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Archives – The whale news network 2001The whale news network: a weekly compilation of the "whale-watching" experience in the St. Lawrence Estuary and Gulf. Thanks to all the network collaborators! Here are all the weekly bulletins of 2001. You may obtain information on specific topics by using the "find" function in the "edit" menu of your browser ( Example : search for the word "dolphin" to discover where and when dolphins were spotted by the whale news network). You can consult the Whale news network archives of
other years.
11 January 2001, vol. 5 no 1 The winter has wings The network collaborators regularly observe large groups of birds in protected bays and on the tidal flats of the Estuary and the Gulf. Black ducks, goldeneyes and oldsquaws often get together by the hundreds, swimming quietly at the surface with their beaks either tucked into their feathers to keep warm or in the water searching for food. It’s the food that attracts them to open water. Since it is not the mating season, they tend to be quite tolerant of the communal nature of these gatherings. Small groups of mergansers, solitary guillemots in winter plumage and the graceful flight of the Iceland gull also make up the winter scenery of the St. Lawrence. How do these birds support the glacial temperatures of winter as they spend hours with their feet submersed in water so cold it is covered with frazil? Well, they eat a lot, their feathers trap air that serves as an insulator, and they are equipped with a system of veins and arteries that minimises heat loss through the feet. The cold blood of the veins leaving the feet to return to the body is heated by the warm blood of the arteries leaving the body to return to the feet. A similar system exists in the pectoral fins and the flukes of cetaceans. Humans, on the other hand, must wear parkas in winter... Winter whales The St. Lawrence has taken on a definite winter air. Enormous blocks of ice pile up on the beaches only to change shape under the influence of storms or tides. As the thermometer dips, gigantic columns of vapour move in procession across the surface of the water. Given these extreme conditions one would imagine the whales long gone. However, as it happens every year, sightings of whales continue throughout the cold season. Around New Year's, for example, blue whales and belugas were sighted off Bergeronnes. Scientists do not know where the majority of the whales that we see in the summer migrate to, nor why certain individuals winter over on the summer feeding grounds. 18 January 2001, vol. 5 no 2 Blue whale beached in the Magdalene Islands In mid-December, the carcass of a large blue whale came ashore on a beach in the Magdalene Islands, more specifically in the Étang-du-Nord sector. Researchers from the Maurice Lamontagne Institute (MLI) travelled to the site to identify the species and retrieve a sample of fat. The blue whale carcass then drifted back out to sea under the influence of large waves caused by a winter storm. It wasn’t until after Christmas that the carcass beached itself again in the same area. Members of the GREMM team, along with Pierre-Henry Fontaine, travelled to the site in the hope of recovering the skeleton for the Marine Mammal Interpretation Centre in Tadoussac. Unfortunately the skeleton was in bad shape, most of the bones having been broken, likely during the storm. Despite the setback, the experience allowed researchers to obtain interesting samples and information. The animal turned out to be a small male, approximately 20 metres in length. Photographs of the dorsal fin and of the tail may be sufficient to identify the individual as one of those on file in the St. Lawrence blue whale catalogue compiled by MICS researchers. Baleen plates, vertebrae and ribs were taken from the carcass, along with samples of skin and fatty tissue. Some of the baleen plates will be used by Véronique Lesage of the MLI for the analysis of stable carbon and nitrogen isotopes. This technique is used to learn more about the feeding habits of these large mammals and to give some indication as to their movements between the Gulf and Estuary over the course of a feeding season. The skin could by used for genetic analysis, and the fat to evaluate concentrations of various contaminants. The carcass was transported to a landfill by Fisheries and Oceans Canada. Large whales everywhere at the start of 2001 Many of our collaborators have already celebrated their first whale sighting of the year. Near Gaspé Bay, observers spotted five fin whales on January 8 and again on January 11, just in time for their morning coffee. The following week, a Forillon Park warden mentions the presence of two humpback whales and one fin whale. There were also sightings of whales all along the North Shore from Bergeronnes to Sept-Îles. At least four blue whales surprised GREMM researchers on holiday in Bergeronnes. A large number of beluga whales were also seen, which is quite unusual for this time of year. They were able to identify one of the blue whales as Flat Liner. This blue whale was also sighted in the area at the beginning of the month of March, last year, and it came back into the Estuary over the course of last summer. During the week of January 5, observers in Les Escoumins spotted five blue whales, two fin whales and possibly even a minke whale. Further downstream, off Pointe-au-Boisvert, an observer reports seeing the blows of three to six large whales from his living room from December 29 to January 3. He also estimates that there were five to ten large whales between Forestville and Colombier during the same period. The whales were too far offshore for positive species identification. An observer that has just joined the whale news network says that he spotted a large whale on January 8 near Mistassini Point, between Baie-Comeau and Godbout. The whale was near shore and was swimming east. Even further downstream, one of our long time collaborators was very surprised to see a blue whale quite near the shore in Sainte-Marguerite Bay, past Sept-Îles. This was a first for him, in ten years of whale watching in the area. 25 January 2001, vol. 5 no 3 In search of the Greenland shark A team of divers and researchers set up their equipment on the ice of Ha! Ha! Bay in the Saguenay Fjord from January 12 to 19 for Operation Skalugsuak. The purpose of the mission was to record underwater images of the Greenland shark (Somniosus microcephalus). This species frequents the northern waters of the Atlantic Ocean as far south as Northern Europe in the east and the Gulf of Maine in the west. They haunt the deepest depths of the Saguenay, but rise from the abyss during winter to swim the cold waters near the surface. Most of what is known of this species in the Saguenay actually comes from specimens accidentally caught by people ice fishing. Plenty of photographs, eye-witness reports and even a couple mounted specimens confirm the existence of Greenland sharks in the Saguenay. Although sharks caught through the ice average 2 m in length, some of them were six metres long and weighed in excess of one tonne! Operation Skalugsuak was an ambitious project. Underwater cameras filmed bait day and night, while a team of researchers staked out monitors at the base which was set up on the ice. Divers, equipped with semi-enclosed diving suits, were on call, ready to rendezvous with any sharks spotted by the surface team to get some rare shots. The team was also equipped with a remote control video camera (ROV) in order to get a better idea of the dive site before taking the plunge. Unfortunately their efforts were not rewarded and the Greenland shark will keep its secrets … at least until next winter! Belugas in Tadoussac! On January 22, just off the CIMM in Tadoussac, our observer first spotted small blows lit up by the sun at the surface. Whales in the Saguenay in winter? Was he just seeing things? No, his co-workers reassured him, there were definitely two, maybe three, small white backs heading downstream. The crew of the Tadoussac–Baie-Sainte-Catherine ferry also spotted them. Now there’s a rare sighting for this time of year! The Saguenay is at the centre of the summer distribution area of the beluga. However, they tend to head into the downstream portion of the St. Lawrence Estuary for the winter. Don’t forget Percé On top of the whale sightings reported last week along the North Shore and off Gaspé Bay, it must be noted that fin and blue whale blows were observed all along the coast from Percé to Chandler over the past month or so. Since, ice from the River has piled up along the shoreline of the Gaspé Peninsula, and the blows have disappeared. The whales may be just a bit further offshore, at the limit of the ice pack. Little is known about the winter behaviour of the great whales of the St. Lawrence. What do they do here in winter? Where do the majority of the whales observed over the summer go? Surely out into the North Atlantic Ocean, but where exactly? 1 February 2001, vol. 5 no 4 Mid-winter blues This week a blue whale enthralled seasoned observers off Gallix, near Sept-Îles. On Friday and Saturday the whale was surface feeding. Even though it was a mile and a half from shore, observers could clearly see its gaping maw as it engulfed thousands of litres of seawater with each mouthful. There was undoubtedly an abundance of krill in the area. The feast also attracted innumerable marine birds, mostly arctic gulls and red-breasted mergansers, as well as harp seals. Our observers spotted the blue whale again on Sunday and Wednesday. They recognized it easily by its almost total absence of a dorsal fin. Could it be Flat Liner, the St. Lawrence regular that was spotted in the Estuary around Christmas off Les Bergeronnes? Impossible to be certain without photographs, as Flat Liner is not the only St. Lawrence blue whale missing a dorsal fin. A photograph would permit a close examination of the mottled flank of the animal, using a technique similar to fingerprint identification. Over 350 St. Lawrence blue whales have been put on file thanks to these markings. Little is known of the winter habits of these animals; however, it appears that at least a few individuals frequent the waters of the Gulf and the Estuary during the cold season. Apparently the fare is to their liking. 8 February 2001, vol. 5 no 5 It’s cooking at the head of the Laurentian Channel The St. Lawrence is cold in winter, to say the least. As a matter of fact it’s so cold that the saltwater of the Gulf and Estuary actually freezes, a situation unheard of further south. In a typical month of February, sea ice, as it’s known in scientific circles, covers most of the Gulf with the exception of the North Shore and an area south of Anticosti Island. These open water areas are caused by the north wind, which pushes ice offshore. An even more interesting phenomenon occurs at the head of the Laurentian Channel. The Channel, a 1000 km long, underwater corridor that begins in the Gulf and hugs the North Shore up the Estuary, ends in a cul-de-sac at the mouth of the Saguenay. The interplay of tides and currents against this underwater cliff causes an upwelling of deep water, warmer than surface water, impeding ice formation. Known as a polynya, this same phenomena is also observed in the Arctic. One of the most extensive Arctic polynyas covers 70 000 km2 between Ellesmere Island and Greenland, an area comparable to that of Ireland! Polynyas are "Arctic Oases". They teem with life in the middle of a desert of ice. A proliferation of microscopic algae feed tiny animals that in turn fall prey to fish. This manna also attracts marine mammals and birds. What about the head of the Laurentian Channel? Scientists do not know if this subarctic polynya is productive in winter, that is to say whether or not microscopic algae develop. What is certain is that it heats up. On average, the heat radiated at the head of the Laurentian Channel is equivalent to that of a 300 to 400 watt light bulb per square metre of surface area. But don't think about going for a dunk: these "warm" waters are actually between 4 and 6 degrees Celsius! Everything being relative...(Thank you to François Saucier of the Maurice Lamontagne Institute for his response to queries from Whales online.) 