Bay of Fundy

The Bay of Fundy is a bay located on the Atlantic coast of North America, on the northeast end of the Gulf of Maine between the provinces of New Brunswick and Nova Scotia. A small portion of the northwest corner of the bay's coastline fronts the US state of Maine. The name "Fundy" is thought to date back to the 16th century when the Portuguese referred to the bay as "Rio Fundo" or "deep river".

Wildlife

The Bay of Fundy comprises a tremendously abundant marine ecosystem. Its cold waters contribute to large quantities of krill and other small animals which in turn attract whales such as the endangered North Atlantic Right Whale as well as Humpbacks, Minkes and other cetaceans.

Related Topics:
Krill - Whales - North Atlantic Right Whale - Humpbacks - Minkes - Cetaceans

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Migratory birds also use the bay as a stopping point, or as a breeding ground. In August of each year, the migration of millions of sand pipers on the mud flats of Shepody Bay delight thousands of naturalists. Peregrine falcons and bald eagles also make their habitat in the high cliffs which surround the bay. Various sea birds such as the Atlantic puffin, Common tern, and others can be found.

Related Topics:
August - Sand pipers - Peregrine falcons - Bald eagles - Atlantic puffin - Tern

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The bay supports a successful commercial fishery for lobster, scallops, sea urchins, and herring. Commercial aquaculture operations raise Atlantic Salmon, largely in Passamaquoddy and Back bays.

Related Topics:
Lobster - Scallops - Sea urchins - Herring - Aquaculture - Atlantic Salmon

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Certain aspects of the Bay of Fundy ecosystem are still poorly understood, for example, the role of intertidal organisms such as Corophium volutator in the marine food chain. The Bay of Fundy Ecosystem Partnership (BOFEP) is a joint research group of several universities studying the Bay.

Related Topics:
Corophium volutator - Bay of Fundy Ecosystem Partnership

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