Meriscope Information

The Mériscope is a registered non-profit organization in Canada dedicated to protecting marine mammals, other marine life and the marine environment through research, education, outreach and conservation. We are conducting research projects on marine mammals in cooperation with universities, other NGOs and federal authorities. We are promoting education in marine and environmental sciences through a course program in marine biology and our Sails & Whales program. We are actively involved in organizations aiming to protect the marine environment of the St. Lawrence Estuary. We are a member of the Quebec Marine Mammal Emergency Network. The Mériscope is based on the north shore of the St. Lawrence Estuary, about 300 km northeast of Québec City. Activities of the Mériscope: 2001: Launch of a course program in marine biology for students and the general public. 2002: Creation of a network with several universities in Europe and North America. 2003: The Mériscope implemented a wetland sanctuary on the St. Lawrence north shore, in collaboration with other NGOs. 2004: Admission as institutional member to the Quebec Marine Mammal Emergency Network. 2005: The Mériscope lobbied for the St. Lawrence Marine Protected Area; Award for environmental excellence, given by the Tartan order. 2006: Organization of a course in integrated management of coastal areas, in collaboration with the Université du Québec à Rimouski (UQAR). 2007: Endorsement of the Mériscope as a regional key project for sustainable development by the Research Chair of Canada in Rural Development. 2008: 250 participants from 10 countries in our marine biology course program since 2001; Official launch of our project for an interpretation centre and a new research facility. 2009: Acquisition of the NARVAL, a fully equipped rigid-hulled inflatable boat, for research projects, rescue and disentanglement operations. 2010: Development of a model to assist the integrated management of human activities in the proposed St. Lawrence Estuary Marine Protected Area, ...