focus on the physical…

|Whale Q&A 19/1/2021

Cetaceans: Champion Divers

One of the challenges of observing whales is the long dives that the animals take. The lives of whales take…

|Observation of the Week 14/1/2021

Whale Fossils Reveal Their Secrets

In 2020, a fossil dating from the Oligocene was studied in South Carolina by a US research team. The fossil…

|News 7/1/2021

Patience Pays Off

The 2019-2020 holiday season had been particularly busy with sightings, to the point that we published a map of the…

|Observation of the Week 7/1/2021

Five Promising Initiatives to Prevent Collisions with Whales

Imagine that your dining room, your bedroom and your child’s day care were constantly being driven through by high-speed vehicles.…

|News 5/1/2021

When it comes to whales, how can we remain optimistic about the future?

In the realm of conservation and research, long-term efforts to further our knowledge about cetaceans and protect them continue. This…

|Whale Q&A 18/12/2020

Why go to the Caribbean when you have the St. Lawrence?

Observers are simply astonished to report the continued presence of minke whales, humpbacks and fin whales once again this week.…

|Observation of the Week 17/12/2020

Rare Striped Dolphin Discovered in Maliotenam

It is quite unusual for a striped dolphin to be found anywhere in the St. Lawrence, to say the least.…

|Marine Mammal Emergencies 16/12/2020

Cetacean Stranded Alive: Call First

Whether it is a whale, a porpoise or a dolphin that you find stranded on the beach or swimming in…

|Marine Mammal Emergencies 15/12/2020

Bearded Seal and Large Spouts

Its bushy whiskers glisten in the afternoon sunlight. Its little head approaches a rock. For a minute or so, the…

|Observation of the Week 9/12/2020

Generosity For Your Loved Ones… and For Whales, Too!

The 2020 holiday season will come with its share of challenges, just like the periods of adaptation that we all…

|News 4/12/2020

The Quebec Marine Mammal Emergency Response Network Thanks Its 187 Volunteers

What would the Quebec Marine Mammal Emergency Response Network (QMMERN) be without its 187 volunteers? Thanks to the 160 hours…

|Marine Mammal Emergencies 3/12/2020

More Action in the Gaspé

For residents of the Gaspé, whales are still entertaining observers, while elsewhere sightings are becoming increasingly rare. On November 28…

|Observation of the Week 3/12/2020

Voluntarily Lowering One’s Heart Rate to Dive Safely

Because they live in water and must constantly dive to forage or to move, cetaceans have developed a great number…

|News 3/12/2020

Is inbreeding a problem for endangered whales?

There are believed to be around 360 North Atlantic right whales left in the world, and probably fewer than a…

|Whale Q&A 26/11/2020

Foraging Minke Whales

When passing close to shore, minke whales can swim lazily or slice through the water like rockets. These days, observers…

|Observation of the Week 26/11/2020

Dolphin Runs Aground in Magdalen Islands But Returns to Sea

A dolphin found itself in an awkward position on November 21 near Gros-Cap, in the Magdalen Islands. Out for a…

|Marine Mammal Emergencies 26/11/2020

Feasting and Breaching!

Minke and humpback whales are soaring in the air these days, while other members of their species bustle about at…

|Observation of the Week 19/11/2020

Could one be eaten by a whale?

In the animated film Pinocchio, the famous puppet is swallowed by a whale, then lives in its belly for a…

|Whale Q&A 16/11/2020

Do whales produce saliva?

As we know, whales are big eaters and can detect their prey from afar, some species thanks to their sense…

|Whale Q&A 13/11/2020

Kayakers in the mouth of a humpback: lessons learned

The video of two kayakers getting caught in the mouth of a humpback has been viewed around the world. Off…

|News 12/11/2020

Whale concert in Gaspé Bay

Late in the day on November 9, a symphony of spouts resonates off the coast of Cap-aux-Os in the Gaspé…

|Observation of the Week 12/11/2020

Just 356 North Atlantic right whales left!

Until recently, researchers still spoke of a population of some 400 North Atlantic right whales. But new estimates released last…

|News 5/11/2020

The ice is back… And so are the winter seals!

Whether on shore, on the rocks or on ice, seals can appear throughout the Gulf of St. Lawrence or the…

|Marine Mammal Emergencies 5/11/2020

White Spouts in the Chilly Air

If you are a seasoned observer (read: hundreds of hours of observation at a minimum) and weather conditions allow, certain…

|Observation of the Week 5/11/2020

With the Belugas… Season Ends with First Snow

Field notes written in collaboration with Laurence Tremblay A field season full of surprises is coming to an end for…

|Field Notes 5/11/2020
Béluga du Saint-Laurent

Holding on to Beauty

A white beluga swims with a darker-skinned beluga at its side. Most likely a mother and her calf. The two…

|Observation of the Week 29/10/2020
Béluga du Saint-Laurent

Beluga Carcass in Cacouna

A beluga carcass washed up in Cacouna on October 18, 2020. This young male is the fifteenth beluga to be…

|Marine Mammal Emergencies 26/10/2020

What is the impact of offshore drilling on whales?