15 February 2001, vol. 5 no 6 Seals on the ice Over the next two weeks, if the ice is solid enough, female harp seals will haul themselves out onto the ice pack surrounding the Magdalene Islands to give birth. They will then nurse for 12 days, and the young pups will spend another four or five weeks on the ice before taking the big dive into the waters of the Gulf. The ice pack will also attract males looking to mate with the females. In fact, the seals will take advantage of the ice pack for as long as they can; first to mate, then to rest during the moult. In the Estuary it’s a whole different story; a large number of harp seals have been present in our waters since Christmas. They swim upstream in enormous, milling groups of hundreds at a time. These groups are formed predominantly of females seeking food. Here they will find an abundance of capelin. The large sheets of ice floating in the Estuary make for convenient lounging areas where the seals can haul themselves out, thus facilitating the work of around fifteen hunters from Les Escoumins. Most of them come from a long line of hunters perpetuating a family tradition centred around the sea, the forest, hunting and fishing. The seals will soon be leaving the area to mate, probably on the ice pack around the Magdalene Islands. They will return to the Estuary in March, after having mated. At the end of spring most of them will migrate north into the Arctic, however, don’t be surprised if you come across harp seals in our waters in the middle of June. Generally considered winter visitors, harp seals are showing up in ever increasing numbers in spring and summer at the mouth of the Saguenay. This could be due to a population explosion. There were an estimated 5.2 million harp seals in the St. Lawrence in 1999. Fisheries and Oceans Canada considers that this population, which has been expanding since the 1950s, is in the process of stabilizing. 22 February 2001, vol. 5 no 7 Ice fishing The Saguenay Fjord is now covered in ice, with the exception of the mouth, where the current is very strong and where an upwelling of "warm" water prevents ice formation. As well, there is a narrow channel of open water that winds up the Fjord over approximately 70 km; it is maintained by the Canadian Coast Guard for the passage of merchant vessels destined for Port-Alfred. This winter the ice formed early in the Saguenay. However, the wind storm of December 18 set the counter back to zero. Therefore, it wasn’t until mid-January, when the ice was solid enough, that the odd little villages of ice fishing huts began to spring up. Several dozen kilometres upstream the ice rises and falls with the tide, lifting the little fishing cabins with it. Several saltwater species of fish are caught, including redfish, Atlantic cod and Greenland cod. This winter the Anse-Saint-Jean outfitting company reports that only the really lucky fishermen come away with these species of ground fish. A new fish has become the prize: capelin. Enormous schools of capelin swim below the ice, an unusual phenomenon for the region and the time of year. There are so many capelin, that it was as the fishermen were bringing up their lines that they accidentally first discovered the lode at the beginning of last winter. Right from the start of the season this year the capelin were back. There are still several good weeks of fishing left. The season will be prolonged until the ice cover is eventually systematically broken up by an ice-breaker, around March 12, in order to facilitate navigation ... and hasten the return of summer! 1st March 2001, vol. 5 no 8 Down below None of our collaborators spotted whales from the shore this week. The St. Lawrence appears congealed, immobile, frozen. Yet, down below, reality defies appearance. The water is just slightly colder than in summer; around fifteen degrees colder in areas where the difference is greatest. This is very slight when compared to seasonal temperature changes on land! Certain species of fish, sand lance and Atlantic tomcod for example, are right in the middle of their mating season. It is a noisy environment, filled with the sound of ice floes colliding, grinding and whistling. Marine mammals must put up with the impressive racket of occasional winter snow storms. Each snowflake bursts as it comes into contact with the surface of the water, liberating tiny air bubbles that produce a high pitched sound. The St. Lawrence winter is not a quiet, muffled season...down below. 8 March 2001, vol. 5 no 9 An icebreaker on the St. Lawrence It is tough to find whale watchers on the St. Lawrence at this time of the year. Even the captain and crew of the Des Groseilliers, an icebreaker that travels throughout the St. Lawrence and the Arctic, had nothing to report. Their main mission is to facilitate the movement of ships travelling through the St. Lawrence. As ice forms and moves continually in winter, their job is to indicate the proper route for merchant vessels to follow so they do not waste time and fuel. Satellite data now renders that task a lot easier; however, satellite information for the St. Lawrence is only renewed every three days. One good storm, like the one that came through last Tuesday, and the "landscape" of the St. Lawrence undergoes radical transformations. Wednesday morning, the crew of the Des Groseilliers had to verity the state of the ice at the mouth of the Estuary by helicopter in order to assist vessels that had become lost in the labyrinth. The Canadian government is working on a model that, much like a weather report, would allow them to make predictions for up to five days. Tides, winds, surface temperature and salinity are all crucial data for this model. Two commercial vessels are participating in the project: the Cicero (owned by Oceanex) and the Nordik Express (owned by Relais Nordik Inc.) are equipped with thermosalinographs, machines that measure the temperature and the salinity of surface water as the ships travel through the Estuary and Gulf of the St. Lawrence. This project is carried out in collaboration with the industry (Oceanex and Relais Nordik Inc.), the Canadian Ice Service (Environment Canada), the Maurice Lamontagne Institute (Fisheries and Oceans Canada) and the Canadian Coast Guard Service. The icebreaker Des Groseilliers is in Tadoussac this week in preparation for the breaking up of the Saguenay next week. [Thanks to Captain Germain Tremblay and to the crew of the Des Groseilliers] 15 March 2001, vol. 5 no 10 Blows on the horizon Up until last Tuesday’s snowstorm, we were beginning to think that spring had finally arrived. Our collaborator from Sept-Îles dove beneath the ice of Sainte-Marguerite Bay last Saturday. The water temperature was scarcely above freezing, but the experience was worth it. He was particularly impressed with the deep grooves that blocks of ice had dug into the sand at the bottom of the bay. It’s a fact that the movement of ice in bays, along with powerful winter storms, can completely transform the shape of certain beaches and shallow basins. Another one of our collaborators took advantage of the weekend and the warm weather to scan the surface of the St. Lawrence from Mistassini Point near Baie-Comeau. He spotted the powerful blow of a large whale, but the animal was too far offshore to determine whether it was a blue whale or a fin whale. There was a blue whale in the Escoumins area on the same day a year ago. We are expecting beluga whales to return to the mouth of the Saguenay Fjord before the end of the month. 22 March 2001, vol. 5 no 11 The blues have arrived! There are blows everywhere! Be it in Gaspésie, near Baie-Comeau or in Les Escoumins, our observers have confirmed it: there are large whales in the St. Lawrence. It is still often difficult to determine whether they are fin whales or blue whales, but the blows are impressive. In Les Escoumins a solitary blue whale arrived to greet spring on the morning of March 20. At Baie-Trinité, Sunday breakfast was accompanied by three blue whales blowing in the distance. Impressive blows were also reported between the Mistassini and the Franklin rivers. In Gaspé Bay the last cross-country ski run of the season allowed our observers to spot blows. Still in the Gaspésie area, two big blue whales were basking not far from the dock at Rivière-au-Renard on the afternoon of March 21. With the knowledge that by keeping an eye on the water there is a good chance of seeing a whale comes the impression that spring has sprung. But if swallows aren’t the harbingers of this long awaited season, can blue whales be counted on to ring in spring? 29 March 2001, vol. 5 no 12 Winter is almost over Sure, snow continues to fall on our heads, but the whales, seals and birds aren’t fooled; the winter is ending and their annual cycle is following its course. There are reports that young harp seals are moulting around the Magdalene Islands. Little by little they are losing their white fur in exchange for their "beater" coat: a short, silvery fur dotted with black spots on the side and back. Locals refer to animals in this intermediate stage, between whitecoat and "beater", as "guenillou" ("the ragged"). As for the whales, our observers report several special encounters this week. A blue whale was spotted just off Les Escoumins Bay on Wednesday and off the Escoumins Traffic Maritime Surveillance Station on Thursday morning. The same day, it was seen just off Les Escoumins, feeding near the surface on its side. Could it be the same whale that was seen last week? There were also two fin whales in Gaspé Bay on Wednesday afternoon. The slanting rays of sunlight lit up their powerful blows as marine birds accompanied their ballet. Near Percé, also in Gaspésie, our observers report that black-legged kittiwakes have been seen on their nesting grounds since March 20, and that great cormorants are also starting to prepare their nesting places. 5 April 2001, vol. 5 no 13 The belugas of spring have arrived! To the delight of several shore-bound observers, several white backs were seen breaking the surface at the mouth of the Saguenay on the morning of April 4 under a beautiful spring-time sun. A small group of belugas had already passed by these same observers in the middle of the month of January. These, then, are not the first belugas of the year. However, they are likely the first to return to their summer headquarters after a winter spent in the downstream portion of the Estuary. Elsewhere in the St. Lawrence, the large whales continue to blow. One of them was seen less than a kilometre offshore near Baie-Comeau on Saturday and Sunday. Spring officially sprung in Sept-Îles two weeks ago with the arrival of the first minke whale. At least two blue whales, two fin whales and a humpback whale were swimming around in Gaspé Bay on Friday and Saturday. These great whales slowly return to our waters after mysterious voyages in the Atlantic. Our observers are on the verge of putting their boats back in the water. We should soon have fresh news from offshore! I want to know moreOn Whales online: Migration : Where do the giants go? 12 April 2001, vol. 5 no 14 Happy Easter! If the pattern holds, those living on the shores of the Gulf and Estuary will celebrate a happy Easter with the return of whales and birds. Eider ducks have begun to slowly re-colonize their nesting grounds since early April. Their nuptial chatter can be heard in bays and along sections of shore that are free of ice. Several brants were reported near Les Escoumins while, in Tadoussac, nearly forty of them were hanging out on Pointe-de-l’Îlet on April 11. Very soon, flocks of snow geese should be flying above our heads; they are now resting and feeding near Québec City. Blue whales and fin whales are still blowing offshore, to the delight of our observers in the Estuary and Gulf. The backs of minke whales have also been seen; one of them last April 4 in Gaspé Bay, just off the beach at Cap-aux-Os. Belugas have arrived in the Charlevoix region. Numerous females with their young have been spotted around Ile aux Coudres these past few weeks. Blows, backs.. and flukes? A fin whale surprised observers navigating between Les Bergeronnes and Cap-de-Bon-Désir when it fluked up as it dove. The fin whale is a long, lithe species. More often than not it has but to fold its tail under its body and arc its back to dive. Other, more plump species, such as the famous humpback whale or the sperm whale, inevitably bring their tails out of the water as they dive deep. 19 April 2001, vol. 5 no 15 More and more whales! Spring has definitely arrived. Numerous are the blue whales scattered along the North Shore and around the Gaspé Peninsula. On one particular morning this week, one of our observers from the Les Escoumins area spotted as many as seven of them spread out over a distance of 20 km. Three blue whales and a fin whale were seen surface feeding near the shore just off Sept-Îles. At least three minke whales have shown up in the area between Les Bergeronnes and Les Escoumins, and many groups of belugas are also present. Passengers on the Baie-Sainte-Catherine—Tadoussac ferry would be well advised to keep a sharp eye out; belugas have been seen in the area and the first minke whale of the season is expected any time now. Another sure sign of spring has come from the air; gannets have been spotted in Sept-Îles and in Gaspésie. The reproductive season is just beginning for this species of bird, while the migrating whales are now commencing their feeding season after a winter of mating and calving. The beluga whale is the only St. Lawrence cetacean to partake in procreation during spring. 26 April 2001, vol. 5 no 16 Whales...up close! Whales continue to impress and surprise network observers... very close to shore. One observer from Percé, in Gaspésie, is very delighted to have counted five blue whales, two humpback whales and eight fin whales. An observer from the North Shore spotted a blue whale as it was swimming in less than 30 m of water near the spit of sand at Sainte-Anne-de-Portneuf. Even after the animal had dived, it was possible to follow its underwater movements by the wake it left at the surface. Further upstream, a small crowd gathered on Tadoussac wharf to admire two belugas that appeared to be feeding in the bay on April 24. This habitat is hardly ever used by belugas anymore, likely because of heavy boat traffic in the summer. Minke whales are beginning to make their presence known. One of them lunged partway out of the water near Pointe-de-l'Islet at the mouth of the Saguenay. As one network observer noted, people living along the shores of the maritime portion of the St. Lawrence are very lucky to be able to observe whales so easily; many whale watchers must travel thousands of kilometres for the privilege of seeing them. First beached beluga of the season A male beluga whale was found stranded at Pointe-au-Père, on the
