Ocean Week: From Education to Action

Whales in the spotlight

Two master classes led by whale experts will be of particular interest for marine mammal enthusiasts.

In recent years, North Atlantic right whales have often made headlines as they are particularly vulnerable to collisions with boats or entanglement in fishing gear. If these events are more frequent than before, it is because this species is increasingly present in the Gulf of St. Lawrence, where boat and vessel traffic is heavier than it is in the Bay of Fundy, another area used by right whales. Why are they here? Scientist Lyne Morissette will address this question in a virtual conference on June 1 at 5:00 p.m. Visit Facebook to learn more about the links between climate change and right whale migration.

Another cetacean of particular concern, the St. Lawrence beluga, will be the focus of a second master class with Robert Michaud, scientific director for the Group for Research and Education on Marine Mammals (GREMM). This biologist will share the latest scientific knowledge on the social lives of belugas and how they communicate. This conference on the secret lives of belugas can be streamed live on Facebook on June 8 at 7:00 p.m.

Another must-see of Ocean Week: the documentary “Under Thin Ice” (French version only available) will be available at no cost from June 3 to 8. Professional divers Mario Cyr and Jill Heinerth embark on an expedition to the Far North during which they notably encounter narwhals and belugas. Beyond the breathtaking images, the documentary highlights the fragile nature of the arctic ecosystem and its vulnerability to climate change.

Discover the complete program of Ocean Week here (in French).