Diving in the shark observation cage during the Brion22 White Shark Expedition in the Magdalen Islands. Image © ORS
Mission | Team | Partners
about
ABOUT
Mission | Team | Partners
Diving in the shark observation cage during the Brion22 White Shark Expedition in the Magdalen Islands. Image © ORS
MISSION
MISSION
The St. Lawrence Shark Observatory (ORS) was the very first independent shark research group and shark charity in Canada. Since its first mission in 1999, the Observatory’s objectives have been to advance scientific knowledge of sharks in the Northwest Atlantic and to promote awareness and conservation of sharks among the general public. For over 20 years, ORS was the only organisation conducting and publishing in-depth studies of St. Lawrence sharks, playing a pioneering role in understanding their ecology and behaviour in this unique and ever-changing environment. Our scientific activities continue to focus on behavioural ecology, conservation biology, and the study of the distribution and movements of sharks in the St. Lawrence, Atlantic Canada, and the Canadian Arctic.
Sharks and dangerous. Why should we help them?
Sharks are dangerous. Why should we help them?
Heard that one before? If the lack of public awareness regarding the presence of sharks in the St. Lawrence is now a thing of the past, it is still difficult to dispel the misconceptions at the source of all shark stereotypes. When dealing with such an ancient and deep-rooted issue, the best approach will always be research and education.
Sharks are essential to the world ocean’s equilibrium.
Sharks are essential to the world ocean’s equilibrium.
Unfortunately, poor research funding, overfishing, and the overall negative public perception on sharks, are leading to their ultimate demise with tragic effects on the environment. With your help, we strive to help reverse this trend in Canada and abroad.
TEAM
TEAM
Our researchers and contributors are dedicated experts from diverse fields working together to better understand and ultimately help protect the most misrepresented yet essential animals in the world ocean, sharks. Although our work in the St. Lawrence could easily employ the entire team on a full-time basis, there is little funding to sustain our work. As a result, all of our field activities and research are conducted on a volunteer basis. What we lack in funding, we more than make up in enthusiasm and resolve!
Jeffrey Gallant, MSc — Founder | Scientific Director
Paul Boissinot — Diving Safety Officer | Director
Marc-André Gaudreau, PhD — Engineering
Patricia Hay — Accounting
Thomas Leszkiewicz, BSc — Science | Director
Our researchers and contributors are dedicated experts from diverse fields working together to better understand and ultimately help protect the most misrepresented yet essential animals in the world ocean, sharks. Although our work in the St. Lawrence could easily employ the entire team on a full-time basis, there is little funding to sustain our work. As a result, all of our field activities and research are conducted on a volunteer basis. What we lack in funding, we more than make up in enthusiasm and resolve!
Jeffrey Gallant, MSc
Founder | Scientific Director
Paul Boissinot
Diving Safety Officer | Director
Marc-André Gaudreau, PhD
Engineering
Patricia Hay
Accounting
Thomas Leszkiewicz, BSc
Science | Director
Science Advisory Board
Science Advisory Board
Chris Harvey-Clark, DVM (Dalhousie University)
Mauricio Hoyos, PhD (Pelagios Kakunjá)
Lyne Morissette, PhD (M – Expertise Marine | Balad’eau)
Chris Harvey-Clark, DVM
Mauricio Hoyos, PhD
Lyne Morissette, PhD
Fisheries Advisors
Fisheries Advisors
Normand Deraspe, Magdalen Islands
Marco Turbide, Magdalen Islands/Gulf
Normand Deraspe, Magdalen Islands
Marco Turbide, Magdalen Islands/Gulf
Partners and Friends
Partners and Friends
We did not get here alone. We have always depended on the support of corporations, institutions and people to sustain our work. These generous contributions and friendships have extended the range and scope of our operations, and they allow us to be more effective and productive in the field. Thank you!
