Our Mission:

Mériscope is a marine research station and an environmental charity organization dedicated to protecting marine mammals and marine ecosystems through research, education, outreach and conservation efforts. Founded in 2001 by the Swiss-Canadian marine biologist Dany Zbinden, Mériscope’s focus is on research and protection of whales in the St. Lawrence Estuary, Québec.

Research: 1) Long-term monitoring of whales through photo-identification, 2) Contaminants and their toxic effects on whales, and 3) Bioacoustics and the effect of acoustic pollution on whales. In close collaboration with universities in Canada, Europe and the U.S., Mériscope has facilitated many research projects on marine mammals over the last 19 years, covering a range of species from harbour porpoises to blue whales. Additionally, under permits from Fisheries and Oceans Canada and Parks Canada, we have created a catalogue of minke whales of the St. Lawrence which currently consists of about 250 individuals. Furthermore, in 2015, we have launched a study on bioaccumulation and biological effects of flame retardants in minke whales and belugas of the St. Lawrence, in close collaboration with the ecotoxicology lab at the Université du Québec à Montréal (UQÀM), which is continuing until today.

Protection: Since 2004, Mériscope has been an active member of the Marine Mammal Emergency Network of Québec (« Réseau québécois d’urgences pour les mammifères marins ») and conducts several operations each year, mainly on stranded animals and drifting whale carcasses. We have also been collaborating as member of various working groups under the auspices of Fisheries and Oceans Canada, aiming to better protect endangered marine mammals such as belugas, blue whales and North Atlantic right whales and to create new marine protected areas. Plus, in 2018, we joined the Canadian Coast Guard Auxiliary as voluntary rescuers for search and rescue operations.

Education: In order to promote education on marine ecosystems and to increase public awareness, Mériscope is offering a credited course program on biology and research of marine mammals, aimed not only at students, but also at the public at large. So far, about 400 interns from 10 countries have participated in this program. In 2019, a new program has been launched under the name « MérisCool », including courses dedicated to high school students, the opportunity to conduct their end of school project at our research station, and workshops and talks for schools in Québec and Switzerland.

Testimonial: « If you like waking up to nature every morning, staying with an incredibly kind team who makes you feel welcome and at home, looking for whales on a zodiac, learn about marine life and participate in actual scientific research and just have an incredible one time experience, definitely come here. We saw porpoises, harbour seals and humpback whales, we saw nine fin whales (the second biggest whales!!) at a time, we were part of two biopsies on minke whales (an impressive experience, you learn a lot, can actually participate and it serves to do good to the whales and our environment) and on one day, we were even so lucky as to see five blue whales, including one calf which came up right next to our zodiac!!! It was really magical. We also went to a museum, had dinner with local friends from Dany, got the chance to have a look at an old ship wreck, swam in the stream, learned some knots and generally just spent a great time together. I immediately felt at home and as if I were with friends (which I was in the end). So unless you're taking away my place when I'll hopefully come back, I'd definitely recommend to go visit Mériscope! :) » (Anouk P., 2018).