The sand and gravel bottom typical of the banks is suitable for haddock spawning. Sea Scallop occurs on the Georges and Browns banks, particularly where the bottom consists of firm gravel, shells, and rock. The Ocean Quahog is the main species on Georges Bank and concentrations have been found on the Western and Sable Island banks. Stimpson's Surf Clam occurs on Banquereau. Sandy areas that make up much of Sable Island Bank include organisms such as the sand dollar Echinarachnius parma and the amphipods Unciola irrorata and Leptocheirus pinguis .
Sand dollars are extremely abundant in some locations.
Areas of coarse substrate on the banks support the Horse Mussel, the brittlestar Ophiopholis aculeata , Sea Scallop, lobster, and Toad Crab. Whales occur in the offshore waters, and mass strandings of Atlantic Long-finned Pilot Whale have occurred on Sable Island. Humpback Whales are often associated with offshore banks, where they take advantage of spawning fish such as Capelin, herring, and Sand Lance, as well as larger zooplankton. The area of Browns Bank 60 km south of Cape Sable is visited by about 200 Northern Right Whales each year. Common Terns, Herring Gulls, and Great Black-backed Gulls have colonies on Sable Island and use adjacent waters for feeding.