Research projects 

Marine mammals—inhabitants of an under-explored world—have always intrigued and fascinated humans. Through scientific research, we are finally getting to know them better. At the same time, we are also gaining a clearer understanding of the challenges they face. Select a species you would like to learn more about. Scroll down to visualize all projects.

• St. Lawrence Beluga
• Blue Whale
• Fin Whale
• North Atlantic right whale
• Minke Whale
• Northern Bottlenose Whale
• Harbour Porpoise
• Harbour Seal
• Multi-species

St. Lawrence Beluga

• Do beluga whales have friends?
• What do belugas die from?
• How many contaminants are found in belugas?
• Is the belugas immune system still intact?
• Are living belugas as contaminated as dead belugas?
• Are we making too much noise?
• How many beluga whales are there?
• Morbillivirus epidemic : a threat for the St. Lawrence beluga ?
• Are beluga whales victims of PAHs?
• What do belugas do underwater?
• Is the accumulation of fire-retardant products in beluga whales a cause for concern?
• Do PAHs (toxic contaminants) cause cancer in St. Lawrence beluga whales?
• What do young beluga whales die of?

Blue Whale

• Who are the St. Lawrence blue whales?
• What do blue whales do underwater?
• Why do St. Lawrence blue whales pair up in the fall?

Fin Whale

• What do fin whales do during the day? And at night?
• What ties unite the fin whales of the North Atlantic?
• Who are the fin whales of the Estuary?
• Does krill influence the dispersal of fin whales?
• Are fin whales at the mercy of available food?
• Are Nova Scotia and St. Lawrence fin whales the same animals?

North Atlantic right whale

• Are the Basques responsible for the decline of North Atlantic right whales?

Minke Whale

• Do minke whales employ unique feeding strategies in the Saguenay Fjord?

Northern Bottlenose Whale

• Who are the northern bottlenose whales of the Scotian Shelf?

Harbour Porpoise

• Are St. Lawrence harbour porpoise still victims of bycatch?

Harbour Seal

• Harbour seals, residents or seasonal visitors?

Multi-species

• Do whale watching boats disturb the whales?
• What are the whale watching boats doing?
• What roles do marine mammals play in St. Lawrence ecosystems?
• Can the great whales of the Estuary tell us where they are?
• What influences the accumulation of whale food in the Estuary?
• Are Gulf of St. Lawrence rorqual whales contaminated?
• Is it possible to do a pregnancy test on free-ranging cetaceans?