Pictou Banks

The Pictou Banks extend westward from Pictou Island into Northumberland Strait, reaching much of the way towards the Nova Scotia mainland. Tidal streams sweep through the nearby channels, and winter ice can disturb the shallow seabed. Scallops live on the banks, while the island and surrounding shoals divide the waters between the mainland coast and Epekwitk. The shallows demand care from vessels passing through a strait whose currents and ice change with the seasons.