South Shore, on April 19. The carcass was sent to the University of
Montreal's faculty of veterinary medicine at Saint-Hyacinthe for a
complete necropsy. Every year approximately twenty beluga carcasses are
reported beached along the shores of the St. Lawrence. 3 May 2001, vol. 5 no 17 Gone whale watchin’ All winter, merchant vessels and Canadian Coast Guard icebreakers were the only boats navigating the waters of St. Lawrence. This week, and in the weeks to come, Whale-news-network observers will head offshore: their boats, after having spent the winter sleeping, will once again taste the sea, rediscover the St. Lawrence and cruise out to encounter the whales. Long live the salt air! Four humpback whales and a few seals were there to greet the first outing of our observers from Gaspé Bay. Our colleagues from Sept-îles took advantage of having put their boat back in the water by "capturing" a fin whale and a blue whale... on film! Minke whales and harp seals were also onsite to welcome them. In the Tadoussac area the first whale-watching cruise of the year charmed crew and tourists: four minke whales were spotted during the cruise, one of them was even seen surfing in the wake of their boat. While it is definitely good to breathe the briny, offshore air, patient observers posted along the shores were also rewarded. For example, two love birds, gazing out to sea a few hundred metres from the Matane lighthouse, contemplated four belugas swimming in the area last April 25. They may be lingering in their winter headquarters, but these whales will soon move to the upstream portion of the Estuary for the summer. Belugas are already numerous in this area, to the great delight of ferry passengers and hikers. 10 May 2001, vol. 5 no 18 UFO sighting Yes, that's right, a UFO (Unidentified Floating Object). It happened near Pointe-des-Monts on the North Shore of the St. Lawrence, a sort of "twilight zone" along the frontier between the Gulf and the Estuary. Here there is a beautiful beach, one or two Bed and Breakfasts and a lighthouse from which the sounds of whales and marine fowl can be heard. Late Monday afternoon our observer spotted three fin whales moving back and forth in the area just offshore, swimming slowly and blowing on occasion. From time to time the whales would roll over onto their sides, displaying a pectoral fin or part of a tail fluke. Up until then everything seemed relatively normal, although very impressive. Suddenly, our observer, armed with a pair of binoculars, noticed something quite unusual. A long, pinkish form appeared at the surface in the very place where one of the whales had been, as if the whale were just below the surface. The two other fin whales remained close by, turning slowly on their sides. The same pinkish form disappeared and reappeared at the surface three or four times. What could it have been? Our observer is convinced of having seen the virile member of a fin whale. The North Atlantic fin whale mating season is usually in winter, however, little is known of their reproductive behaviour. So was it a penis or not? The St. Lawrence never reveals all of its secrets. Elsewhere, the great celebration of spring continues. Gannets and minke whales are stuffing themselves on fish near Setp-Îles, while murres and razorbills are settling down to nest not far away on Corossol Island. Harp seals are parading by in great numbers all along the North Shore, while flocks of brants, Canada geese and snow geese fly over their heads. Beluga whales are streaming along in processions in the Saguenay and in the Charlevoix region, while the Coast of Gaspé is literally vibrating with the powerful blows of whales and the cries of sea birds. All of this commotion is slowly waking the shore-bound trees over which the sounds echo like a light green shiver. 17 May 2001, vol. 5 no 19 Not quite summer, but... We wouldn't want to create any immoderate expectations for the visitors who have already begun showing up along the shores of the St. Lawrence full of hope of encountering whales. However, it is important to note that there are whales spread throughout the St. Lawrence and that seals and birds are present also. Every day our observers, who have seen a lot of spectacular things over the years, are sending us very enthusiastic messages. Although whales may be scarce right now in Sept-Îles, a flock of about 80 gannets lit up an otherwise grey week. Every day brings its share of blue whales, minke whales and humpback whales to Gaspé Bay. They will become increasingly numerous now that the capelin has started to spawn. Off Percé, which is more exposed, strong winds are rendering whale watching, and lobster fishing, rather difficult. There have been fin whale sightings in the St. Lawrence. The crew of the Matane-Godbout ferry has been seeing them regularly and in large numbers. Three or four fin whales have also been spotted in the Tadoussac area. Blue whales are blowing, large and mysterious, a little further downstream along the North Shore between Les Bergeronnes and Sainte-Anne-de-Portneuf. Minke whales and beluga whales are adding to the excitement. Birds are also quite numerous. Nesting has begun for most species of the St. Lawrence (gulls, kittiwakes, razorbills, etc.), but we have yet to see any chicks. Migratory birds are back among us, waiting for the Far North to thaw a bit before tackling the final leg of their journey. Take time to observe them: snow geese, brants and oldsquaws will disappear in just a few short weeks, along with the large groups of harp seals that can still be seen off Les Escoumins and elsewhere along the North Shore. This just in Today, there was a pair of harlequin ducks at the mouth of the Saguenay River. This species is abundant in Gaspésie, but rare in the Estuary. 24 May 2001, vol. 5 no 20 A sperm whale! Credit for the first sperm whale sighting of the year goes to our observer from Pointe-des-Monts, who spotted it late in the afternoon last May 15. The question remains whether or not it was the same animal spotted three days later, further upstream, in the Tadoussac-Les Escoumins area. It was first seen in this area in the morning, off Cap- de-Bon-Désir, by a land-based observer. In the afternoon, cruise boats also had their chance to encounter this colossal animal. Other sightings will likely follow these first ones, sporadically, over the course of the summer. The GREMM has maintained a catalogue of the various sperm whales that have visited the St. Lawrence Estuary since 1991. To date the catalogue contains photos of eighteen different sperm whales, some of which have been photographed several different times. Youth visit the St. Lawrence Our observer posted on the coast at Percé spotted two blue whales and one fin whale this week. She was also lucky enough to catch a glimpse of a female humpback whale with its calf, which was most likely born in the warm waters of the West Indies. The two have most probably just arrived in the St. Lawrence after a long migration. This first voyage will remain in the young whale's memory, and it will repeat the same migration year after year for the rest of its life. The story of the young fin whale that was seen off Tadoussac several weeks ago, possibly born somewhere in the North Atlantic last winter, is similar. It also discovered a route with its mother, a route that brought it to the end of an estuary, to the source of a cornucopia overflowing with capelin and krill. Already nearly weaned, the young whale has all summer to perfect its feeding techniques. Many of the young belugas that are showing up these days are easy to pick out due to their dark colour, which contrasts greatly with the pure white hide of their mothers. Most are probably yearlings that are still nursing. In contrast to the nomadic and adventurous great whales, belugas spend practically their whole lives in the St. Lawrence Estuary and the Saguenay Fjord. An exceptional youth Our observers from Gaspé Bay had the privilege of encountering a female blue whale accompanied by its calf last May 23. Blue whale cow-calf sightings in the St. Lawrence are very rare; less than 20 cases in as many years have been observed by the MICS research team based in Mingan. According to Richard Sears, director of MICS, female blue whales may not frequent the St. Lawrence with their calves. It is also possible that St. Lawrence blue whales have reproductive problems related to chemical contamination. Biopsies (skin and fat samples) have revealed much higher levels of PCBs in the fatty tissue of blue whales of the St. Lawrence than in that of blue whales from Iceland. 31 May 2001, vol. 5 no 21 Whales, seals and birds We had become used to seeing groups of harp seals in the spring at the head of the Laurentian Channel. What's surprising is to see groups of 35 to 50 of them in the Saguenay (near the CIMM), off the end of the wharf at Baie-Sainte-Catherine and even as far upstream as Saint-Siméon. What were they doing there when they should have been on their way back to Greenland after wintering over in the St. Lawrence? Judging by the gulls, cormorants and minke whales accompanying them, it was likely abundant schools of fish that kept them in the area. Was it capelin? Sand Lance? Herring? Maybe it would be a good idea to question the six fin whales spotted in the Cap-à-l’Aigle area last week and in the Tadoussac area this week. Several blue whales were seen between Tadoussac and Les Bergeronnes and further downstream, between Les Escoumins and Sainte-Anne-de-Portneuf. Our observer at Sainte-Anne-de-Portneuf even spotted a young humpback whale approximately ten days ago. There was also a sperm whale off Cap-de-Bon-Désir last Sunday. Further along the North Shore, near Sept-Îles, our collaborator photographed five blue whales last Friday. What about the other shore? Gaspé Bay was very animated this week: four blue whales, six fin whales, as many humpback whales and, of course, minke whales and even a harbour porpoise. However the show of the week was a winged one: thousands of black-legged kittiwakes were feeding on krill that was wriggling at the surface over an area of 2 square kilometres. Tip of the week Keep a sharp eye out on the north shore of the mouth of the Saguenay between Pointe-de-l'Islet and the CIMM. Minke whales showed up every day last week, passing within mere metres of the rocky shore and performing amazing acrobatics as they were feeding. As it happens, these days this same spectacle could be repeated just about anywhere along the shores of the maritime portion of the St. Lawrence. 7 June 2001, vol. 5 no 22 From the largest to the smallest Nearly a dozen blue whales have been reported between Tadoussac and Sainte-Anne-de-Portneuf. These giants fulfil the dreams of more than a few whale watchers. However, one must not forget the smallest St. Lawrence cetacean: harbour porpoises have also arrived in the Estuary.! Several very active groups were seen in the area near Cap-de-Bon-Désir Tuesday and Wednesday, and off Sainte-Anne-de-Portneuf Tuesday. Small and agile creatures, one must be vigilant in order to spot them. Fin whales in large numbers Although it is but the beginning of the season, already whale watchers in the Tadoussac-Les Escoumins area can count on the presence of numerous fin whales. At least fifteen of these whales are criss-crossing the area. Two regulars, Zipper and Capitaine Crochet (Captain Hook), have been seen among them. Were you aware that we are able to distinguish one wale from another? By photographing fin whales, researchers can examine their natural markings and tell them apart. This form of tracking, known as photo-identification, is the principal tool of a GREMM research project aimed at studying the fin whales of the Estuary, the most commonly observed species at the head of the Laurentian Channel. In Gaspésie Whales are also thrilling whale watchers in Gaspé Bay and near Bonaventure Island. Several humpback whales are swimming around the area, as well as blue whales, minke whales and fin whales. What an ecosystem! On a whale-watching cruise we are often led to discover other treasures of the St. Lawrence. Spring is an especially impressive season: birds have begun nesting, chicks have begun to hatch , the capelin is, or will soon be, rolling on the beaches bringing seals, gannets and whales tempted by these huge gatherings of easy prey. Be vigilant, there’s a lot going on out there! 