The Great Blue Whale

The great blue whale may be observed in the St. Lawrence River from May to June, but has a greater presence in August and September. It is the largest of all the whale species. It is a “sea mammal” that can exceed 30 metres in length and could weigh between 80 to 100 tons. It is the largest known living animal on the planet.

The long thin body of the blue whale can take on different shades of bluish-gray on its back, with a little lighter colour of blue on the underside.

There are at least three distinct sub-species of blue whales; those living in both the North Atlantic and North Pacific; those living in the Antarctic Ocean; and those living in the Indian Ocean and the Southern Pacific Ocean.

Like the majority of whales, the blue whale feeds mainly on krill, a small crustacean, but also has been known to devour fish and squid.

There were thousands of blue whales in all of the oceans before the beginning of the 20th century, but the blue whale was almost hunted to extinction for its oil, used to fuel the industrial revolution, before being protected by the International Community in 1966. Today the species is still considered to be threatened.

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Humpback Whale

They are mainly seen in the lower St Lawrence river in the summer in June and July, and sometimes from August till October.

The humpback whale is the favorite subject for whale watching tourism as it often performs spectacular leaps out of the water, called breaches.

Adult individuals are usually 11 to 13 metres in length and may weigh between 25 and 30 tons.

The humpback whale is easily recognizable. The top of the animal is entirely black or dark gray and the underside is rather white.

It has large pectoral fins and a black and white caudal tail fin that come out of the water when the whale dives.

Humpback whales are known not only for their spectacular breaches, but also for their long complex songs that they perform during their mating season. (so it is assumed that these are songs of seduction).

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Fin Whale

After the blue whale, it is the second largest living animal on the planet, with a length of about 20 metres.

The fin whales migrate each year to the Gulf of St. Lawrence in May and can be most frequently seen from July to October, but sometimes even as late as November.

Although there is no official weight measurement for a normal adult fin whale, it is estimated that a 25 metre long adult weighs no less than 40 to 50 tons. Its long streamlined body allows it to move quickly through the water.

This whale species may commonly live for one hundred years, (the oldest one known was about 111 years of age). Yet they are still considered to be a threatened species today. The population of fin whales in the northern hemisphere is estimated to be about 40,000 animals.

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St. Lawrence Beluga

Also called the white porpoise, the beluga is very well known in Quebec. This white cetacean from the Arctic Ocean is very well adapted to life in cold waters. It has a thick layer of fat under the skin, which serves as insulation and energy reserve. It can measure between 3 and 5 meters and weigh from 1 to 2 tons. It is the only cetacean resident year-round in the waters of the St. Lawrence, in which it feeds and breeds.

The population of the St. Lawrence Estuary is geographically isolated from other beluga populations. It is possible to observe them easily from May to October. The St. Lawrence beluga population is estimated at about 1100 individuals (compared to 10 000 before 1885). Pollution from human activities greatly impacts on beluga whales’ health. According to a Canadian researcher, there would be twice as much mercury in belugas and some fish than twenty years ago.

The beluga population in the St. Lawrence is probably the most endangered among beluga populations in the world.

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Minke Whale

The minke whale is easily observed in the St. Lawrence from May to October. With an average length of 6 to 10 meters, the minke whale is the smallest baleen whale. It can weigh from 6 to 10 tons. The minke whale is one of the most frequently observed species when whale watching (especially between Tadoussac and Les Bergeronnes).

From March to December, minke whales travel to the coastal waters of the estuary and the Gulf of St. Lawrence to feed. During summer, minke whales abound at the mouth of the Saguenay Fjord. This small whale has a global distribution, from the tropics to the polar regions. It is common to observe in coastal areas and estuaries. Its world population is estimated at several hundred thousand individuals.

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Harbour Porpoise

These are small cetaceans, measuring from 1.5 to 2 metres long, and thrive in cold waters. They are often seen in the St. Lawrence from late June to late September.

While they are by far the most widespread cetacean species, their numbers are decreasing. Their health is impacted by ocean pollution and human activities, (such as boat and ship transportation). They are therefore considered to be a vulnerable species. In the Gulf of St. Lawrence, the population is estimated to be more than 20,000 individuals.

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The Seals

Three different species of seals can be seen along the shores of the St. Lawrence River and the Saguenay Fjord. Gray seals and harbor seals are present throughout the year, while the harp seal usually visits the St. Lawrence in winter.

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