Magazine
Observing Harp Seals While Waiting for Blue Whales!
This week’s stars of the show were seals! Whether in Gaspé Bay, off the coast of Les Bergeronnes, or near…
A Whirlwind of Observations Amidst the Snowflakes
Between snowfalls, a diverse array of cetaceans has making appearances in these first days of December: harbour porpoises, belugas, minke…
Minke Whales in the November Snow
Minke whales are the stars of the week! Their clearly visible blows rise and form plumes that dissipate in the…
Cold, Quiet Days Setting In
Whale-watching and research boats are being pulled out of the water for the winter, the days are growing shorter, and…
Whale Blue
A blue whale here, a blue whale there: These giants of the sea have been surprising us with their powerful…
Whale Spouts: Bridging Sky and Sea
September brings not only the dazzling colours of the leaves, but also the powerful blasts of numerous large whales and…
Changes in the Diet of St. Lawrence Belugas
“Small fish such as capelin (Mallotus villosus) and sand launce [sic] (Ammodytes spp.) [...] are the main food of Beluga…
What can we learn from research on St. Lawrence seals?
On a beach along the St. Lawrence lies the carcass of a harbour seal. Standing out against the brownish seaweed…
A 2024 Season Marked by Diversity
On both sides of the St. Lawrence, cetaceans and pinnipeds made the telephone lines of the Marine Mammal Emergency Centre…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
Synchronized Fin Whales
July 13, 2021. Several large spouts erupt off the coast of Sept-Îles. One, two, three blasts. Four, then seven, then…
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…
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…
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…
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…
Colourful St. Lawrence
This week in the St. Lawrence, giants of all colours amazed young and old observers alike. From grey seals to…
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…
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…
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…