Low-lying rocky shores predominate, interspersed with beaches and low eroding cliffs , though cliffs up to 200 m occur locally. Salt marshes and mud flats up to five km in width are common at the head of the bay. The Wildlife More than 800 species of benthic invertebrates have been reported in the marine region. The fish fauna is diverse, with over 100 species typically found in the bay. The more common species include Atlantic cod , herring, various flounders, hake, pollock, redfish, mackerel, haddock, halibut, and assorted sculpins, skates and sharks.
Productivity is exceptionally high, and is greatest at the mouth of the bay.
The area is critically important as a migratory staging area for millions of birds, and is also a significant summering and wintering area. At various times of the year important concentrations of gulls, terns , cormorants, phalaropes, dovekies, razorbills , black guillemots, common murres and sea ducks occur throughout the region. From June to October, important concentrations of harbour porpoises, fin, minke, humpback, and sei whales are found, notably in the outer bay. The mouth of the bay is particularly important as a nursery area for the endangered right whale , mother-calf pairs and juveniles being the most commonly sighted. Harbour seals are resident and abundant.