code Béluga

A community science project on the biodiversity of the St. Lawrence River

Initiated by Génome Québec and Espace pour la vie, code Beluga is a community science project aimed at better understanding the state of biodiversity in the St. Lawrence Estuary just by analysing the environmental DNA contained in a water sample.  During the 12 sampling activities held from May to August 2025, more than 800 people came to lend a hand at one of the four selected sites in the St. Lawrence Estuary.

Following a protocol established by Génome Québec, and with the support of the Biodôme’s education team, the public collected and filtered some 500 water samples on the banks of the river this summer. That’s more than 125 litres of water!

After being meticulously analyzed at the Centre d’expertise et de services Génome Québec, these samples revealed the presence of over 80 different organisms!  A beautiful diversity ranging from small, discreet marine worms to large, majestic marine mammals.

Results

The first results are in! Browse the interactive map and explore the results for each sampling site.

*Note: Starting winter 2026, the research community can request access to raw data through the Genovalia platform.

Watch the clip (in French only)

Launch Recap

code Béluga in the media

Radio interviews

Articles

An infographic by Le Journal de Montréal

Television appearance

TVA Nouvelles CIMT – 5:18 à 7:05 

The initiative will help:

  • Support prevention, monitoring and conservation efforts of key St. Lawrence River species, including the beluga;
  • Better understand the biodiversity and changing environment of the St. Lawrence River Estuary;
  • Mobilize the public around the importance of preserving aquatic ecosystems.

Environmental DNA, how does it work

  • eDNA is much like a genetic fingerprint left by living organisms in their environment. To learn more, visit our Environmental DNA page.

code Béluga at the Biodôme from summer 2025

The Biodôme, one of the five Espace pour la vie museums, will be offering a series of educational activities on the estuary, the beluga and environmental DNA.