14 June 2001, vol. 5 no 23 A quick look at this week's map of sightings will show you that whales were very present, as much in the Gulf as in the Estuary. Half-tail One animal worth mentioning is a fin whale that was spotted in Gaspé Bay this week. Not only did it fluke up every time it dove, a rare behaviour for this species, it was also missing half of its tail. This animal is a regular in Gaspé Bay where it shows up at least once, almost every year. The banquet The humpback whale that has been observed recently between Tadoussac and Cap-de-Bon-Désir is still around. It surprises admirers on a regular basis, sometimes with a breach, sometimes by surface feeding. Its feeding technique is different than that used by minke, fin and blue whales. Typically, when a fin whale or a blue whale feeds near the surface, it turns on its side and shows off half of its gaping mouth for several seconds as it engulfs thousands of litres of water and prey. Minke whales, on the other hand, use several different feeding strategies, but its movements are always rapid; one has but a moment to get a glimpse of its throat bulging with water and prey, its pectoral fins, or maybe a part of its tail. The humpback whale also uses several different techniques, but will often arrive at the surface with its mouth wide open only to continue moving forward for several metres offering an unexpected view of the inside of its mouth! 21 June 2001, vol. 5 no 24 Six curious porpoises As the sea was pretty rough last June 19, our observer form Sept-Îes decided not to go very far off shore. He decided instead to cruise around the islands, where he experienced a very interesting encounter. Six harbour porpoises surprised him and spent several minutes turning around his boat, seemingly checking it out in detail. The harbour porpoise is generally not very curious about boats. From a distance it can only be easily observed on calm days, due to its small size and rapid movement. Perspective One may be led to believe that all we ever talk about when we describe the whales of the St. Lawrence is food. Well, it's true! In summer, the principal activity of these large, migrating animals is eating. The only reason we are so privileged as to observe so many of them in the St. Lawrence is that food is very abundant. This week, our observers from Gaspé Bay described the scene as dreamlike when, drifting in the middle of hundreds of black-legged kittiwakes that were feeding at the surface, two fin whales surfaced near them, feasting in turn. Krill or fish, the prey, at the interface between two worlds, found itself in the compromising situation of being pursued by predators from the deep, as well as from above. The summer has taken off Voila! Migratory birds have gone off to nest in the North. Sightings of brants, snow geese or oldsquaw ducks have become rare. As for the species that nest in the St. Lawrence, the honeymoon is over and they are now busy taking care of their little ones. Razorbills, for example, are constantly shuttling back and forth between their colonies and the sea, returning to the nest with their catch to feed their only chick. Gatherings of eider ducks, composed mainly of ducklings accompanied by several adult females, can now be seen here and there on the water. Where are the males? About three weeks ago they left the females in order to moult in peace with the other males of their species, far from the indiscreet eyes of their mates… and ornithologists. In fact, no one is quite sure where the majority of male eider ducks go in the St. Lawrence during the several weeks it takes for them to moult. 28 June 2001, vol. 5 no 25 Dolphins! It’s dolphin time! Of the thirteen species of cetaceans that frequent the St. Lawrence, two are dolphins: the Atlantic white-sided dolphin and the white-beaked dolphin. Our observers in Gaspé Bay signalled the arrival of their first Atlantic white-sided dolphins of the season, a group of around thirty of them. The Saguenay belugas In summer, belugas use an area of the St. Lawrence that stretches from Rimouski to Île aux Coudres, as well as a portion of the Saguenay Fjord. These days, they are seen almost every day from the Pointe-Noire promontory that dominates the mouth of the Saguenay. Belugas are also regularly seen from the lookout at Sainte-Marguerite Bay, 25 km upstream from Tadoussac. However, belugas are seldom seen upstream of Sainte-Marguerite Bay, yet several curious individuals were seen at Anse-Sait-Jean at the beginning of the week. The GREMM research team, aboard the Bleuvet, patrols these sectors, photographing beluga whales encountered along the way, putting them on file and cataloguing individuals with natural markings that permit their identification. With this technique, researchers have learned that not all of the St. Lawrence belugas use the Saguenay. Only certain animals belonging to a network of males and a community of females head up the Fjord. As it turns out, there are two networks of males and three communities of females in the St. Lawrence in summer. Feats Minke whales are abundant throughout the Estuary and the Gulf, thrilling land-based observers as well as those who go out on the water. At Pointe de l’Islet, in the village of Tadoussac, for example, no less than four minke whales were rivalling each other with deftness at capturing fish several dozen metres from the rocks last June 26. Non-stop jumps out of the water, rolls and clacking of jaws surprised observers. However, it would be an error to think that only the minke whale is capable of such feats. On several occasions this week, fin whales in the Tadoussac-Les Bergeronnes area were feeding on both krill and sand lance at the surface of the water. The power and grace of these giants, seen with their mouths gaping, impressed many observers. 5 July 2001, vol. 5 no 26 The giants of the St. Lawrence Whales are not the only giants to impress observers by their majesty and their size in the Blanc-Sablon area. Icebergs are part of the scenery even now, in July. The Canadian Ice Service monitors the situation on Canada's East Coast and in Belle Isle Straight, and requests all boats in the area to report their position every six hours, as well as that of any icebergs they may encounter. Although they are often equipped with cutting edge technology, sailors are rendered humble and cautious by the presence of icebergs. A hybrid? An odd-looking animal has been christened 'the hybrid' by observers in the Tadoussac–Les Escoumins area. This particular whale sports the colours of a blue whale and has a large curved dorsal fin similar to that of a fin whale. A visual observation is of course not sufficient to confirm whether it is in fact a hybrid or simply a blue whale with slightly offbeat features. A skin sample would be required in order to conduct genetic analysis. Well-documented cases of blue whale-fin whale hybrids do exist. There is even the possibility that these hybrids were fertile. Apparently, despite differences in size, colour and behaviour, fin whales and blue whales are two species that are genetically very close. Krill at the surface Have you ever heard of krill? It is a small planktonic animal resembling shrimp that is typically found at depth during the day and comes to the surface at dusk in order to spend the night grazing on microscopic algae. That said, what could explain sightings of krill wriggling at the surface in the Laurentian Channel or off the Gaspé Peninsula, in the middle of the day? Scientists are perplexed, but propose several hypotheses that fit well with theses types of sightings. First, when samples were available, they noticed that all of the animals at the surface were female. Therefore, it could be that females swim near the surface in order to release their eggs during the reproductive period. The rapid and turbulent movement of water, characteristic of certain phases of the tide at the head of the Laurentian Channel, could also explain the ascent of krill. Another hypothesis, corroborated by video footage from Monterrey Bay, proposes that predators, be they fish or whales, could pursue the krill, forcing them to the surface. Krill, blinded by the light of day, pinned between predators and the surface, would then become easy pickings. Whatever the reasons may be to explain this phenomenon, it is often an opportunity to observe the impressive feeding tactics of rorqual whales! 12 July 2001, vol. 5 no 27 Humpback whale in the Saguenay Presently there are humpback whales throughout the St. Lawrence. One of them surprised several observers this week when it adventured into the mouth of the Saguenay. This is an area where one is more likely to encounter marine mammals of the beluga whale, minke whale and seal ilk. For several hours on Saturday, July 7, the humpback whale in question investigated every nook and cranny of the mouth of the Fjord. It was identified as Tic Tac Toe, an animal that has been seen for several weeks now in the Tadoussac–Les Escoumins area where it has returned for the last three summers. It fluked up several times, to the delight of people watching from shore as well as of passengers of boats that had congregated for the occasion. What was behind this surprise visit? Was it food, exploration or simple curiosity? Tic Tac Toe is a juvenile whale (it is not known whether it is a male or female animal) approximately four years old. Juveniles are known to explore. Fog, fog, and more fog Visibility is reduced, however fog gives rise to special observations. Cetaceans can appear suddenly and unexpectedly very near a boat. The humid air and the absence of wind allows sound to travel very well, and the blows of whales in the fog can be very impressive. Krill sometimes swims to the surface due to the low light levels, and whales sometimes partake in an activity known as surface feeding. Add to this the eerie, mysterious ambience… Fog only can but heighten the charm of small coastal villages. The humid air, the scent of the sea, the fisherman's wharves, the yellow raincoats, the fish… fog has the power to evoke all of this maritime colour. Listen closely, you may even hear the sound of the foghorn from a lighthouse or a boat. A shark in the St. Lawrence! A basking shark was seen in Gaspésie, in the Percé area. This species is often encountered in the St. Lawrence. As fish go, it is second in size only to the whale shark. It can attain 15 metres in length and weigh as much as 5 tonnes. In Quebec, though, specimens rarely exceed10 metres in length. It is not dangerous, as it feeds on plankton. In the St. Lawrence, it is observed in the warm season and generally exposes the tip of its dorsal fin. It often shows the tip of its caudal fin as well (which is vertical as is the case with fish, and not horizontal like a whale’s tail). Basking sharks apparently spend the winter in the deeps of the Gulf, specifically in the Laurentian Channel, where they stop feeding to hibernate. A chance encounter or ducklings in sea sauce? A minke whale was observed feeding on several occasions in groups of eider ducklings at Pointe-des-Monts. It would surge halfway out of the water among the birds. Could it be that a minke whale has developed an appetite for eider ducklings? Opportunists, minke whales feed on plankton (copepods, krill, etc.), but also on a large variety of fish. Technically there may be no reason it couldn’t swallow a couple of ducklings, or even an adult eider. It could also be that the eiders found themselves in the wrong place at the wrong time. It could be that the Pointe-des-Monts eiders might have to learn to steer clear of schools of fish if they want to avoid getting pushed around by a hungry giant! 