While three oil drilling projects off the coast of Newfoundland are being fast-tracked by the Canadian government, one faithful reader…

|Whale Q&A 22/10/2020

To go, or not to go?

From Cap de Bon-Désir in Les Bergeronnes, Renaud Pintiaux counts two humpbacks and eight fin whales through his binoculars on…

|Observation of the Week 22/10/2020
Béluga du Saint-Laurent

Public Consultation on Marine Noise: Add Your Two Cents!

Fisheries and Oceans Canada is organizing a public consultation on the impact of noise in Canada’s oceans, and you are…

|News 20/10/2020

Right Whales in the Estuary: Exceptional Response for an Exceptional Presence

Among its many missions, the Quebec Marine Mammal Emergency Response Network (QMMERN) manages cases of marine mammals known as “vagrants”,…

|Marine Mammal Emergencies 15/10/2020

Cruises Finished… Sightings Continue!

In the past few days, the whale-watching cruise season has ended, both on the North Shore and in the Gaspé Peninsula.…

|Observation of the Week 15/10/2020

Can bioluminescence cause the St. Lawrence to glow?

It’s 9 in the evening, and a group of ten or so kayakers venture out onto the St. Lawrence with…

|Whale Q&A 14/10/2020

They’re still here!

As Quebec slowly gets deeper into autumn, foliage reaches its peak and the wind gusts and rain grow more intense,…

|Observation of the Week 9/10/2020

Black: Colour of Hope

This past week in the St. Lawrence Estuary, it was a funny-looking rounded black back with a V-shaped breath that…

|Observation of the Week 1/10/2020

Fin-Blue Hybrids: A New Challenge for Blue Whale Conservation?

The existence of hybrids resulting from the cross between the two largest animals in the world – the fin whale…

|News 28/9/2020

“The Best Season”

Early fall is the best time of year for whales!” says Renaud Pintiaux, who has been watching cetaceans nearly every…

|Observation of the Week 24/9/2020

Swimming in a River of Pollutants: Belugas Believed to be Four Times More Contaminated Than Minke Whales

Just how contaminated are the belugas of the St. Lawrence? This very question became the research topic of Antoine Simond…

|News 21/9/2020

Fall Dolphins

“What? Dolphins? Here?” wonders one reader. For many people, when the talk turns to dolphins, the first thing that comes…

|Observation of the Week 17/9/2020
rorqual bleu

Why is the blue whale so big?

It is bigger than the largest dinosaur. And it weighs roughly 25 times more than the largest living land animal,…

|Whale Q&A 16/9/2020
Béluga du Saint-Laurent

Harbour porpoise or beluga?

Although the beluga is sometimes referred to as a “white porpoise” and has several similarities to the harbour porpoise, the terms “beluga”…

|Marine Mammal Emergencies 14/9/2020

Herds of Whales

One after the other, cavernous blows burst into the air, leaving six white, cylindrical columns that slowly fade into oblivion.…

|Observation of the Week 10/9/2020

With visitors… at the Marine Mammal Interpretation Centre in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic

Whether on water or on land, the research activities carried out by the Group for Research and Education on Marine…

|Field Notes 9/9/2020

Globetrotters and Giant Sleepers

In summertime, are you the type of person who returns year after year to the same campsite or same chalet,…

|Observation of the Week 3/9/2020

With the belugas… photographed from shore

Since 8 o’clock in the morning, GREMM (Group for Research and Education on Marine Mammals) research assistant Mathieu Marzelière has…

|Field Notes 3/9/2020
Béluga du Saint-Laurent

Moratorium Requested in Saguenay to Protect Belugas

More than half of all St. Lawrence belugas and two-thirds of females frequent the Saguenay. This finding was made by…

|Hot Topics 3/9/2020
DL dents

What do St. Lawrence belugas eat?

It may seem surprising, but up until a few months ago, the diet of the St. Lawrence beluga was not…

|News, Whale Q&A 1/9/2020

Right Whales, Ocean Sunfish and Beluwaves

Raging winds over the St. Lawrence have been stirring up waves there since August 25. Landbound observers scan the sea,…

|Observation of the Week 27/8/2020

Breaching Fin Whale and Moments of Grace

There are pictures you only take once in your life. This one comes to us from off the coasts of…

|Observation of the Week 25/8/2020

Seals in Town

In 2020, four different species of seals were observed in the Montréal metropolitan region, hundreds of kilometres from their normal…

|Marine Mammal Emergencies 21/8/2020

Stray Whales: Lost or Just Exploring?

