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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

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

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
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

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

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
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

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

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

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
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

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
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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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
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

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

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

“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

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

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

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
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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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
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

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

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

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
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

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
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

Six Species of Whales Reported

During the summer months, thirteen species of whales feed in the rich waters of the St. Lawrence. Some species are…

|Observation of the Week 7/5/2020

No Whaling in Iceland This Year

In Iceland, the two main commercial whaling companies have announced in the past few days that they will not be…

|News 30/4/2020

You want whales?, here you go!

For cetacean enthusiasts, April is synonymous with the return of these great migrants. Increasing numbers of them are coming to…

|Observation of the Week 30/4/2020

White Backs, Black Backs, Grey Backs and a Hunchback!

From Haute-Côte-Nord to Charlevoix, belugas continue to delight observers. On April 24, a herd of about seven was spotted swimming…

|Observation of the Week 30/4/2020
Béluga du Saint-Laurent

An Extra Boost from the Tide

April 15: “I’m watching a herd of belugas entering the Saguenay right now,” remarks Renaud Pintiaux on the other end…

|Observation of the Week 16/4/2020
Béluga du Saint-Laurent

One, two, seven… twelve belugas!

In the course of our round of calls, most of our observers say they are delighted to be seeing migrating…

|Observation of the Week 14/4/2020
petit rorqual

COVID-19: Whales in Your Living Room – Part II!

Whether you’re on the North Shore or in the Gaspé Peninsula, when you live near the St. Lawrence, it’s easy…

|News 8/4/2020

Large Rorquals in Cap-des-Rosiers

"Finally, our first observation of 2020!” writes in an observer residing in Cap-des-Rosiers in the Gaspé Peninsula. On March 29, a…

|Observation of the Week 2/4/2020

COVID-19: Whales in Your Living Room

Whether you’re on the North Shore or in the Gaspé Peninsula, when you live near the St. Lawrence, it’s easy…

|News 2/4/2020

First Report of a Minke Whale in 2020

We received the first report for 2020 of a minke whale in the St. Lawrence! It was an individual out…

|Observation of the Week 26/3/2020

Two Blue Whales Amidst the Ice Floes

The engines of the Canadian Coast Guard icebreaker CCGS Amundsen vibrate beneath the feet of researchers hailing from a dozen…

|Observation of the Week 12/3/2020

Antibiotic Treatments for Whales: A Challenge

Across Canada and the US in early January, North Atlantic right whale experts, marine mammal veterinarians and whale rescue specialists…

|News 11/3/2020

North Atlantic Right Whales: New and Continuing Measures in 2020

Speed limits reduced to 10 knots in certain areas, closure of fishing zones, increased surveillance: the Government of Canada has…

|Hot Topics 28/2/2020
Béluga du Saint-LaurentBéluga du Saint-Laurent

Belugas: Whales Suited for Winter

When you’re passionate about whales, you really are. For the past fifteen years, Renaud Pintiaux has been a volunteer, employee,…

|Observation of the Week 20/2/2020

Two Humpbacks off Pointe-des-Monts

Pointe-des-Monts, February 8: You don’t need a thermometer to know the air is frigid: sea smoke hangs over the St.…

|Observation of the Week 13/2/2020

GNL Québec Promises Fund to Curb Underwater Noise Pollution

In a press release, GNL Québec has undertaken to set up a $5M fund to support projects reducing the underwater…

|News 13/2/2020

Born in Warm Waters

Before heading south to more temperate climates, let’s take a brief look at sightings here in the St. Lawrence. Posted…

|Observation of the Week 7/2/2020

Calving Humpback Caught on Film for First Time

February 3, off the coast of Maui, Hawaii: The captain of a whale-watching cruise observes three humpback whales. According to…

|News 6/2/2020

Born on the Ice

Humpback whales travel to warm Caribbean waters to give birth, while North Atlantic right whales calve in the waters of…

|Observation of the Week 31/1/2020

Ice: Marine Mammals’ Friend… and Foe

"The ice is starting to form": this observation is being made almost everywhere along the St. Lawrence of late. Its…

|Observation of the Week 16/1/2020

Surprising Numbers of Whales as 2020 Kicks Off

Blues, fins, humpbacks. Minke whales. Belugas. Even harbour porpoises! Not to mention thousands of harp seals and harbour seals. The…

|Observation of the Week 8/1/2020

A Few Seals and Minke Whales

With the onset of winter, observations are becoming fewer and farther between. Most cetaceans have migrated to the Caribbean or…

|Observation of the Week 16/12/2019

World Marine Mammal Conference in Barcelona: Spotlight on the St. Lawrence!

