The Minke Whale in Gaspésie, Canada
No less than 13 species of marine mammals can be found in the St. Lawrence River at least part of the year. The Minke Whale is undoubtedly the one that is most easily visible, especially because of its particularity in performing spectacular maneuvers on the surface and because it often comes very close to the shore. This is always a delight for walkers and photographers.
The Minke Whale is present in all the oceans of the world, from the tropics to the polar regions. At the level of the St. Lawrence River in Quebec, there are about 4000 individuals. It is the smallest baleen whale in the area. Its body is tapered, the back is dark, the head is pointed and flattened, the pectoral fins are narrow, pointed with broad white bands, and the dorsal fin is sickle-shaped. When it comes up, its blow reaches about 2 meters in height. Its head and dorsal fin are visible almost simultaneously. Despite its small size, it reaches up to 10 meters in length and weighs up to 10 tons.
Its diet consists mainly of krill and small fish in schools such as Capelin (Mallotus villosus), American sand lance (Amnodytes americanus), Herring (Clupea harengus), Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar), etc. The Minke Whale finds its food mostly in shallow areas, bays and fjords. Its hunting technique consists in propeling itself out of the water by throwing open mouth under the schools of fish or krill. The water is then evacuated and the preys are filtered through the baleen.
The species mates between October and March. The female is pregnant for about 10 months. It is estimated that a female produces a young every two years. The farrowing takes place from November to March and the calves are breastfed for about 6 months.
The Committee on the Status of Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC) classified the North Atlantic minke whale populations as "secure" in 2006. And the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) classified the Minke Whale as a "minor concern" on the Red List of Threatened Species. However, there are significant threats like the quality of the water and the availability of the food resource. Direct mortalities due to humans are also frequent (collision with trawlers or poaching for example).
Sightings are regular from March to December, especially in the Gulf of St. Lawrence. The Gaspésie is then a privileged area to observe this fascinating species. The north coast and the Bay of Gaspé offer favorable views to enjoy the Minke Whale. Come hear his breath from the coast!
If you want to see the Minke Whale in Gaspésie, join us on our ethical wildlife tour to Gaspésie.
Thibaut
Guide Salva Fauna
References :
Données d’Observations pour la Reconnaissance et l’Identification de la faune et la flore Subaquatiques (DORIS), Petit Rorqual – Balaenoptera acutorostrata, Lacépède, 1804 – N°1797 : doris.ffessm.fr/Especes/Balaenoptera-acutorostrata-Petit-rorqual-1797
Baleines en Direct, Petit Rorqual : baleinesendirect.org/les-baleines-du-saint-laurent/les-13-especes-du-saint-laurent/petit-rorqual/
Union internationale pour la conservation de la nature (UICN), Common Minke Whale (Balaenoptera acutorostrata) : www.iucnredlist.org/species/2474/50348265 (consulté le 10/06/2019).