Every so often, a solitary whale makes headlines. It might be a beluga seen off the coast San Diego, California,…

|News 18/8/2020

Troubled Humpback in the Marine Park

Updated to August 25, 2020 Despite active search parties by fishery officers and collaborators, the entangled humpback whale was not…

|Marine Mammal Emergencies 18/8/2020

Sanctuary for Retired Belugas: Another Step Toward a Natural Habitat

The first two residents of a whale sanctuary have now been swimming in Klettsvik Bay since August 8, 2020. Belugas…

|News 18/8/2020

The Fragile Immensity of the Blue Whale

The largest animal on Earth – even bigger than the largest dinosaur – the blue whale impresses with its sheer…

|Observation of the Week 13/8/2020

Quebec Marine Mammal Emergency Response Network Sets Up Mobile Team

In order to be able to respond more quickly and efficiently to emergencies involving marine mammals along the shores of…

|Marine Mammal Emergencies 11/8/2020

A Little Peace and Quiet for Belugas

Once again this summer, Baie Sainte-Marguerite will be closed to navigation from June 21 to September 21. Since 2018, navigation…

|News 10/8/2020

Boaters Urged to Contribute to Research

Like thousands of other pleasure boaters, do you enjoy taking advantage of warm summer days to operate your craft in…

|News 6/8/2020

Narwhal Still Present in the St. Lawrence

On August 4, a speckled back contrasts with the white backs of belugas swimming below the Pointe-Noire land observation platform…

|Observation of the Week 5/8/2020

Research in the St. Lawrence Stalled This Summer

Normally, whale experts up and down the St. Lawrence would have begun their research a long time ago. However, the…

|News 4/8/2020

Expanded Marine Mammal Interpretation Centre Opens!

After months of diligent efforts, a work site put on hold by COVID-19 measures and numerous challenges along the way,…

|News 30/7/2020

Action in the Gaspé and the Estuary

Atlantic white-sided dolphins by the hundreds, fin whales by the dozens, acrobatic humpbacks: observers in the Gaspé have had plenty…

|Observation of the Week 30/7/2020

With the Large Rorquals… New Mothers and a Whale Swimming Backward!

What a pleasure it is to cross paths with large rorquals! This week, we encountered two blue whales, nearly a…

|Field Notes 28/7/2020

Inside the Quebec Marine Mammal Emergency Response Network Call Centre

What happens on the other end of the line while and after a case is reported to the Quebec Marine…

|Marine Mammal Emergencies 28/7/2020

Let’s get loud

Have you ever heard a minke whale feeding at the surface? What a ruckus! An explosive spout is heard and,…

|Observation of the Week 23/7/2020

Are whales diurnal or nocturnal?

Within the animal kingdom, most species adjust their periods of sleep and activity according to a repeated 24-hour cycle called…

|Whale Q&A 22/7/2020
DL juvenile échoué

Reporting Carcasses: What’s the point?

The answer is simple: by reporting a carcass to the Quebec Marine Mammal Emergency Response Network (QMMERN), you are helping…

|Marine Mammal Emergencies 20/7/2020

When they move, they move!

July 9: Off the coast of Matane, a humpback whale takes a dive. All eyes focus on its black-and-white tail;…

|Observation of the Week 16/7/2020

How do whales go months without eating?

When fall returns, the humpbacks of the St. Lawrence head to the Caribbean for the winter. In the space of…

|Whale Q&A 14/7/2020

Some Days You Get Lucky, Some Days You Don’t

The number of observers on the water and on shore is on the upswing. However, some days, despite all their…

|Observation of the Week 9/7/2020
Béluga du Saint-Laurent

With the Belugas… And Start of the 2020 Season

This year, GREMM’s (Group for Research and Education on Marine Mammals) season of field research kicked off on June 15.…

|Field Notes 9/7/2020

400 Right Whales Left… Now What?

How many North Atlantic right whales are left in the world? If the answer today hovers around 400, for researchers,…

|News 6/7/2020

First Right Whale Carcass: Another Calf Struck by a Ship

The first North Atlantic right whale carcass in 2020 was spotted during an aerial survey on June 25, drifting off…

|News 6/7/2020

Belugas in Baie Sainte-Marguerite Bay and return of the dolphins

July 1, Fjord-du-Saguenay National Park. In the dusty light at the end of the day, light breaths appear for a…

