08/13/2026
❗Field Update ❗
Summer is flying by and so are our collaborative Gulf of St. Lawrence surveys! At the end of July, the small boat (30-foot-long rigid hull inflatable – RHIB) surveys with the New England Aquarium (NEAq), the Fédération régionale acadienne des pêcheurs professionnels (FRAPP), and the Équipe de désempêtrement du golfe (EDG) were completed. Along with our science objectives, these surveys aim to give EDG team members additional training when it comes to identifying whales and steering a boat in the presence of whales, which are highly useful skills for them.
After a slow start due to unfavourable weather, the small boat team ended their season on a high note, with five consecutive days on the water! During these five days, they sighted roughly 40 individual right whales, including 6 mom-calf pairs! It is always good to know that calves have successfully migrated from the calving grounds and are thriving 🐋 The team also collected a p**p sample as well as a skin and blubber sample!! These samples are highly valuable as they are used for ongoing studies on their diet, DNA, and hormones. 🧬💩
But we’re not done yet! Since the beginning of August, a crew is back on the chartered crab vessel, the Jean-Denis Martin (65-foot-long)! On this larger vessel, the team can venture further offshore and stay out overnight, which is very valuable to help the team cover more ground. So far, the team has completed 8 survey days and will be surveying until August 16th. They have seen many right whales already, including 2 mother-calf pairs, and lots of leatherback turtles! We wish them continued good weather, zero fog, and many more whales!
Stay tuned for more updates from the field and let us know below what you would like to see from our time on the water. 🐋☀️