Some 2,500 biologists, veterinarians, conservationists and wildlife managers from 95 countries are gearing up to gather in Barcelona for the…

|News 9/12/2019

In Search of the Sperm Whale

November 27: In GREMM’s (Group for Research and Education on Marine Mammals) offices in Tadoussac, staff members are busy working…

|Observation of the Week 4/12/2019

Dozens of Humpbacks and Thousands Of Seals Linger On

With the short days of November and the appearance of the first ice, observers on the water are growing more…

|Observation of the Week 2/12/2019

Leaving the Estuary

November 20, Cap de Bon-Désir in Les Bergeronnes: our collaborator Renaud Pintiaux settles down to take a few pictures of…

|Observation of the Week 21/11/2019

Multiple Species in a Single Glance

For his last outing of the season, a recreational fisherman sets out in La Tabatière, in Quebec’s Basse-Côte-Nord region. While his…

|Observation of the Week 31/10/2019

En Route to Winter Quarters

As the number of eyes scanning the water decreases, the number of sightings reported is also on the decline. Are…

|Observation of the Week 24/10/2019

The Whale and the Raven : a documentary about the orcas and humpback whales of British Columbia

A new documentary was just released by the National Film Board of Canada. Here is the synopsis. «On the otherwise…

|News 18/10/2019

Pilot Whales?

Two observers, one in Les Escoumins (north shore), the other in Baie-des-Sables (south shore), asked the following question this week:…

|Observation of the Week 17/10/2019

Activist Greta Thunberg Meets with GREMM

On September 30, leading climate activist Greta Thunberg accompanied the scientific research team of the Group for Research and Education…

|News 4/10/2019

Autumn is for Humpbacks

Seven black-and-white tails rise into the air one after the other before disappearing into the dark river. “It’s a ballet…

|Observation of the Week 3/10/2019

Minke Whales and Their Flair

Perhaps because they prefer coastal habitats, minke whales are one of the most frequently observed cetacean species in the St.…

|Observation of the Week 25/9/2019

Right Whale Carcass Found in US Identified As Snake Eyes

The North Atlantic right whale carcass found off Long Island, New York on September 16 was identified by the New…

|News 20/9/2019

Rumba!

A three-way ballet… a race in which body touches body. All around the massive but elegant blue whales, water splashes,…

|Observation of the Week 19/9/2019

Whales in the Storm

The sighting map appears a little sparse this week. Have all the whales left? Not necessarily. Weather conditions prevented many…

|Observation of the Week 13/9/2019

“Losing the Saguenay acoustic refuge means risking irreparable impacts to belugas”

The Group for Research and Education on Marine Mammals (GREMM) is publishing a video to answer the many questions that…

|News 10/9/2019

Humpback Entangled off Forillon Park

Late in the day on August 25, 2019, the Quebec Marine Mammal Emergency Response Network receives a report for a…

|Marine Mammal Emergencies 9/9/2019

Humpbacks Aplenty and Blue Whale Tails!

