The St. Lawrence River is never completely deserted by cetaceans, even in the middle of winter. While some species migrate to warmer waters, others delay their departure, return earlier... or simply never leave our cold waters.
This is the exceptional case of the blue whale. Normally on their way to their breeding grounds at the beginning of winter, a few individuals choose to extend their stay in the St. Lawrence, taking advantage of its nutrient-rich waters up to the ice limits. And sometimes, they even stay for the entire winter!
5 Blue Whales Sighted Earlier This Week!
Last Monday, no less than five blue whales were spotted in the Saguenay–St. Lawrence Marine Park! To explain their recent increased presence, Agathe Poitras, a naturalist guide at Croisières AML, refers to a 2018 study conducted by two researchers from Fisheries and Oceans Canada. The study revealed that krill was more abundant in their monitoring station within the marine park between December and February than during the rest of the year.
“The diet of blue whales consists almost exclusively of krill. They can consume up to sixteen tons of it per day! Krill is a small crustacean, just a few centimeters long and weighing only a few grams, and it is abundant in the St. Lawrence Estuary.”
— Agathe Poitras, Naturalist Guide at Croisières AML
So, keep your eyes peeled if you're near the marine park in the coming weeks!
