OBSERVATIONS OF WHITE WHALES, DELPHINAPTERUS-LEUCAS, IN WATERS OFF NEWFOUNDLAND AND LABRADOR AND IN THE GULF OF ST. LAWRENCE, 1979-1991

Thirty-seven sightings, strandings and gear entrapments of White Whale s (Delphinapterus leucas) made in Newfoundland and Labrador waters and the lower Gulf of St. Lawrence from 1979 to 1991 are reported. Most o f these incidents occurred in the summer months with a mean rate of 2. 6 records per year. Fourteen (38%) of the observed animals were dead w hen discovered; fates of the remaining animals were not recorded. Toxi cological analysis of one animal indicates that it was from an Arctic or Subarctic population. The stock affinities of the other animals wer e uncertain.