19 July 2001, vol. 5 no 28 The fog has lifted! As you may have noticed, fog has been omnipresent on the St. Lawrence over the past few weeks. For North Shore dwellers, the South Shore had almost become a legend. However, the fog has finally lifted and the whales have become more easily visible. This is a boon, as much for researchers as for whale watchers. A fin whale was sighted at Pointe-des-Monts, along with the minke whales and harbour porpoises that were already present. At least four humpback whales were in the Estuary between Tadoussac and Sainte-Anne-de-Portneuf, and blue whales and fin whales are also very numerous. In Gaspésie, our observers were thrilled to observe blue whales, gannets and black legged kittiwakes. The future is bright; both summer, and whales, have come out of the fog. Rare whale off Percé and bonus acrobatics A right whale was seen on the morning of Tuesday, July 17, off Percé. This is an endangered species with less than 350 individuals left in the North Atlantic. Right whales have been seen regularly near Percé in recent years. The animal seen last Tuesday was feeding just below the surface, so close that the movement of its tail formed round eddies of calm water. To top it off, three white-beaked dolphins were breaching and doing somersaults in the air. This is only the second sighting of this species of dolphin in nine years by our seasoned observer in Percé. Blanc-Sablon special The MICS research team that was working near Blanc-Sablon last week saw approximately fifty humpback whales, despite the fog. The researchers estimate that there were at least one hundred animals in the herd. For observers in the southern parts of the Gulf and in the Estuary, these numbers may appear high, but the Straight of Belle Isle is an area where this species congregates. At least some of these animals travel between this Straight and the Mingan Islands or Gaspésie. Photographs taken by researchers allow them to put whales on file, differentiating between individuals by the distinctive coloration pattern visible on the ventral surface of the tail. This technique allows researchers to get a better overall picture of humpback whale movements within the St. Lawrence. Born in 2001 Several young fin whales have been sighted in the St. Lawrence. Calving for this species occurs between November and January, nursing lasts six to seven months. The calves sighted here have already been weaned. They are therefore progressively independent and are not necessarily observed with their mothers. Other species of whale calves have been sighted recently. Our observer from Sainte-Anne-de-Portneuf noticed that adult harbour porpoises are accompanied by their offspring. They were born at the end of spring and the beginning of summer. Beluga whales are born over the course of the summer, from June to September. 26 July 2001, vol. 5 no 29 Right whales off Percé, again! A right whale was spotted off Percé last week. On July 19, three representatives of this rare species were seen in the area, a mother accompanied by its calf among them. A solitary adult was seen over the weekend. Very active, it was slapping its tail and pectoral fins against the surface and jumping completely out of the water. The cow/calf pair was seen again on Monday and Tuesday. The calf was also very active and approached the whale-watching boat while its mother was swimming in the distance, likely in search of food. As well as immortalizing the moment, photographs taken of these whales will also render their identification possible. An American research group, the New England Aquarium, maintains a photo-identification catalogue, a precious research tool used to better understand in order to better protect this fragile species. "Camel" in the Estuary Chameau (Camel in English), a regular visitor to the Estuary, was sighted last week. This blue whale is a female that has been on file since 1991. She is easily recognizable by the deformation of her vertebral column, which makes her appear to have two humps. When she comes to the surface one has the impression that there are two blue whales in single file. She was photographed by the research team aboard BpJAM, a GREMM research boat dedicated to the study of large whales. She was also seen from shore, off Cap-de-Bon-Désir, on July 17. It turns out that there were around a dozen blue whales between Les Bergeronnes and Tadoussac that day, upstream from the area where they are habitually seen. However, the whales have since moved on. Blue whales are nomadic animals; they follow schools of krill, their main source of food. Siam gets around Siam was one of the four humpback whales present in the Tadoussac–Les Escoumins area last week. The MICS research team had photographed this whale off Gaspésie on July 7th, four days before the first sighting of this animal in the Estuary. This means that it was really moving. Siam had been a regular visitor to the area between 1981 and 1993, but had since become more discreet in the Estuary, although the MICS team had observed it more frequently near Mingan or in Gaspésie. Whale watchers in the Estuary are therefore lucky to be able to observe this old acquaintance once again. Its name is derived from the pattern in the shape of the eyes of a siamese cat that is visible on the underside of its tail. Beached beluga at Pointe-au-Père This is the fifth beluga carcass that has been found so far this year. It turned out to be a three-and-a-half-metre-long female. It was an all white animal, which means that it was an adult, and the carcass was fresh. However, circumstances did not allow the carcass to be transported to the University of Montreal's Faculty of Veterinary Medicine at Saint-Hyacinthe for a necropsy. Lena Measure's team from the Maurice Lamontagne Institute managed to retain several organs and tissue samples for analysis. Each year, the analysis of approximately fifteen carcasses allows researchers to learn more about certain factors that threaten the recovery of the endangered St. Lawrence beluga whale population. 2 August 2001, vol. 5 no 30 A basking shark breach It is not rare to observe basking sharks in the Gulf. However, the behaviour of the basking shark observed this week off Percé was quite exceptional; it jumped completely out of the water! Our observers witnessed this performance three times while they were on the water, and once from land. This species of shark, which feeds on plankton, averages eight to ten metres in length in Quebec. It can attain 15 metres elsewhere in the world. Why did it breach? Experts are perplexed. The only shark known to jump in this manner on a regular basis is the shortfin mako shark, apparently to get rid of parasites. White sharks in the waters off South Africa have also been known to breach, to stun their prey. As for the basking shark, the mystery remains. ... even more right whales! After nearly a week without any fresh sightings of right whales in the Percé area, another cow/calf pair, along with two adults, were spotted on July 31. Calf sightings are always good news for this species, which has been reduced to 300 to 350 individuals in the North Atlantic. This winter’s calving season was very encouraging with over twenty five births. This species had poor reproductive success the three previous seasons. Right whale in distress in the Gulf One particular right whale has been attracting attention since June 8. This animal is caught in fishing gear and is dragging a cable that is cutting deeply into the flesh on its head. This male right whale, named Churchill (or#1102) has already fathered at least two calves over the past few years. A team of specialists has already tried to free him without success. They did manage to attach a transmitter to the cable, however, and are now able to follow his movements by satellite. Since June 9, he remained off Cape Cod for a while and then headed north-east. This week he entered the Gulf of St. Lawrence. All St. Lawrence whale watchers are hereby asked to keep an eye out. If you see this whale, call the GREMM as soon as possible at (418)235-4701. If Churchill approaches the coast, a team composed of Canadians and Americans will attempt to free him. Since the beginning of the year, at least two other right whales that had become entangled in fishing gear were freed successfully. A little hello from a sperm whale A sperm whale came by to say hi to whale watchers at Cap-de-Bon-Désir on the morning of July 30. A team from the GREMM went off to search for it. Sperm whales generally take 30 to 40 breaths and then dive for 30 to 45 minutes. This one took only three or four breaths and dove, without bringing its flukes out of the water, only to show up 15 minutes later nearly a kilometre distant. It was therefore impossible to take its picture. The St. Lawrence Estuary sperm whale catalogue includes 16 different animals, each one distinguishable by unique markings along the edge of its tail flukes. Was this a new individual, or a sperm whale that is already on file? We will never know! A mini show Around twenty harbour porpoises appeared to be surface feeding at Pointe-des-Monts. They were very active, turning and diving, remaining several seconds at the surface and then diving again. One of them, jostled by another, raised its tail like a small fan over the water which was boiling with activity. Who says you have to be big to put on an impressive show? 9 August 2001, vol. 5 no 31 Two visiting sperm whales Two sperm whales paid a visit to the Estuary last Saturday. They were spotted in the morning near Les Escoumins and then in the afternoon a little further upstream. The GREMM research team made an unsuccessful attempt to find them late in the day. The sneaky animals haven’t been seen since. Decidedly, sperm whales are shrouded in mystery this year. No photos were taken during the few sightings of sperm whales reported since the beginning of the season. Consequently, no individual identifications have been possible. Every year since 1991, the GREMM has photographed the sperm whales that have visited the Estuary. This has led to the creation of a photographic catalogue of 16 different animals. News of the right whale in distress The right whale caught in a fishing cable did not stay in the Gulf of St. Lawrence very long. After making it as far as the Magdalene Islands, he turned tail and headed back, off Nova Scotia. If you would like to follow his progress, here is the internet address of the map of his movements. It is updated daily thanks to satellite positions taken from the tag the rescue team managed to attach to the cable: http://www.coastalstudies.org/rescue/1102plot.htm Orcas! As it was heading toward Blanc-Sablon on July 24, the MICS research team encountered eight killer whales near Harrington Harbour in the Gulf of St. Lawrence. Another pod of two was seen in Belle-Isle Straight. It wasn’t the small pod that includes Jack Knife, but another group that had never been seen before. A rally in the St. Lawrence? Two weeks ago, we were amazed at the speed with which Siam covered the distance between Gaspésie and the Tadoussac–Les Escoumins area. Since then this male humpback whale has been to Minganie and returned to the Estuary in recent days. What a performance! It would be interesting to know what is behind this Laurentian rally. Belugas in Matane A whale watcher from Matane was pleasantly surprised when a group of about twelve belugas spent the better part of an hour and a half hanging around near the ferry dock on July 30. In summer, belugas tend to spend time in the area between île aux Coudres and Rimouski. They also swim into the Saguenay Fjord. To see such a large number of them in Matane at this time of year is therefore quite rare. Belugas know the Matane area well, as they spend time there in the winter. A mute swan Mute swans are originally from Europe. Often, individuals found in the wild in our area have escaped from captivity. The swan in Les Bergeronnes is not banded and is therefore the offspring of individuals that reproduced in the wild, like those observed in the Great Lakes. It has been in Les Bergeronnes for a week and a half now. It is at least the third mention of a mute swan for the St. Lawrence and Saguenay this year. This swan is not wounded and is doing quite well. It is recommended that people do not feed it as it is now a wild bird and can easily survive on its own. 16 August 2001, vol. 5 no 32 Big blue, little blue Two special blue whales were spotted on Monday off Les Escoumins. They turned out to be a cow/calf pair and the GREMM team was rapidly dispatched to photograph them. It will now be possible to identify the mother and recognize the baby in future voyages in the St. Lawrence. An encounter of this kind is always a special event. The MICS, a research group based in the Mingan Islands that studies St. Lawrence blue whales, has sighted only a dozen young blue whales over the years since it began its work in 1978. White-sided dolphins have arrived White-sided dolphins have arrived in large numbers in Gaspésie. A group of approximately 200 was spotted this week. They haven't yet shown up near Mingan, but whale watchers are impatiently awaiting their arrival. This species of dolphin is usually seen in large, very active herds, with individual animals often breaching unexpectedly. Another species, the white-beaked dolphin, also frequents the St. Lawrence, however it is more often observed in the northern waters of the Gulf. The white-sided dolphin occasionally visits the Estuary, but there have been very few sightings of white-beaked dolphins over the last twenty years. Humpback whale cruising a boat Nocturne, a female humpback whale often seen in the Mingan-Anticosti area, is well known for her curiosity concerning whale-watching boats. Monday, a male humpback known as Spines came very close to a whale-watching boat and appeared very curious as well. It swam around the boat for three quarters of an hour, sticking its head out of the water now and then, as if inspecting the passengers. This