Scotian Shelf

[2] A southwesterly ocean current, (occasionally containing runoff from the Gulf of St Lawrence) flows over the inner shelf.

This causes an increase in biological productivity toward the east, across the Continental Shelf and contains body parts from multiple decades of animals.

The Scotian Shelf is heavily influenced by the Gulf Stream, resulting in a variety of marine species being present which are normally found further south.

[2] The Scotian Shelf Large Marine Ecosystem (LME) contains numerous species, including a broad range of shellfish and fishes that use the area as spawning and nursery grounds.

Offshore areas are used by such birds as shearwaters, sea ducks such as the common eider, and alcids such as dovekies and murres.