The region is heavily indented with narrow fjords, inlets and bays . Some of the most incredible examples of glacial landforms in Canada are found here. Several glaciers reach the sea. The intertidal zone is subject to extensive scouring by sea ice and is practically barren. The subtidal benthic community is far richer and longer lived.
Fish diversity is low, dominated by Arctic marine species, particularly Arctic cod.
Killer whales , narwhal , belugas and harp seals also use the area as a major migration route. Heavy concentrations of ringed seals are found throughout the region, with lesser numbers of walrus and bearded seals. Harbour seals are found in the south, while polar bears are common throughout the region. Many of the High Arctic bowhead, beluga and narwhal winter in the open pack ice in Davis Strait. Some 400,000 pairs of northern fulmars and thick-billed murres breed in several major colonies along the coast, as well as lesser numbers of black guillemots, common and King eiders and glaucous and Iceland gulls.