Our Team
Board Members

Marine biologist Dany Zbinden has been involved with research projects on whales of the Saint-Lawrence since 1993. As founder and director of the Mériscope since 2001, he has been promoting the development of our research base and the Mériscope team. Dany is directing the research and education program, but he is also engaged in public outreach. Since 2017, he participates in expeditions in Antarctica as guide and lecturer in marine biology during the Southern Hemisphere summer.
Dany: « The evolution towards an environmentally sustainable future of the species Homo sapiens imperatively requires the protection and research of global ecosystems – oceans, forests, polar regions. If we can engage young students in marine ecosystems today and give them technical skills as well as leadership qualities, then these people will be capable of making the right decisions tomorrow. »
Louise Lanoix, a retired accountant from Montreal, has been involved with Mériscope as a volunteer for more than 10 years. From 2006 to 2018, she has been operating an award-winning B&B in a small coastal village of the St. Lawrence North Shore, promoting sustainable eco-tourism, mainly whale-watching and bird-watching. She has been treasurer on our board since 2023.
Her husband, Yves Fabe, is a renowned ornithologist and retired professional photographer, who was instrumental in the creation of a large wetland sanctuary on the upper North Shore. They have supported the Mériscope over all these years and many of our students have had the chance to enjoy their hospitality during a pizza night or a seafood dinner at their B&B.


Johanne Lemieux, a retired educational advisor from Montreal, joined our team in 2013 after a « Sails & Whales » cruise. Johanne manages our shop collection, but she is also supporting all projects related to graphics, editing and video production. In addition, she is contributing her organizational skills, software knowhow, and her immense educational knowledge in multiple projects of the Mériscope, all of which qualities come in handy for her position as secretary on the board as well.
Johanne: « A research station accessible to the public at large like the Mériscope, in a suitable location at the Gulf of St. Lawrence and with a diversity of marine mammals so close to the coast, is a big plus for research, education and public outreach – the three pillars of our mission. »
MérisCool – School Programme
Jacqueline (Jackie) Egger, a high school teacher in biology from Zurich, Switzerland, with a Master degree in zoology, has drawn upon her outstandig educational background to improve exhibits in several zoos and wildlife reserves. Jackie joined our team in 2017 and she is spearheading a new program for primary and high schools called « MérisCool ». She is also involved in the research program, particularly with coordinating all inputs to our photo-ID catalogue of minke whales.
Jackie: « Our field courses offer both young people in education and other nature enthusiasts of all ages the opportunity to experience the sea and its inhabitants first-hand. They get insight into the broad work of field biologists, put in scientific context through workshops and lectures. My biggest wish is to set up a fund (« MériFond ») with the help of external support in order to allow young people with modest financial means to attend our courses, too. »

Our Volunteers
![]() Richard Baron Software Wizard Canada | ![]() Yves Fabe Bird Paparazzo Canada | ![]() Arthur Aubin Pizza Technician USA | ![]() Louise Lanoix Cat Hugger Canada | ![]() André Maltais Shipwreck Hunter Canada |
![]() Andi Baumann Handy Man Switzerland | ![]() Pierre Bolduc Photo Arranger Canada | ![]() Tanja Faeh Crew Animator Switzerland | ![]() Guillaume Savard Minke Whale Spotter Canada | ![]() Urs Zuend Gadget Inventor Switzerland |
![]() Bruno Fortin Robotics Engineer Canada | ![]() Markus Eugster Polar Educator Switzerland | ![]() Albert Tremblay Shipwreck Hunter Canada |