A long-time observer and former resident of Tadoussac sets out on a whale-watching cruise on September 1. The skyscape reflects…

|Observation of the Week 5/9/2019

Video of Beluga Playing with a Gull

A video of a beluga taking a gull in its mouth, following it around and even trying to taunt it…

|News 5/9/2019

Summer not quite over for the whales

August 28: A bright-eyed naturalist returns to the wharf in Percé. No sooner does the boat leave the docks when…

|Observation of the Week 29/8/2019

Live Stranded Sowerby’s Beaked Whale Near Île Verte

On the afternoon of August 25, a beaked whale is observed dangerously close to the shores of Île Verte. The…

|Marine Mammal Emergencies 27/8/2019
Deux rorquals à bosse

Thirteen Humpback Whales and Their Little Ones

We often talk about endangered species, but we rarely emphasize how well other species are doing. And humpback whale populations…

|Observation of the Week 21/8/2019

Out of the Ordinary

August 7: At the lookout in Baie Sainte-Marguerite in the Saguenay Fjord National Park, a naturalist scans the bay for…

|Observation of the Week 16/8/2019

Voice Your Opinion of the “Impact of Noise on the Beluga Whale at Risk in the St. Lawrence Estuary” Action Plan

The Department of Fisheries and Oceans Canada, together with numerous collaborators, has produced an action plan entitled “Impact of noise…

|News 13/8/2019

Cetacean Acrobats

The pointed head and long, slender body rise to the sky like a rocket before the animal lands heavily on…

|Observation of the Week 9/8/2019
Béluga du Saint-Laurent

Twelfth Beluga Carcass This Year Found on the Banks of the St. Lawrence

A beluga carcass washed up in the Gaspé town of Les Méchins on August 6. The newborn beluga still had…

|Marine Mammal Emergencies 7/8/2019

PhD Project: Sources of Emerging Organic Contaminants to the Habitat of Endangered St. Lawrence Estuary Beluga

Project St. Lawrence Estuary (SLE) Beluga has been designated as an endangered species since 2014 by the Committee on the…

|News 6/8/2019

Right Whales: Lifting of Speed Restrictions and Stranding of Fourth Carcass

Aerial surveillance over the past few weeks has not identified any North Atlantic right whales in dynamic speed limit corridors.…

|News 6/8/2019

New PhD project : Environmental Contaminants, Body Condition and Photogrammetry of St. Lawrence Estuary Belugas

Project Title Environmental Contaminants, Body Condition and Photogrammetry of St. Lawrence Estuary Belugas Project Synopsis The St. Lawrence Estuary (SLE)…

|News 29/7/2019

Tiny Calf Will Become Giant

Calves spend their time learning to swim, hunt and move with agility by imitating their mother and other adults. Within…

|Observation of the Week 25/7/2019

PhD Scholarship Opportunity at UQO on belugas and recreational boating

PHD SCHOLARSHIP OPPORTUNITY Agent-based modelling of recreational boating in the St. Lawrence Estuary and the Saguenay River (Québec, Canada) to…

|News 23/7/2019

Seventh and Eighth Right Whale Carcasses Found

Two new cases of dead right whales have been confirmed today by Fisheries and Oceans Canada. According to the ministry,…

|News 22/7/2019

First Dolphins of the Year and a Great-Grandmother

Measuring 2 to 2.7 metres long, their toned bodies are black, white, grey and yellowish-beige. Atlantic white-sided dolphins! Fifteen or…

|Observation of the Week 11/7/2019

Tougher Prevention Measures to Protect North Atlantic Right Whales

Speed ​​restrictions applied to a larger fleet, increased aerial surveillance, expanded speed ​​limit area... The Government of Canada is announcing…

|News 11/7/2019

Female beluga DL0584 dies while giving birth

An eighth beluga carcass washed up on the banks of the St. Lawrence River on July 4. The individual has…

|Marine Mammal Emergencies 9/7/2019

Fins on the Horizon!

Although whales were scarce in the Bonaventure Island sector last July, this year they have been plentiful. “We're spoiled,” says…

|Observation of the Week 5/7/2019

Right whales: disentanglement efforts progress

Right whales EG4423 and EG4440 are now swimming a little lighter since shedding some of the rope that had been…

|News 5/7/2019

Four Necropsies, Three Collisions

Preliminary results of the fourth North Atlantic right whale necropsy have just been announced by Fisheries and Oceans Canada. The…

|News 3/7/2019

Large Rorquals from the North Shore to the Gaspé Peninsula

In calm weather, the spouts of large rorquals can be heard hundreds of metres away, but above all, they can…