|Observation of the Week 2/7/2020

Skeletons Moved to Tadoussac’s Marine Mammal Interpretation Centre

Friday, May 15, 9:30 a.m. Fully dressed and knapsack ready to go, I can hardly wait to kick off this special…

|Field Notes 28/6/2020
Béluga du Saint-Laurent

Belugas and minke whales take centre stage

After a week brimming with observations, local residents have noted a slow-down in whale activity in recent days. Is the…

|Observation of the Week 26/6/2020
Souffle EG Baleine noire

Right Whale Protection Measures: Highs and Lows

Since the start of the year, news concerning protection measures specific to North Atlantic right whales has been like a…

|News 25/6/2020

Young Bearded Seal in Laval

A young bearded seal is observed from June 23 to June 28 at the BoBiNo marina in Laval. This species…

|Marine Mammal Emergencies 25/6/2020
Béluga carcasse

What is the purpose of this tag and chord?

Many people are concerned by the tags and chords they occasionally see attached to a seal or whale carcass. Sometimes,…

|Marine Mammal Emergencies 18/6/2020

Can we rid whales of their pollution?

Pollution can accumulate in whales' bodies and cause them serious health problems. “Can we flush this pollution out of a…

|Whale Q&A 18/6/2020

Whales and Calves

Witnessing a whale accompanied by a baby – also known as a calf – brings observers great joy. But when…

|Observation of the Week 18/6/2020

A Little Stroll Out to Sea

With the return of warmer weather, kayakers and boaters are setting out to go fishing, enjoy the saline air or…

|Observation of the Week 12/6/2020

Various Cases Keeping Quebec Marine Mammal Emergency Response Network Busy

Although all the projectors have been on the stray humpback whale between Québec City and Montréal, this individual is not the…

|Marine Mammal Emergencies 12/6/2020

Dead Humpback Found in Varennes Victim of Ship Strike

On June 10, the team from Université de Montréal’s Faculty of Veterinary Medicine performed a necropsy on the whale, meaning…

|Marine Mammal Emergencies 11/6/2020

Visiting Humpback in Fluvial Estuary (Québec City – Montréal)

The humpback as an ambassador for a greater cause We understand the emotional aspect of the situation. Local residents who…

|Marine Mammal Emergencies 8/6/2020

Breaching Near the Docks, Feeding Near the Beach

It’s not just the humpback whale in Montréal that’s making waves! On June 1, an observer takes advantage of a…

|Observation of the Week 5/6/2020

My dream is to swim with dolphins or whales. What would be the impact of such an activity?

In many places around the globe, ecotourism organizations offer the opportunity to swim with marine mammals. Whether we’re talking about…

|Whale Q&A 3/6/2020
MN à Montreal Juin 2020

Sometimes, Best Way to Help Whale is to Leave It Alone

Many people have been writing to us to express their concern about the humpback whale currently in Montréal. We appreciate…

|Marine Mammal Emergencies 3/6/2020

Things are picking up again!

Five greyish-blue backs contrast with the still snow-capped Chic-Chocs in the Gaspé. A black back near the bridges of Québec…

|Observation of the Week 28/5/2020

Dawn of a Promising Season

A few days ago, I set sail out of Matane with a friend of mine. In the protected waters between…

|Field Notes 27/5/2020

Do different killer whale ecotypes communicate in the same way?

Following our article on the various killer whale ecotypes, one reader asked whether killer whales of different ecotypes are able…

|Whale Q&A 26/5/2020

2019 Beluga Mortality Report

“Mortality figures for 2019 are hardly reassuring,” comments Robert Michaud, scientific director for the Group for Research and Education on…

|Marine Mammal Emergencies 21/5/2020

First Beluga Carcass of 2020 on the Shores of the St. Lawrence

A beluga carcass washed ashore in Matane late in the day on May 15. This is the first case this…

|Marine Mammal Emergencies 21/5/2020

New Record Season in Sight for Humpbacks?

The jagged black-and-white tails of humpback whales are prompting shouts of joy from observers in Les Bergeronnes, Franquelin and Port-Cartier’s Rivière-Pentecôte sector this…

|Observation of the Week 21/5/2020

North Atlantic Right Whales Disturbingly Unfit

It is widely known that the North Atlantic right whale population is struggling, but a study has recently underscored just…

|News 19/5/2020

Putting One’s Pregnancy “On Pause”

In spring, many observers report seeing seals on the shores of the St. Lawrence. The sun is out more and…

|News 15/5/2020
Béluga du Saint-Laurent

A Cumulus in the Water and a Whale in the Sky

Observers occasionally send us some of their whale photos. Depending on the species, GREMM’s team examines these photos in the…

|Observation of the Week 14/5/2020