is a rare behaviour. Whales are usually busy with other, more important activities, and do not bother with boats. They come into the nutrient rich waters of the St. Lawrence to feed and stock up on energy reserves. One should not expect this type of encounter during a cruise, especially since the code of ethics for whale watching in the St. Lawrence recommends that boats not actively approach whales closer than 200 metres. Obviously, it could happen by chance that a boat crosses a whale's path and that the passengers get to see the whale closer. It is always a privilege. Spines is one of the 20 odd humpback whales that are presently in the Mingan area. Plenty of porpoises! Harbour porpoises are abundant throughout the St. Lawrence. They have been caught snoozing at the surface, young porpoises have been spotted beside their mothers and they have even been seen swimming just below the surface very near boats. They may be small, but they are fascinating to observe, as much from a boat as from shore. If you wish to observe them, be vigilant, be patient and choose a calm day. 23 August 2001, vol. 5 no 33 Right whales in Mingan The MICS research team spotted two right whales near Mingan on August 16. Both were adult whales and the team was able to photograph them, which means that they will be able to identify these individuals. The researchers witnessed an impressive show as the right whales rolled over each other, brought their heads out of the water together and maintained close physical contact. Could it have been a mating ritual? We're not sure, however we're right in the middle of the time of the year when many right whales are gathering in the Bay of Fundy to partake in various forms of mating behaviour. Surprises in the fog The rain and fog have been hanging around the Tadoussac area for a week now. On occasion, the gloomy weather has made whale watching difficult. However, numerous whale watchers have spent some magic moments with the whales. On August 21, for example, a sperm whale, a mythical creature if ever there was one, was seen just off Les Bergeronnes. On the morning of August 22, during a cruise that started out rather glum, visibility suddenly improved and passengers were able to observe harbour porpoises and grey seals. Suddenly, a fin whale rose up in front of the boat, surface feeding. Gaping mouth emerging from the depths, pectoral fin and half of the tail pointing skyward, now there's a sight to take your breath away! The animal in question was moving very slowly, as if in slow motion, and surfaced on several occasions in the same manner in a circular pattern. It was even possible to watch it just below the surface, mere metres from the boat. Its huge head twisted towards the depths as it turned, presenting the whole side of its body to impressed admirers. Unforgettable… A synchronized demonstration Two humpback whales were seen together near Gaspé this week. They were perfectly synchonized as they slapped their tails on the water for a good fifteen minutes. We don’t know for sure why humpback whales do this. Male humpbacks behave this way on mating grounds, for courtship purposes and masculine competitions. It is a little more difficult to interpret these demonstrations on their feeding grounds. Are these predatory tactics? Is it aggressive behaviour? Or are they just getting into shape for the mating season? 30 August 2001, vol. 5 no 34 Stranding of a pygmy sperm whale in Minganie On August 21, in the île Saint-Charles area, a very strange cetacean was found stranded on the beach. It was approximately three metres long with a mouth on the ventral side full of pointy teeth and a coloration pattern imitating gills on either side of the head. It could almost have been mistaken for a shark. It turned out to be a pygmy sperm whale. This is a very rare species along the Canadian portion of the Atlantic coast. As it stands, there have been only three other sightings of this species on Canada’s East Coast, all of them strandings. The first one dates back to 1920 near Halifax, the second was on Sable Island in 1969 and the third in 1989 was on Miquelon Island. The pygmy sperm whale is a rather solitary and discreet animal, and it may be more abundant than these scattered observations suggest. Unfortunately, the carcass floated away on the rising tide. However, a team from Parks Canada was able to take pictures and extract a few teeth. Fisheries and Oceans Canada will analyze the teeth in order to determine the animal’s age. In Gaspésie These days, cetaceans abound in this area of the Gulf. Ten to twelve humpback whales, as well as several fin whales, harbour porpoises and Atlantic white-sided dolphins, offered up quite a show in Gaspé Bay. As well, there were whales sighted from the Grande-Grave wharf. Near Percé, 400 to 500 dolphins presented spectacular acrobatic feats. They were even seen racing alongside a boat. Humpback whales were also spotted in this area, among them were two cow/calf pairs. A fin whale in the humpback whales’ dinner plate In the Mingan area, three humpback whales were actively feasting on a patch of krill near the surface. The three whales deployed various strategies in order to gorge themselves as efficiently as possible. They were seen leaping out of the water, coming to the surface on their sides and blowing bubbles. When a fin whale appeared in their midst, the humpback whales signalled their displeasure with aggressive, sonorous trumpeting. Did the fin whale take the hint? Apparently not, it stuck around to partake of the feast. What are fin whales doing in the Estuary? Up until now, the 2001 season has been a rather strange one. Fin whales
are few and far between, dispersed throughout the Lower Estuary. Data
collected over the past eight years by the Maurice Lamontagne Institute
(MLI, Fisheries and Oceans) and the GREMM has demonstrated that, in this
area, the more abundant the krill, the more fin whales disperse. 6 September 2001, vol. 5 no 35 Dolphins in the Estuary A group of 200 Atlantic white-sided dolphins impressed whale watchers at Sainte-Anne-de-Portneuf on the evening of September 1. There were many yearlings in this very active group. Most of the information concerning the social structure of white-sided dolphin groups comes from mass strandings. Apparently the majority of these groups are composed of females with their offspring and adult males, while other groups are composed of weaned immature youths. This species has also been abundant in Gaspésie in recent days. The white-sided dolphin frequents the Gulf of St. Lawrence in summer; it is most often observed in the south-western Gulf and near the Mingan Archipelago. On the other hand, excursions into the Estuary are quite rare and of short duration and, as it turns out, this group was not re-sighted in the Estuary this week. Zipper and company Zipper was photographed between Tadoussac and Les Bergeronnes this week. This female fin whale was sighted in the Estuary in the spring, but remained discreet for the rest of the season. Zipper has been photographed every year since 1994, with the exception of 1997. Photographs taken this week by one of GREMM’s research assistants reveal this whale’s characteristic scar that resembles a zipper, likely a souvenir from a boat propeller. This year, fin whales have been few and far between in the Estuary. However, several "regulars" have been spotted. Over the course of the summer, GREMM has managed to photograph Pulpeuse, U2, Le Bossu, Capitaine Crochet and Vergetures, to name but a few. The St. Lawrence blues Blue whales are present throughout the St. Lawrence. One of two of these giants, that were swimming near Gaspé, fluked up as it dove. Other blues were spotted along the shore near Sainte-Anne-des-Monts. Whale watchers and MICS research assistants working in the Sainte-Anne-de-Portneuf area also spotted several blue whales. These whales were constantly on the move this week. Were they searching for rare banks of krill? Further upstream in the Estuary, near Les Escoumins, lucky whale watchers also had the pleasure of observing these immense whales. This year, many blue whales were seen upstream from Les Bergeronnes, which usually represents the upstream limit for this species. This week, however, blue whales were more or less absent from the Tadoussac–Les Bergeronnes area. 13 September 2001, vol. 5 no 36 Feeding at the mouth The fin whale is usually the principal species observed by whale watchers in the Tadoussac area. However, this summer fin whales have been discrete in the Lower Estuary. Fortunately other species were present to take up the slack. Worth noting is the remarkable presence of minke whales at the mouth of the Saguenay. Every day, several of these animals that measure 6 to 8 metres in length can be found in the zone where the waters of the Saguenay and the St. Lawrence meet. Here, beneath the surface, schools of fish and other prey gather, more or less against their will, stuck between two water masses. Here, minke whales outdo each other with acts of prowess and acrobatics in order to fill their bellies before the amazed gazes of experienced and novice whale watchers alike. Keep an eye open, this spectacle is even visible from land either at Pointe-Noire or on the Tadoussac side of the Saguenay, or even from the ferry that links Baie-Sainte-Catherine to the North Shore. Exuberant behaviour Last week, whale watchers in Mingan were spoiled. Humpback whales behaved in ways that could be described conservatively as exuberant: lobtailing, flippering, breaching and tail breaching. These humpback whales were feasting on krill and were accompanied by fin whales. Humpback whales were also breaching in Percé this week. One lucky whale watcher even managed a few pictures. Autumn migrations A group of around 250 Canada geese were seen at Sainte-Félicité-de-Matane. Generally, these birds spend the summer further north mating and raising their offspring, although a growing number of them stay at our latitudes for the warm season. Several species of migratory birds have begun their long journey. The St. Lawrence is a very good place to watch the aerial parade. For example, in Tadoussac researchers and volunteers gather to inventory migrating birds of prey from an observation post situated near the Maison des Dunes. From the end of August to the end of November 14 different species will pass overhead, for a total of 15 000 to 25 000 birds of prey. 20 September 2001, vol. 5 no 37 Mission krill A team from the Department of Fisheries and Oceans’ Maurice Lamontagne Institute is on a mission to research krill in the Lower St. Lawrence Estuary. The mission consists of collecting data on the abundance and distribution of krill between September 17 and 22. The research team, under the direction of Michel Harvey and Jean-Francois Saint-Pierre, is working aboard the Canadian Coast Guard icebreaker the Martha L. Black. Krill interests researchers, but it also interests whales. Fifteen blue whales and several fin whales were present between Les Escoumins and Sainte-Anne-de-Portneuf this week. Several blue whales were also observed off Mingan and Gaspésie. Krill was particularly abundant in Gaspésie this week. Large clouds of it could be seen at the surface near Percé, colouring the surface of the water red. Herring was feeding on it; however, by coming to the surface they exposed themselves to becoming the prey of gannets. Were the fin whales, which were also hunting, feeding on herring or krill? It is hard to say. The food web is as complex as it is interesting. Another right whale off Percé Percé is decidedly becoming a hot spot for right whales. Another right whale was seen off Percé on Friday, September 14 and then again on Saturday from the shore, and again on Monday morning. The whale was shy, but whale watchers were able to snap a couple of pictures from a distance. These pictures may allow researchers to identify this individual among the 300 or so that make up the North Atlantic right whale catalogue. Most right whales seen in this area since 1995 have been spotted near Cape Espoir. The name of this cape, which means "hope" in English, reminds us that each sighting of a representative of this species raises hope for its recovery. The Mingan humpbacks Members of the MICS team, led by Richard Sears, had their hands full this week. Approximately 70 humpback whales, thirty fin whales and six blue whales were patrolling their sector. MICS researchers attempted to take photos of as many animals as possible, as each one has characteristic markings that allow the researchers to distinguish and recognize individual animals. Other research teams, like GREMM in Tadoussac and ORES in Les Bergeronnes, are pursuing the same type of research in other parts of the St. Lawrence. These long-term photo-identification programmes help biologists answer a multitude of questions concerning the distribution patterns and movements of the whales of the St. Lawrence. A grey seal summer Many observers have noted that grey seals have been abundant this summer, both in the Estuary and in Gaspésie. They were often even seen in groups. It is difficult to know exactly why this is. The best we can do is hypothesize. Is it because of a change in water temperature and the movement of fish? Is it a cyclical phenomenon? Is it because the grey seal population is growing and consequently so is its distribution area? As it turns out, several species of St. Lawrence marine mammals had atypical distribution patterns over the summer. For example, fin whales, which are usually abundant and quite dense at the head of the Laurentian Channel, have remained sparse in the Lower Estuary. There is also the case of the hooded seals. The Maurice Lamontagne Institute has received many calls this summer of young hooded seals that had come ashore as far upstream as Quebec City or even Montreal. Some of these seals, which are described as a northern species, have been found as far south as the Caribbean. This just goes to show that despite the various research programmes undertaken on the marine mammals of the St. Lawrence, these animals, and their underwater world, still remain mysterious. 