|Observation of the Week 2/7/2019

Six Right Whales Found Dead in Gulf of St. Lawrence

Fisheries and Oceans Canada confirms that two new North Atlantic right whale carcasses have been found, one on the coast…

|News 2/7/2019

Two New Carcasses and Second Right Whale Necropsy for 2019

The Government of Canada announced in a press release that it had discovered two new carcasses offshore, near the Acadian…

|Marine Mammal Emergencies, News 26/6/2019

Entangled Minke Whale in Saguenay-St. Lawrence Marine Park

A minke whale ensnared in fishing rope was reported to the  Quebec Marine Mammal Emergency Response Network (QMMERN) by passengers of…

|Marine Mammal Emergencies 21/6/2019

Tic Tac Toe, Snowball et Leprechaun

Le 16 juin en après-midi, la mer est lisse et silencieuse devant les Grandes-Bergeronnes. Soudain, deux larges dos noirs apparaissent.…

|Observation of the Week 20/6/2019

Whale-watching Cruises Banned from Parts of Marine Park

Whale-watching cruises will no longer be able to ply the waters of certain sectors of the Saguenay–St. Lawrence Marine Park.…

|News 11/6/2019

Tiny Fish Fall Prey to Teeth and Baleen

Nearshore reports of “large whales” picked up in intensity this week. In Godbout, in Quebec’s Côte-Nord region, humpback whales venture…

|Observation of the Week 7/6/2019

The First Right Whale Necropsy of 2019

The North Atlantic right whale identified as Wolverine is currently analyzed on Miscou Island, New Brunswick. The necropsy requires the…

|News 5/6/2019

Right Whale Carcass Found Adrift in Gulf of St. Lawrence

A first North Atlantic right whale carcass has been discovered this year. North Atlantic right whales are considered endangered and…

|News 5/6/2019

Return of a Star?

The hastily composed email betrays the excitement of its sender. The observer just photographed a fin whale with a particularly…

|Observation of the Week 27/5/2019

Beluga Belatedly Heads Back to Rejoin its Pod!

Since April 23, a beluga that could be described as a “vagrant” has been observed around the Gaspé Peninsula. The…

|Marine Mammal Emergencies 27/5/2019

Industrial port developments on the Saguenay: a beluga’s perspective

Four industrial port development projects on the banks of the Saguenay River are in their final stages or have completed…

|Hot Topics 24/5/2019

A Play Dedicated to Whale Researcher and Rescuer Jon Lien

Between Breaths highlights the unusual life story of Jon Lien (1939-2010), a pioneer of whale research in Canada. It is…

|News 9/5/2019
Un petit rorqual a la moitié du corps sorti de l'eau.

Minke Whales Everywhere

From the Gaspé to the Côte-Nord, minke whales have been appearing in the waves in recent days. In the St.…

|Observation of the Week 8/5/2019

Sanctuary for Retired Belugas: A World First

Two belugas currently living in an aquarium in Shanghai, China, are getting ready to fly to Iceland. The two whales…

|News 30/4/2019

New Species for the Season

In Sept-Îles, in Quebec’s Côte-Nord region, a long-time observer sets sails on a friend's boat for the first time this season.…

|Observation of the Week 25/4/2019

Grab your binoculars and let’s go!

Tuque, mittens, binoculars, one field guide for birds and another for whales: a couple is gearing up for a road…

|Observation of the Week 18/4/2019

Agendas for Belugas

What could be better than an agenda featuring whales to place them at the heart of our day-to-day concerns? This…

|News 15/4/2019

Return of the Belugas

March 24: “They’re back!” says our collaborator Renaud Pintiaux. From a coastal road in Port-au-Saumon, not far from Saint-Siméon, he…

|Observation of the Week 27/3/2019

“First of the Year”

“My first whale for 2019!” exclaims a whale-watching outfitter in the Gaspé Peninsula. His first observation was made through his…

|Observation of the Week 27/3/2019

Space to breath

On March 6, while walking on the beach near the Cap-des-Rosiers lighthouse, an observer noted the presence of harbour seals…

|Observation of the Week 15/3/2019
Béluga du Saint-Laurent

Contaminated belugas : Major project launched to understand contamination and its effects

