Because of the constant turmoil and changing tides, the outer Bay of Fundy boasts some of the most productive water in Eastern North America. Moved and fed by tidal currents the bay's food chain includes edible seaweeds, some of the world's largest, rarest mammals, and everything in between.
Marine Life
The waters of Grand Manan are well-known for its commercial fish but there is an undisturbed wealth of other nature beneath the sea. Stroll along the beach at low tide and discover rich eco-systems in the many tidal pools. Invertebrates make their home along the ocean bottom, giant lobsters scurry backwards, while mussels, clams and sea urchins choose a more sedentary role.
At any barnacle-encrusted wharf one can see small, dark-backed fish swimming about - harbour pollock. And every wharf has sculpins nosing around about the bottom.
Lumpfish frequent weirs, especially in the nesting season. Bright red males guard and fan the eggs. Shy, perch-like wreckfish dart from shelter-to-shelter. Atlantic wolffish, locally called "catfish," flash a toothy grin with teeth capable of grinding up a hard and prickly sea urchin for a snack
Almost hidden in the sand, a goosefish (locally called a "ballastfish" for its habit of taking in extra rocks and storing them in its enormous mouth and gullet before a storm to hold itself down). If a flock of gulls are sitting quietly on the water and suddenly one drops out of sight, it is more than likely that a ballastfish has just had himself a gull.
Of course there are sharks. Mud sharks can grow to six to nine metres (25-30 ft.) in length. They are relatively toothless and strain the water for feed like whales. The other common shark is the porbeagle shark. At two to five metres (6-10 ft.) in length, this quick and aggressive blue-grey shark is definitely not to be trusted to a friendly handshake. Great White sharks are rare here. The world record great white was caught in a weir off White Head, Grand Manan, in June, 1930, and measured 11 metres (37 ft.)!
During the summer months, giant mammals play in the Fundy waters. The concentration of 40 to 50 northern right whales in the waters off Grand Manan represents a significant portion of the total world population of 100 to 200 animals. Besides the right whale, other baleen whales are commonly seen: fin, humpback, and minke, along with playful harbour porpoise.
If you've ever wanted to look beneath the waves, come to Grand Manan and check out a boat tour like you've never had before.