27 September 2001, vol. 5 no 38 Sperm whales galore! One of our network observers encountered at least seven, possibly eight sperm whales downstream from Les Escoumins on Friday, September 21. He immediately contacted the GREMM research team in Tadoussac. The team was dispatched and managed to find and photograph the whales. Pictures of the sperm whales allowed researchers to identify seven individuals, two of which, Nestor and Rackam, had already been photographed in the Estuary. GREMM has been documenting the arrival of sperm whales in the Estuary since 1991. Sixteen different sperm whales were identified between 1991 and 2000 by shots of the undersides of their tails. Some of them have been photographed for more than one season. Sightings average one to four animals, however as many as 15 sperm whales were observed at one time off Cap-de-Bon-Désir. They generally spend very little lime in the area. In search of right whales in the St. Lawrence An international team made up of specialists from East Coast Ecosystems and the New England Aquarium flew over the Percé area last September 21. The purpose of the flight was to spot and identify right whales in this area, which has been frequented sporadically by this species since 1995. The North Atlantic right whale is threatened with extinction. Several clues point to the existence of one or several yet undiscovered critical right whale habitats. Could the St. Lawrence be one of their secret bases? The research team hopes to conduct more flights over the next few seasons. Their purpose is to document more precisely the importance of the St. Lawrence for this species. Friday’s flight allowed members of the team to spot and identify right whale number 2610, a female that had been photographed for the first time in 1996, already an adult at that time. A new humpback whale in the Estuary Before 1997, it was generally rare to see humpback whales in the Estuary. Since then the length of their visits has increased, as has the number of individuals seen in the area at the same time. A new individual may soon be added to the list of humpback whales to have visited the Estuary. One of GREMM’s research assistants observed it on September 23 and 24. Confirmation that it is in fact a new individual should be possible when photographs are developed and compared with the humpback whale catalogue. The MICS research team is presently working to identify the fifty humpback whales in the Mingan area. This species is also more abundant between Mingan and Anticosti Island than it was ten years ago. The coloration pattern on the underside of the tail, along with the shape of the dorsal fin, allows researchers to identify individuals of this species. 4 October 2001, vol. 5 no 39 A humpback whale explores the Saguenay Saturday, September 29, several observers were surprised when they encountered a humpback whale at the mouth of the Saguenay. The whale dove for long periods of time and swam great distances below the surface between breaths. It made its way into Tadoussac Bay and fluked up as it dove near the pontoons of the marina. Its excursion lasted only a few hours. Near the end of the day it was photographed by the ORES research group downstream from the mouth of the Saguenay, off Granite Cape. It is rare to see this species in the Saguenay, yet two other events like this one were reported recently: one on July 7 of this year and the other in August of last year. Autumn blows into the St. Lawrence Autumn, as we all know, means rich colours, cooler temperatures and shorter days. It is also a time when whales are still quite numerous in the St. Lawrence. Conditions permitting, whale watchers have a good chance of experiencing special encounters. However, more often than not, autumn is also a time when going to sea means having to contend with strong winds and rough seas. Nonetheless, this week Whale News Network observers managed some very worthwhile outings. In Mingan, the MICS team braved the wind for a short expedition on Saturday. They worked with several humpback and fin whales, and encountered a dozen minke whales, scads of harbour porpoises and heaps of grey seals. On the Gaspésie side of the Gulf, our observers from Percé took advantage of a calm period to head out to sea on Sunday. During their voyage they spotted six humpback whales, one fin whale and many Atlantic white-sided dolphins. Blue whales and fin whales are abundant in the Estuary with approximately 20 representatives of each species observed between Sainte-Anne-de-Portneuf and Les Escoumins. As for minke whales, they are the joy of observers further upstream in the Tadoussac area. Along with the regular visitors, several yearling minke calves have now mastered the art of surface feeding. Beached whales A whale will often float several days after it has died. The carcass is then carried by currents and tides and can end up stranded on a beach. Lena Measures’ team from the Maurice Lamontagne Institute supervises a network for the recovery of carcasses in the St. Lawrence. Last September 25, a young male beluga whale was found stranded on île Verte (Green Island) in the Estuary. The carcass was quite fresh and was transported to the University of Montreal’s Faculty of Veterinary Medicine at Sainte-Hyacinthe. Daniel Martineau’s team will carry out a full analysis to evaluate the probable cause of death and other pathologies. Another beluga whale carcass, a young adult, was found at Pointe-au-Père on October 2. This one was also transported to Sainte-Hyacinthe for a necropsy. It is the ninth beluga carcass to be found on the shores of the St. Lawrence this year. Approximately fifteen beluga carcasses have revealed their secrets to researchers every year since the end of the 1980s. What do they die from? An examination of these carcasses has revealed uncommon health problems in this population, problems that are related to chemical contaminants present in their environment. 
A rare visitor in the Estuary On October 3, near île Verte, a rare visitor caught the attention of GREMM's research team: a Leach’s storm petrel. This bird nests in the Gulf of St. Lawrence and usually frequents the open sea. It uses its sense of smell to find its prey: mainly plankton, small fish and squid. 11 October 2001, vol. 5 no 40 At the mouth Minke whales continue to be very present at the mouth of the Saguenay. Whale watchers usually see a small blow followed by a black back with a very curved dorsal fin. If you see white instead of black, you either witnessed a beluga whale, or a minke whale that was feeding near the surface. Surface feeding strategies tend to force whales to bring more of their bodies out of the water than usual. During various manoeuvres, it is possible to see the throat, the belly, possibly the pectoral fins or even part of the whale’s tail. This makes for an impressive display! Keep in mind that although the minke whale is considered a relatively small whale, it still measures between 6 and 9 metres and weighs between 6 and 8 tonnes. Blue heaven The area offshore between Les Escoumins and Sainte-Anne-de-Portneuf was blue whale heaven once again this week. Our observers spotted around twenty blue whales, three of which fluked up each time they dove. A handful of fin whales were seen swimming among them. End of season in Mingan Members of the MICS team were working hard this week to winterize their research station in Mingan. Thus, one of the Whale News Network observation posts will be shut down for the cold season. This is also the case for several other observations posts in other regions of the St. Lawrence. Although they will no longer be present at sea, many of our observers will continue a visual vigil from shore to keep us up to date on the secrets of the St. Lawrence over the winter. In Gaspésie Whales continue to thrill both land-based and ocean-going whale watchers in Percé. Eight humpback whales, as well as a multitude of minke whales and harbour porpoises, were reported in the area. Weather conditions did not always allow whale watchers to go to sea to encounter them. However, our observers did manage to go out on the morning of October 10, at which time they were able to admire a dozen hunting fin whales. The whales often turned on their sides, pectoral fins pointing skyward, as they feasted. Circling gulls managed to scrounge leftovers of the gargantuan meal. 18 October 2001, vol. 5 no 41 Dream cruise Every year the St. Lawrence welcomes a growing number of luxury cruise vessels. This fall, approximately sixty such cruises docked in Québec City. Scenery, fall colours, whales and regional history are among the attractions that incite the well to do of this world to discover the Gulf and Estuary of the St. Lawrence. Pilots of the Lower St. Lawrence accompany these floating cities between Les Escoumins and Québec City ensuring safe and efficient navigation. Historians and naturalists are also often aboard. Tadoussac based GREMM, for example, has supplied naturalist services to some thirty cruises that sailed through the Saguenay–St. Lawrence Marine Park this fall. Jellyfish Jellyfish invaded the mouth of the Saguenay last Tuesday and floated into Tadoussac Bay on the rising tide. Ten to 15 cm in diameter, these animals, known as "lion's mane" jellyfish or Cyanea capillata, are characterized by a dark red centre. They can grow to impressive dimensions, some attaining 2 metres in diametre! We are likely witnessing what specialists refer to as a "bloom"; a phenomena that is much more common in the Golf than in the Lower Estuary. In general these blooms are considered unpredictable. However, in the case of the lion's mane jellyfish, they often coincide with cold-water upwellings. Did the strong fall tides intensify the upward movement of water typical of the mouth of the Saguenay? At this time of the year, lion’s mane jellyfish are releasing larvae that will attach themselves and will develop into small polyps. In the spring, this attached form transforms into young jellyfish ready to head out to sea. 25 October 2001, vol. 5 no 42 Back to homeport The sailing season is coming to a close on the St. Lawrence; boats are leaving the waves one by one to find their way back to their wintering grounds. The curious and the nostalgic came together at the mouth of the Saguenay on the weekend as most of the boats and pontoons from the Tadoussac marina were floated into dry-dock on the autumn high tide. A very large tidal amplitude is necessary so that larger vessels can sail freely into dry-dock. This is one of the rare natural dry-docks in existence in North America. Elsewhere in the St. Lawrence boats will winter-over in various ways. In Sept-îles, a crane lifts boats out of the water to deposit them in their cradles in dry-dock. Often boat owners take advantage of boat launches to tow their boats to winter headquarters, be it the back yard or a boat park. Certain large fishing vessels spend a less cushy winter; they get moved off the docks where they become caught in the ice for several months. Not all boats have given up. Several cruise boats in Tadoussac will be offering encounters with whales up until November 11. Some scallop fishermen will carry on for a few more weeks on the Lower North Shore and surf clams are still being collected near Sainte-Anne-de-Portneuf. All too soon, however, the St. Lawrence will once again belong to a few ferries, cargo vessels and icebreakers, at least until spring. There she blows! Boats may well be slowly retiring for winter; whales, on the other hand, are still present. Our observer from Sainte-Anne-de-Portneuf encountered blue whales, fin whales and even a large herd of Atlantic white-sided dolphins on one his last outings of the season. These elegant dolphins, rapid and agile, are but occasional visitors to the Estuary. They are more often found in the Gulf. Several blue whales were seen off Les Escoumins, and a humpback whale was spotted near the Escoumins ferry terminal. Minke whales are still spread out along the coast and belugas are still cruising off the Charlevoix coast, up the Saguenay and along the North Shore as far as Cap-de-Bon-Desir. So, although boats no longer make their way offshore as much as before, by gazing out to sea we may see whales, often close to shore. 