To protect an endangered species, one needs to understand the factors inhibiting its recovery. In the case of the St.…

|News 12/3/2019

Prince Albert II of Monaco foundation (Canada) offers $150,000 for St.Lawrence beluga research

Montréal, March 5, 2019: In the presence of His Serene Highness Albert II, Sovereign Prince of Monaco and several directors…

|News 12/3/2019

Marine mammals on the ice and humpbacks in the Caribbean

Off the Gaspé Peninsula town of Newport, 50 or so seals bask on the ice. To observe them, it’s best to…

|Observation of the Week 21/2/2019

Humpback Entangled in 2017 Spotted Alive!

The resilience of whales never ceases to amaze us! By analyzing photos taken in the summer of 2018, the Mingan…

|Marine Mammal Emergencies 19/2/2019

Godbout is where the action is!

A tiny village of just over 300 inhabitants, Godbout is located in the Côte-Nord (North Shore) region between Baie-Comeau and…

|Observation of the Week 15/2/2019

February Blues

It was a perfect day for whale-watching. Light winds, calm sea, light conditions that were neither blinding nor too dim.…

|Observation of the Week 8/2/2019

Right whales : similar measures for 2019

The North Atlantic right whale protection measures for 2019 have been announced, and will include measures better suited to the…

|News 7/2/2019

Climate bill to give whales a little boost?

A few days before Christmas, the Pact for Transition offered a “climate anti-deficit” bill to Quebec Premier François Legault. This…

|News 6/2/2019

Pinnipeds Galore!

A herd of harp seals is enjoying a break in the ice cover off the docks in Les Escoumins. The…

|Observation of the Week 1/2/2019

Like a tornado of snow

The list of observations this week reads more like a weather report: sea smoke, ice floes, gusts, snow squalls, howling…

|Observation of the Week 24/1/2019

A Rare Blue Whale

January 12: After weeks of seeing nothing but drifting ice and seals on the move, a large spout draws the…

|Observation of the Week 17/1/2019

A New Year of Observations Begins

As 2018 was winding down, one observer in Bonaventure in the Gaspé Peninsula observes three tall puffs, all appearing at…

|Observation of the Week 10/1/2019

A Few Final Breaths to Say Goodbye

Cap-d’Espoir, December 15. The black backs of two humpback whales emerge from the dark water. Their rounded spouts and the…

|Observation of the Week 20/12/2018

Balloon-shaped spouts

December 8: Gaspé Bay is glowing in the sun. A balloon-shaped spout erupts from the water surface, followed by a…

|Observation of the Week 13/12/2018

Right whales : the situation in 2018

2017 was a grim year for the North Atlantic right whales. The deaths of 18 right whales created a shock wave…

|News 12/12/2018

The Nepisiguit River beluga… off Prince Edward Island

Professional scuba diving students were surprised to be joined by a beluga whale during a dive in Summerside Harbour last…

|Marine Mammal Emergencies 12/12/2018

Whales and Seals Amid the Ice Floes

"They're breaching!" exclaims an innkeeper from Forillon, in the Gaspé Peninsula. It's December 3 and the week is off to…

|Observation of the Week 6/12/2018

North Atlantic right whales : strong presence continues in 2018

The southeastern Gulf of St. Lawrence was home to nearly half of the North Atlantic right whale population this summer,…

|News 4/12/2018

When The Waves Calm Down

The extreme weather of the past few days has not been very conducive to marine observations. In addition to repeated…

|Observation of the Week 29/11/2018

Three Big Blues

“Three big blues!” exclaims an observer. He observes the three majestic animals Sunday morning 3 or 4 nautical miles south…

|Observation of the Week 22/11/2018

A Sperm Whale, Again!