CORPORATE
Aquatica Digital
Boisvert Marine (Sorel-Tracy)
Bombardier Recreational Products (BRP)
Bourret International
Debdive
Deep Trekker
Distillerie du 29 octobre
Écomaris
Evinrude
Force Fin
Groupe Maritime Verreault
Marchés IGA Clément
Ocean Technology Systems (OTS)
REVO Canada
Shearwater Research
Sherwood Scuba
URSUIT OY
CORPORATE
Aquatica Digital
Boisvert Marine (Sorel-Tracy)
Bombardier Recreational Products (BRP)
Bourret International
Debdive
Deep Trekker
Distillerie du 29 octobre
Écomaris
Evinrude
Force Fin
Groupe Maritime Verreault
Marchés IGA Clément
Ocean Technology Systems
REVO Canada
Shearwater Research
Sherwood Scuba
URSUIT OY
EDUCATION & SCIENCE
Aquarium du Québec
Biodôme de Montréal
Bjarnarhöfn Shark Museum
CEGEP de Drummondville
CFP Paul-Rousseau
CNIMI
Dalhousie University
Mingan Island Cetacean Study
Montréal Science Centre
Musée du Fjord
Ripley’s Aquarium of Canada
ROMM
RQUMM
Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières
Ville de Baie-Comeau
Zoo de Granby
EDUCATION & SCIENCE
Aquarium du Québec
Biodôme de Montréal
Bjarnarhöfn Shark Museum
CEGEP de Drummondville
CFP Paul-Rousseau
CNIMI
Dalhousie University
Mingan Island Cetacean Study
Montréal Science Centre
Musée du Fjord
Ripley’s Aquarium of Canada
ROMM
RQUMM
Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières
Ville de Baie-Comeau
Zoo de Granby
PEOPLE
BARRETTE, Blaise
CERNY, Norm & Chantale
DESGAGNÉS, Jean
FOREST, Jean-Yves
GALLANT, Luka
HAY GALLANT, Davy
HILDIBRANDSSON, Guðjón
LACOURSIÈRE, Jacques (1931-2007)
LEDUC, François
LEMAY, Paul (Ex-Officio BM)
MARK, Jane
NADEAU, Daniel
OUELLETTE, Pierre
RIOUX, Roma
ROUSSEL, Maude
SAVIGNAC, Richard
SIMONEAU, Clifford (1959-2005)
SIMARD, Guylaine
PEOPLE
BARRETTE, Blaise
CERNY, Norm & Chantale
DESGAGNÉS, Jean
FOREST, Jean-Yves
GALLANT, Luka
HAY GALLANT, Davy
HILDIBRANDSSON, Guðjón
LACOURSIÈRE, Jacques (1931-2007)
LEDUC, François
LEMAY, Paul (Ex-Officio BM)
MARK, Jane
NADEAU, Daniel
OUELLETTE, Pierre
RIOUX, Roma
ROUSSEL, Maude
SAVIGNAC, Richard
SIMONEAU, Clifford (1959-2005)
SIMARD, Guylaine
Read
In the North Atlantic, the white shark is seasonally present in all of the Maritime provinces, Newfoundland and Labrador, and Québec, including the St. Lawrence.
Shark and seal in New France
by Louis Nicolas circa 1690.
Meet the world's most maligned sea creature, the white shark.
Read
Recent headlines trumpeted the news that Canada has banned shark fins. Too good to be true? Well, it would appear the devil is in the detail…
Shark fins banned in Canada?
Not really.
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The Canadian Shark Attack Registry (CSAR) is the first database of all documented human encounters with sharks that have resulted in injury or death in Canada.
Shark Attacks in Canada
What you need to know.
In the North Atlantic, the white shark is seasonally present in all of the Maritime provinces, Newfoundland and Labrador, and Québec, including the St. Lawrence.
Shark and seal in New France
by Louis Nicolas circa 1690.
Meet the world's most maligned sea creature, the white shark.
Read
Read
Shark fins banned in Canada? Not really.
In the North Atlantic, the white shark is seasonally present in all of the Maritime provinces, Newfoundland and Labrador, and Québec, including the St. Lawrence.
The Canadian Shark Attack Registry is the first database of all documented human encounters with sharks that have resulted in injury or death in Canada.
Shark Attacks in Canada
What you need to know.
Read