1 November 2001, vol. 5 no 43 Phantom pilot whales in the Estuary On August 31, 1930, twenty-seven long-finned pilot whales beached just west of Trois-Pistoles on Morency strand. You may think this is old news. It is. However it still deserves front-page coverage as sightings of pilot whales in the St. Lawrence Estuary can be counted on the fingers of one hand. As well, it is the only record of a mass stranding in this region. This particularly gregarious species frequents the waters of the Gulf of St. Lawrence, more specifically the area off the Gaspé Peninsula. Mass strandings of pilot whales have been recorded in the past in Eastern Canada, sometimes involving more than 200 animals. Navigational error, group solidarity towards an animal in distress, infectious disease and parasites are among the numerous hypotheses. There does not appear to be one unique cause that can explain all stranding episodes. Thanks to our collaborator from Trois-Pistoles, who sent us the previously unpublished archival documents, this event will now become part of our common knowledge concerning St. Lawrence cetaceans. These pilot whales of a bygone era arrived like phantoms on the Whale News Network … just in time for Halloween. 8 November 2001, vol. 5 no 44 A giant comes ashore in the Magdalene Islands A whale carcass beached near Étang-des-Caps on Havre Aubert Island in the Magdalene Islands on October 28. It had been drifting in the area since October 25. It was at first thought to be a fin whale or a young blue whale given its imposing size and the presence of baleen plates in its mouth. It turned out to be a species that is rare in the St. Lawrence; a North Atlantic right whale. As this species is endangered, a team of Canadian and American specialists made their way on site to perform a necropsy. The team was made up of ten researchers affiliated with the Maurice Lamontagne Institute (Fisheries and Oceans Canada), the Atlantic Veterinary College (University of Prince Edward Island), the New England Aquarium, the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution and the Center for Coastal Studies. An examination of the carcass allowed researchers to identify the adult male animal from among the 350 individuals in the North Atlantic right whale catalogue. Listed as #1238, the wale has been on file since 1982. The whale appears to have died three or four weeks ago as a result of entanglement in fishing gear. The green line had strapped the whale’s pectoral fins to its body and passed through its mouth as well as around its tail. The last sighting of this animal dates back to last June 25 when it was photographed swimming freely near Cape Cod. The examination of the carcass also allowed researchers to take samples that will prove useful for various research programmes. The skeleton will be recovered and mounted for public presentation at the Royal Ontario Museum in Toronto. Live right whales are spotted every year in the Gulf of St. Lawrence, particularly in the area around Percé. This population, once abundant, was decimated by hunting. Presently, one third of all annual deaths of representatives of this species are related to accidental entanglement in fishing gear and boat collisions. [Thanks to Lena Measures, IML, MPO] 15 November 2001, vol. 5 no 45 Are there still whales in the St. Lawrence? You bet! The shores of the St. Lawrence took on the look of winter this week, but that does not appear to affect the whales that continue to blow offshore. Belugas are still filing past the mouth of the Saguenay. From the warm confines of their office, members of the GREMM team spotted Pascolio, a beluga whale that is easily recognizable by a major vertebral deformity. Minke whales are also still quite numerous in the Estuary and Gulf. Large blows have been sighted between Les Escoumins and Forestville: blue whales have been seen near shore and offshore through binoculars. There were likely fin whales among them. Ten days ago, an excursion further along the North Shore near Sept-Îles produced photographs of a fin whale and four blue whales. The photographs, which were analysed by the MICS, revealed that one of the giant blue whales was a female that had spent a good part of the summer in the area near Sainte-Anne-de-Portneuf with its young calf. Blows can be seen clearly from the coast in Gaspésie, however the distance is too great for species identification. Are they fin whales, blue whales or humpback whales? Anything’s possible. Grey seals, harbour seals, and marine birds in their winter plumage complete the overall list of sightings for the various regions of the maritime portion of the St. Lawrence. Avid observers with a penchant for marine life still have more than enough to satisfy their appetites. 22 November 2001, vol. 5 no 46 Sparring with winter in the St. Lawrence As they do every year in early November, three huge Canadian Coast Guard icebreaker-navaids tender boats are busy preparing the commercial navigational aid network for winter in the St. Lawrence. From Beauharnois to Blanc-Sablon, including the Magdalene Islands and the Gaspé Peninsula, the lighted buoys of summer will be removed or replaced by winter spars. Spars are large floating cylinders of steel that can be as much as 10 m long and weigh 3 800 kg. This type of buoy is designed to lay flat on the surface of the water when ice accumulates at its base. The Martha L. Black was at the mouth of the Saguenay last weekend after having worked in the areas of Blanc-Sablon, Anticosti, Port-Cartier, Godbout, Sept-îles and Gaspésie during the first part of November. A Canadian Coast Guard research project is underway to build lighted buoys that could resist the hardships of winter. The first tests, which took place in January 2000 on St. Pierre Lake, were promising. Until these revolutionary buoys are perfected, the 430 commercial summer buoys will continue to be stored at Québec City and Sorel every winter where they will undergo routine maintenance. Meanwhile, the 235 spars will allow commercial vessels to navigate safely through our temperamental winter seas. [Thanks to Sylvie Pelletier of the Canadian Coast Guard] 29 November 2001, vol. 5 no 47 A tour of the horizon Where are the whales? Some have surely left the waters of the St. Lawrence, carrying with them well earned fat reserves that will allow them to undertake long migrations towards their mating grounds. Where are their mating grounds? North Atlantic humpback whales migrate essentially to the West Indies to mate. As for the other species, where they go remains a mystery. Network observers, scanning the horizon, managed to spot a few whales this past week. Some belugas are still hanging around their summer distribution area at the mouth of the Saguenay. They will eventually head downstream in the Estuary for winter. Minke whales dot the coastal waters of the St. Lawrence, while the powerful blows of blue whales punctuate the North Shore between Les Escoumins and Sept-îles. In Gaspé Bay, six humpback whales and around thirty harbour porpoises showed up in time to help celebrate a late beginning of winter for our observers in that area. The temperate weather and the presence of whales are nearly enough to make one forget that December is nearly here! 6 December 2001, vol. 5 no 48 Special correspondent Scientists from the Maurice Lamontagne Institute (Department of Fisheries and Oceans Canada) are presenting an unusual window onto the world of the whales of the St. Lawrence at this time of year. From November 29 to December 9, a team led by Alain Gagné will be criss-crossing the Estuary and Gulf of the St. Lawrence aboard the research vessel Hudson. Their mission is to collect information on ice, the physical and chemical composition of water, zooplankton as well as the distribution and abundance of marine mammals. They have already sent us some preliminary results: hold on to your hats! Strong winds are raging on the west coast of Newfoundland and off Anticosti; snow, rain and huge waves are reducing visibility and rendering the use of crow’s nests dangerous. However, researchers have seen blows north of Cape Breton Island, near Newfoundland and along the North Shore. They also spotted a pilot whale in Belle Isle Straight, a group of 40 to 65 Atlantic white-sided dolphins some forty kilometres south of Sept-îles, as well as a pair of dolphins north of Cape Breton Island and another one east of Anticosti, species undetermined. We should be receiving further news next week. Elsewhere in the St. Lawrence, our observers reported the presence of belugas and a minke whale at the mouth of the Saguenay. A dozen U.B.W.s (Unidentified Blowing Whales) appeared off Bonaventure Island to the delight of several faithful land-based whale watchers defying the grey weather. Keep an eye out! 13 December 2001, vol. 5 no 49 Beaching of a live sperm whale Last Sunday a large sperm whale, probably a male, became stranded on the western tip of Prince Edward Island. A team from Prince Edward Island Environment and Fisheries and Oceans Canada made various attempts to push the animal back out to sea. All of their efforts failed. The sperm whale invariably came back into shallow water a hundred metres from the shore. Two veterinary pathologists from the Atlantic Veterinary College, Pierre-Yves Daoust and Art Ortenburger, were dispatched to the site to evaluate the animal’s status. It appeared to be quite thin and condemned to a certain death. Conditions did not allow the pathologists to perform euthanasia. The giant succumbed on Wednesday. The veterinary pathologists will proceed with a necropsy to determine probable cause of death and obtain various samples that will be sent to several research groups that study the whales of the St. Lawrence. Photographs of the tail and flanks of the sperm whale will allow researchers to determine if the animal was one of those catalogued by the GREMM in the St. Lawrence Estuary, or by Hal Whitehead’s team off Nova Scotia. This type of stranding occurs occasionally on Prince Edward Island. For example, in 1988, six sperm whales beached themselves. Two of them died quickly and the other four were moved offshore. Why do whales beach themselves? Do they wander off course due to variations in the Earth’s magnetic field? Are they subjected to illness that affects their navigational orientation? Are they caught off guard by the tide? These strandings, generally quite rare, probably have multiple causes. Eagle eyes The Department of Fisheries and Oceans Canada vessel, Hudson, returned from a two-week mission in the Gulf and Estuary of the St. Lawrence on Sunday. Scientists from the Maurice Lamontagne Institute report having seen blows that were difficult to identify at night in the Estuary. One remarkable sighting: in the early hours of the morning a group of five fin whales was spotted about two kilometres from Canso Straight which separates Cape Breton Island from Nova Scotia, a cow/calf pair among them. Completing the tableau were more than 30 bald eagles flying over the surface that was teaming with fish and gulls. Nearly a hundred more of these birds of prey were perched nearby, observing the activity. [Thanks to Yves Morin, MLI] News from the Estuary Blue whales are still plying the waters in the Escoumins area. Our collaborator on the scene counted at least seven of these giants while eating breakfast Wednesday morning! Small groups of beluga whales are spotted regularly near Tadoussac. A minke whale has also been observed hanging about the mouth of the Saguenay these days. Judging by the spectacular way it surfaces and its intense level of activity, it is likely pursuing schools of fish. Long live the winter whales! 20 Decembre 2001, vol. 5 no 50 On the ice Harps seals could be seen basking on the icy shores of the village of Sainte-Luce a dozen kilometres from Rimouski. Onlookers strolling by were delighted as they admired the seals that were calmly lying around on the ice as if waiting for the festivities, which are fast approaching. There will be more and more of these winter visitors in the Estuary and Gulf in the weeks to come. Land-based lookout Our North Shore and Gaspesian observers are scanning the waters not by boat, but from the shore, on foot and even on cross-country skis. Equipped with high-powered telescopes or with nothing more than an experienced set of eyes, they regularly spot marine mammals. This week’s report includes a minke whale at the mouth of the Saguenay, two blue whales off Les Escoumins, three to five whales blowing in the Pointe-à-Boisvert area and two feeding fin whales in Gaspé Bay, which was also visited by around fifteen harp seals. Plenty of activity for the festive season! As the marine mammals are so fond of saying: have a fishy Christmas and good tide(ings) to all! |