Wildlife Species

Every year, 13 species of whales frequent the waters of the Estuary and Gulf of St. Lawrence. This is why the Côte-Nord coastline from Tadoussac to Blanc-Sablon has been designated the Whale Route. It also explains the presence of four world-renowned research groups in this region. To find out more about these marine mammals, consult the Whale Watching tab.

Four species of seals can also be found in our waters:

• Harbour seals: About 2000 harbour seals are found in the waters of the Estuary and Gulf of St. Lawrence. The smallest of the four species, harbour seals are also the only seals to overwinter in Québec maritime.
• Grey seals: About 3000 grey seals are found in the waters of the Estuary and Gulf of St. Lawrence. The largest of the four species, grey seals are increasing in numbers.
• Hooded seals: About 600,000 hooded seals are found mostly in the Gulf of St. Lawrence.
• Harp seals: About 6.8 million harp seals can be found in the East Atlantic. By far the most numerous of these four species, they are also the best known as, every winter, tens of thousands of adult females make their way to the pack ice surrounding the Îles de la Madeleine to give birth to their pups.

Seals are easily observable from the shore (from a respectful distance) or during sea excursions—they are curious animals that will often approach visitors. Bic National Park offers at least three activities that focus on the harbour seal, which is also the park’s mascot.

Large and small land mammals are numerous throughout Québec maritime except in the Îles de la Madeleine where they are relatively rare.

• Caribou: Gaspésie National Park is home to the only caribou herd south of the St. Lawrence. A population of over 400,000 caribou also lives in the Fermont region, in Côte-Nord.
• Moose: The largest member of the deer family is the king of the forests of Québec maritime. The moose population has reached an exceptional density in the Matane Wildlife Reserve, where a moose interpretation centre as well as a wide range of observation and interpretive activities will introduce you to this unique animal.
• White-tailed deer: Although white-tailed deer can be found in all the forests of Bas-Saint-Laurent and Gaspésie, the largest population lives on Anticosti Island (in Duplessis, Côte-Nord). Introduced to the island in 1896 by Henri Menier, who owned Anticosti at the time, white-tailed deer have now reached a population of 160,000 animals on a territory of under 8000 km² with a human population of 240 inhabitants!
• Black bears: Black bears are found in many forests of Québec maritime. Although encounters with black bears are rare, if you do see one, back away from it cautiously while making sure it is aware of your presence. Black bears are shy animals, but may become aggressive if they feel threatened. In Côte-Nord, they can be observed at close range and in complete safety in the company of an experienced guide in a building built for this purpose.

The shores, peat bogs, marshes, mixed and boreal forests and alpine tundra of Québec maritime are all habitats that attract, feed and shelter birds of all sizes. The following are some of the most noteworthy species:

• Northern gannets: Northern gannets are one of the most spectacular seabirds found in Québec maritime. Along with 200,000 other birds, approximately 61,000 northern gannet couples nest on Bonaventure Island, in Gaspésie, in the largest and most accessible northern gannet colony in the world.
• Atlantic puffins: In Côte-Nord, the Gulf of St. Lawrence offers favourable environmental conditions for nesting Atlantic puffins. Their clown-like heads and brightly coloured beaks have earned these birds the nickname “sea parrot.” Every year, the Mingan Archipelago National Park Reserve of Canada welcomes a population of Atlantic puffins that steal the spotlight from the many other seabirds found in the archipelago.
• Common eiders: These birds are the largest nesting ducks found in Québec. They live on the shores and islands of the Estuary and Gulf of St. Lawrence, mainly downstream from Kamouraska. Known for their down feathers, they can be observed in many places including Bic National Park (Bas-Saint-Laurent), the Saguenay – St. Lawrence Marine Park (thanks to Société Duvetnor, which manages the islands where the ducks nest) and the Mingan Archipelago National Park Reserve of Canada (Duplessis, Côte-Nord).

Half of the migratory bird sanctuaries in the province of Québec (which are protected under Canadian law) are located in Québec maritime. They can be found in the following locations:

• L’Isle-Verte and Basques Island, in Bas-Saint-Laurent
• Saint-Omer and Bonaventure Island and Percé Rock National Park in Gaspésie
• Rocher aux Oiseaux (Bird Rock) in the Îles de la Madeleine
• Corossol Island in the Sept-Îles Archipelago in Duplessis, Côte-Nord
• Eight sites in Minganie and the Lower North Shore in Duplessis, Côte-Nord

In Québec maritime, aquatic habitats are as diverse as terrestrial ones. The St. Lawrence can be divided into three distinct sectors—the river, estuary and gulf—that are home to completely different species. A multitude of rivers and lakes also provide rich habitats for aquatic animals.

Saltwater species

Several saltwater fish and crustaceans inhabit the waters of Québec maritime, to the delight of seafood lovers. These species include snow crab, lobster and northern shrimp, as well as mackerel, herring and halibut.

Fished for over 400 years in the St. Lawrence Estuary, American eel is still fished commercially in Québec maritime. Rivière-Ouelle is the eel fishing capital of Québec. Fish weirs (the traps used to catch the eels), which are built along the shores of the estuary in Kamouraska, are unique local tourist attractions.

Freshwater species

Although they spend part of their lives in salt water, Atlantic salmon spawn in the fresh waters of rivers where they provide salmon fishers with exciting challenges. Visit the Matane Salmon Observation Centre to learn about the characteristics of the king of our rivers and to observe them making their way upstream. Québec maritime is home to many salmon rivers, including some of the most renowned in the world. For more information, visit www.salmonquebec.com.