Novo

Neither wind nor swell prevented our team from setting out today on the river in our research inflatable, the BpJam, in search of whales. In the early afternoon, we came across a large herd of belugas, made up of three distinct groups; one of them numbered at least 50 individuals! A few familiar backs catch our eye, including Novo and female DL0235, with her distinctive string of scars. The herd finally splits in two: some of the belugas head south-east, towards Ile Verte, while the rest seem to be heading south-west. Novo is one of them. The group, made up of white adults and gray juveniles, is particularly active. Pecking, porpoising, investigating our research boat… Amid a swarm of gannets, belugas repeatedly dive and surface. We suspect the presence of a particularly attractive shoal of fish in the depths. As the wind swells the waves, the animals gradually disperse. We finally leave Novo and DL0235, then in the company of a dozen other white belugas.

On board our inflatable research craft, the BpJAM, we head toward Les Escoumins to pursue our beluga photo-ID work. A light breeze blows from the southwest. We encounter our first herd, which comprises an estimated 45 to 55 belugas. They are very active and split into several smaller groups, making them difficult to tally. The animals are also taking long dives, further complicating our photography efforts. Nevertheless, one beluga catches our attention with its trail of scars near its dorsal crest: it’s Novo! Some of the belugas are vocalizing on the surface. New groups join the herd; we’re now observing over 75 individuals! Among the bulls present, we also recognize John A. Macdonald.

We take advantage of the fine weather to visit the downstream sector, where we regularly encounter herds of males. We cross paths with Novo off Île aux Basques. It’s in a herd of around sixty belugas, mostly adult males and a few gray individuals. The herd is divided into about ten groups of six to fifteen belugas. We also recognize the males JP, DL0269 and DL0370.

The animals are scattered and very active. Some belugas poke their heads out at the surface, as if to spy on us, while others spit water. They swim dynamically and directionally, then suddenly stop, dive and swim back to the same spot several times. They’re probably feeding. The encounter with Novo is also rich in sound. We hear all kinds of vocalizations, door squeaks, whistles and more. The beluga certainly deserves its nickname, the canary of the seas!

We’re off the coast of Trois-Pistoles. We make contact with a herd of some thirty individuals, including both adult and young belugas. Novo is identified! In fact, this is only individual that we managed to identify in the course of this contact.

After studying the herd for two hours, we leave. En route, we encounter a harbour seal, a few minke whales… and a horse carcass! Working at sea brings new adventures and surprising discoveries every day!