We all have our favourite species, including our favourite whales. For our collaborator Renaud Pintiaux, “The sperm whale is a…

|Observation of the Week 31/10/2018
Béluga carcasse

Worrying St. Lawrence beluga mortality trend continues in 2018

The tragic plight of the St. Lawrence beluga population continues. Once again this year, researchers are highly concerned about the…

|Marine Mammal Emergencies 26/10/2018

Fewer Eyes on the Water, but Whales Remain

“Can killer whales be seen in Gaspé Bay?” asks a kayaker out at sea with a group near Grande-Grave, off…

|Observation of the Week 25/10/2018
Béluga du Saint-Laurent

Red Foliage and Colourful Backs

The cruise ship Narval III of the whale-watching company Croisières Baie de Gaspé docked for the last time on October 11, and…

|Observation of the Week 12/10/2018

Chills and Thrills : Autumn Sightings

On the wharf used by the Mingan Island Cetacean Study (MICS) in Longue-Pointe-de-Mingan, a thin coat of frost glistens. “Time to migrate south!”…

|Observation of the Week 9/10/2018

Protecting species at risk : “Ottawa not doing enough“, says environment commissioner

Delays in the development of action plans, lack of resources, lack of support to partner organizations, neglect that has likely…

|News 4/10/2018
Béluga du Saint-Laurent

With the belugas… at full throttle!

Clear blue sky, low winds, calm sea… The perfect conditions for a productive day of photo-identification and photogrammetry. All we…

|Field Notes 3/10/2018

A Forest of Spouts

On September 23, no sooner does the cruise begin when the captain yells out “Breach!” Off Les Bergeronnes, the 15-metre long…

|Observation of the Week 26/9/2018

Full breach!

Thirty-three! Thirty-three times, a minke whales breached before a dumbstruck observer standing on the pink granite of Pointe Rouge overlooking Tadoussac…

|Observation of the Week 20/9/2018

Whale- “Listening”

With a hesitation in her step, she walks down the ramp to the boat launch in the Tadoussac marina, where a Zodiac…

|Observation of the Week 18/9/2018

Wave of solidarity for belugas

The summer of 2018 has seen a succession of announcements for investments and new projects designed to better understand and…

|News 11/9/2018

September Blues

Just before students head back to school and knitting season returns, the long Labour Day weekend has allowed thousands of…

|Observation of the Week 7/9/2018
trafic maritime

Port developments on the Saguenay: Fisheries and Oceans Canada experts sceptical

Two marine terminal development projects could triple maritime traffic in the Saguenay and lead to a 10% increase in traffic…

|News 31/8/2018

Gannets Galore!

With her tuque snug over her ears, one observer marvels at three gannets as they dive in unison off the…

|Observation of the Week 29/8/2018

Sperm Whale in Sight!

"It's been a dream season," says a captain/naturalist as he shares a video of a sperm whale he shot off…

|Observation of the Week 23/8/2018

Great Week for Observations

“In 51 years of watching whales, I’ve never seen that!” At the end of the line, the voice of our…

|Observation of the Week 16/8/2018

A head, a Tail, a Body Out of the Water!

July 31: A pointed snout pierces the surface and rises like a skyscraper out of the waters off Les Bergeronnes.…

|Observation of the Week 9/8/2018

Little Bundles of Life

They're about one-third the size of an adult and still stick close to their mothers' sides. Calves of several species…

|Observation of the Week 2/8/2018

The Nepisiguit beluga is alive and well

Great news! The beluga that was trapped in the Nepisiguit River in New Brunswick and relocated to the St. Lawrence…

|News 20/7/2018

Identifying Humpbacks X and Zip

July 7: Having made the trek from Newcastle, England to watch whales, an observer sets up post on the rocks…

|Observation of the Week 12/7/2018

100-metre buffer established for observing whales in Canada

Marine mammal conservationists have reason to celebrate: From now on, it will be forbidden to approach within 100 metres of…

|News 11/7/2018

Fishing Season Ends with No Reported Incidents Involving Right Whales

Over the next few days, the lobster and snow crab seasons will end in most parts of the Gulf of…

|News 10/7/2018

Where There Is Prey, There Are Whales!

