The Sainte-Marie Islands Migratory Bird Sanctuary (50°18′02″N, 59°39′34″W) is located in the Côte-Nord region of the Gulf of St. Lawrence. Established in 1925, the sanctuary was created to protect Common Eiders and other seabird colonies during the breeding season. Covering approximately 40 km², it encompasses thirteen rocky islands and is among the most abundant and species-rich seabird sanctuary in the Côte-Nord region.
Several seabird species breed at the site, including Common Murres (~26,000 individuals), Razorbills (~19,000), and Atlantic Puffins (~2,800). The sanctuary also supports breeding populations of Common Eiders, Black-legged Kittiwakes, Double-crested Cormorants, Great Cormorants, Black Guillemots, Great Black-backed Gulls, and Red-throated Loons.
Breeding censuses have been conducted every five years by Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) since 1925. More recently, monitoring and research programs focusing on Atlantic Puffins, Razorbills, and Common Murres have been carried out by ECCC since 2017. Sainte-Marie Islands Migratory Bird Sanctuary became a SEATRACK location in 2024 with the deployment of GLS loggers on Atlantic puffins and Razorbills.
Seatrack partner
Raphael Lavoie
Environment and Climate Change Canada
Data availability
