Tagrorqual commun
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…
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…
Fin Whales Are Back!
This week, marine mammals were not deterred by the snow and wind from parading up and down the St. Lawrence.…
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…
Synchronized Fin Whales
July 13, 2021. Several large spouts erupt off the coast of Sept-Îles. One, two, three blasts. Four, then seven, then…
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…
Memorable Observations
When it comes to marine mammals, sometimes no two days are alike. For several weeks, a resident of Tadoussac had been…
“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…
A Funny Coincidence
Belugas took full advantage of their first day of calm in the Saguenay Fjord. Many light-coloured backs were present in…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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 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.…
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…
Cetaceans: Champion Divers
One of the challenges of observing whales is the long dives that the animals take. The lives of whales take…
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…
Studying Fin Whale Distribution to Understand Their Decline
The team at the Mingan Island Cetacean Study (MICS) has been observing fewer and fewer fin whales in the northern…
Species at Risk: Fin Whales on the Rebound, Concerns for Sei Whales and Sowerby’s Beaked Whales
On May 6, the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC) convened in St. John's, Newfoundland, to…
Do whales suffer from sunburn?
Unlike other mammals, whales do not have hair to protect their skin. Even if they spend little time at the…
Decline in fin whales in gulf of St-Lawrence
Fin whales in the northern Gulf of St. Lawrence are in decline, according to a new study published in the…
New status for fin whales: on the road to recovery?
Fin whales may not be the largest of the whales, but they are certainly one of the fastest! This advantage…
Whaling: Do the Whales Hunted in the Nordic Countries Visit the St. Lawrence?
Are the cetaceans targeted by Icelandic or Norwegian whalers the same ones as those that visit us year after year?…
Whaling: Harvesting Whales in the 21st Century
In early July, images of whaling sparked a controversy. Sea Shepherd is concerned that Icelandic whalers have slaughtered a blue whale,…
In Pursuit of the Fin Whale
Last July 13, 2017, I spent my day on the water in search of large rorquals to photograph. The weather…