Thanks to its oceanographic characteristics and the varied landscapes that make up the Magdalen Islands, this archipelago hosts a great diversity of wildlife species. Many of these species are otherwise absent or rare at such a latitude.

Approximately 300 species of birds frequent the archipelago or stop over during their migrations. This place is also a haven for seals and certain cetaceans that come to feed and give birth. Many species of fish, shellfish and mollusks are essential to the local island economy: a good many of the islands’ 12 000 inhabitants make their living by exploiting snow crab, American lobster and sea scallops, along with commercial fish species such as Atlantic herring, Atlantic mackerel and American plaice. Tourism is the other most important economic sector.