"Unbelievable! It's hot even out on the water," exclaims a GREMM volunteer research assistant participating in the photo-ID program for…

|Observation of the Week 5/7/2018

We Wouldn’t Want to Be a Capelin…

Does this photo show five whales or six? Their gaping mouths are about to clamp down on masses of quivering…

|Observation of the Week 28/6/2018
Béluga du Saint-Laurent

A new measure for belugas in the marine park

Calving season for St. Lawrence belugas is right around the corner, and to provide these animals with an area of…

|News 21/6/2018

Young live seal on the river banks: do not disturb!

If you see a young seal on the beach, let it rest. The months of May and June are pupping…

|Marine Mammal Emergencies 4/6/2018

27 right whale sightings later, a normal fishing season

Five aircraft conducting aerial surveillance have spotted up to 27 right whales this season, which has resulted in several fishing…

|News 31/5/2018

First right whale observed in Canadian waters

Off the coast of Cape Breton, Nova Scotia, the first right whale of the season was observed during aerial surveillance…

|News 15/5/2018

Would it be possible to fit more whales with location transmitters in order to prevent collisions?

If ships knew exactly where the whales were, could we reduce the number of collisions? A number of you have…

|Whale Q&A 14/5/2018

Record Number of Humpbacks Identified in 2017

The Mingan Island Cetacean Study (MICS) was able to identify 121 humpback whales in 2017, a record number! Of these, 98…

|News 2/5/2018

Right whales: measures to prevent entanglements and collisions

Although changes made to the fishing season are of concern to many workers, be they fishermen or processing plant employees,…

|News 24/4/2018

Right whales: an entangled whale named Kleenex

Researchers call her Kleenex. Known since 1977, this right whale has been swimming with a rope wrapped around her head…

|News 20/4/2018

Earth Day 2018: We all take a bit of the blame

Earth Day will be celebrated around the world on April 22. In Quebec, the tone is more severe than in…

|News 17/4/2018

New fishery management measures in effort tu curb right whale mortality

Four new management measures for the snow crab fishery have been announced by Fisheries and Oceans Canada Minister Dominic LeBlanc…

|News 23/1/2018

White Spouts in a White Landscape

On the afternoon of January 8, an observer is driving down the "Whale Route" toward Sept-Îles. Upon her arrival at…

|Observation of the Week 11/1/2018
Béluga du Saint-Laurent

Studying reproduction like two matching pieces of a puzzle

Do female dolphins have any control over which male they reproduce with? The question seems straightforward, but the method of…

|News 27/11/2017

Right whales still present in gulf

At least 15 right whale sightings were made in the Gulf of St. Lawrence during the week of November 17,…

|News 21/11/2017
Béluga du Saint-Laurent

Stranded newborn beluga in Alaska still in intensive care

Since being found stranded alive on September 30, the newborn beluga of the Cook Inlet population is still in intensive…

|Marine Mammal Emergencies 30/10/2017

#SMM2017 Day 5: Cry of the Heart

That's it, the marathon of presentations is over! The 22nd Biennial Conference on the Biology of Marine Mammals, held in…

|News 30/10/2017

#SMM2017 Day 4: Piggybacking on Others’ Ideas

The onslaught continues: lectures, flash presentations, videos, plenaries, posters and discussions with colleagues hailing from every continent. A biennial is…

|News 27/10/2017

#SMM2017 Day 3: Intriguing New Technologies

Day 3 of the 22nd Biennial Conference on the Biology of Marine Mammals. Some of the faces amongst the thousands…

|News 26/10/2017

#SMM2017 Day 2: New Technologies, Coloured Ropes and Information-packed Brains

Fifteen-minute presentations, four-minute flash communications and five-minute science videos: a total of 141 presentations were delivered at Scotiabank Centre in…

|News 24/10/2017

#SMM2017 Day 1: Focus on Conservation

Day 1 of the 22nd Biennial Conference on the Biology of Marine Mammals in Halifax. Already, our heads are filled…

|News 23/10/2017

Whales Online at the 22nd Biennial Conference on the Biology of Marine Mammals

From October 22-27, the Whales Online team will be covering the 22nd Biennial Conference on the Biology of Marine Mammals…

