Marine Animal Response Society

5 days ago

“Nepi” - the Nepisiguit beluga - has been resighted!

Last week, professional scuba diving students were surprised to be joined by a beluga whale during a dive in Summerside Harbour, PEI - an area where belugas are rarely observed.

By comparing the images taken by the journalist last week with other images taken over the past two years during previous encounters, beluga specialists at Groupe de recherche et d'éducation sur les mammifères marins - GREMM were able to confirm that this individual is in fact Nepi.

Nepi caused much commotion back in June 2017 when he became entrapped in the Nepisiguit River and was relocated back into a pod of belugas in the St. Lawrence Estuary. He wouldn’t be seen again for one year when he was resighted with a another male beluga off Ingonish in July 2018. Since the December 7 observation, the beluga has not been observed again.

It is important to remember that if you see the beluga whale, to keep your distance and slow down, for its safety and yours. According to the Marine Mammal Regulations of the Fisheries Act of Canada, it is prohibited to approach, harm, harass or disturb marine mammals. A distance of 100-metres must be maintained between all vessels and animals.

If you see this beluga, or any other dead or distressed marine animal, in the Maritimes Provinces, please call our toll-free hotline at 1-866-567-6277.

#nepi #beluga #whales #mars ...

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