|News 19/10/2017

Rescue in Progress: Stranded Newborn Beluga in Alaska

It measures just 162 cm and weighs a mere 64.5 kg. A newborn beluga just two to four weeks old was found…

|Marine Mammal Emergencies 4/10/2017

Raising Funds to Support Belugas and Killer Whales

From coast to coast, Simons is supporting research on St. Lawrence belugas and Pacific killer whales by symbolically adopting Artsea…

|News 22/9/2017

Let’s Talk Whales! Online consultation on endangered whales

With Let’s Talk Whales, the Government of Canada is launching a comprehensive online public consultation on protective measures to implement…

|News 8/8/2017

St. Lawrence Week: Humpback Whale

As part of St. Lawrence Week, Whales Online offers a glimpse of species that have a special meaning for each…

|News 10/6/2017

St. Lawrence Week: A Tribute to the Whales

During the St. Lawrence Week, from June 3 to June 11 2017, Whales Online features every day a different whale…

|News 9/6/2017

St. Lawrence Week: Minke Whale

  As part of St. Lawrence Week, Whales Online offers a glimpse of species that have a special meaning for…

|News 6/6/2017

What was learned from the exceptional red tide of August 2008?

In an interview with Whales Online, phytoplankton ecology researcher Michel Starr from Fisheries and Oceans Canada answers the following question:…

|Whale Q&A 2/6/2017
petit rorqual

The Capelin are Rolling!

They're back! Whether it's in Baie-Comeau on the North Shore, or in Chandler in the Gaspé Peninsula, the capelin are…

|Observation of the Week 1/6/2017

What is a “water column”?

In a number of Whales Online articles, the term "water column" is used. What does this refer to? From the…

|Whale Q&A 18/5/2017

Quantifying the Number of Belugas in the St. Lawrence

Article by Robert Michaud Fisheries and Oceans Canada recently published the results of the most recent St. Lawrence beluga census,…

|News 12/5/2017

A New Face

Dear readers, The most observant amongst you may have noticed a new name beneath some of our articles in the…

|Field Notes 11/5/2017

Studying Whale Breath: New Discoveries and Techniques

A Canadian-US research team has undertaken a study on the fungi and bacteria found in the breath of southern resident…

|News 21/4/2017

White, Black, Blue, Gray Animals…

Belugas, blue whales, humpbacks, minke whales, three species of seals ... the variety of marine mammals seen in the past…

|Observation of the Week 19/4/2017

Earth Day 2017: Three Gestures for the Whales

For the occasion of Earth Day (April 22), Whales Online proposes three simple actions to help preserve the ecosystems that…

|News 18/4/2017

Where does the Estuary end and the Gulf begin? And what would make a species better adapted to the Gulf than to the Estuary?

When we speak of the St. Lawrence, we often hear the terms “Estuary” and “Gulf”. What do they mean? Where…

|Whale Q&A 6/4/2017
Béluga du Saint-Laurent

Amendment to the marine activities in the Saguenay-St.Lawrence park regulations: greater protection for whales

Reduced speed for all boats in certain areas, prohibition of certain activities, clarification of the definition of disturbance to marine…

|News 4/4/2017

Can a whale be identified by its behaviour?

Many researchers identify whales using photo-identification, thus by their physical appearance. But can they identify individuals based on their behaviour?…

|Whale Q&A 31/3/2017

Call of the Baby Beluga aired on National Geographic

Interview with Michael Parfit and Suzanne Chisholm, director and producer National Geographic's prestigious TV channel Nat Geo Wild will broadcast…

|News 22/3/2017

Harbour Porpoise Shows Fastest Developing Hearing Amongst Mammals

Thirty hours: that’s all it takes for harbour porpoises to develop their hearing to the same level as adults. In…

|News 16/3/2017

Vancouver Aquarium: end of captivity for cetaceans

On March 9, after two evenings of public hearings, the Vancouver Parks Commission decided: there will be no more cetaceans…

|News 13/3/2017

Why is plastic sometimes found in the stomachs of whales?

How is it that 30 plastic bags find their way into the stomach of a cetacean? The issue was raised…

|Whale Q&A 10/3/2017