Machias Seal Island This six-sided tower sits in Maine waters but is maintained by the Canadian government, a compromise reflecting the fact that both nations claim the island. The island is located about 10 miles east of Cutler, Maine. The case of the Machias Seal Island is a tale of disputed sovereignty dating back to the origins of the United States. Sovereignty of the island is disputed. The island is situated in the middle of the Gulf of Maine and Bay of Fundy on the US-Canada border. The Canadian Coast Guard continues to staff a lighthouse on the island, which is barren and bereft of trees. It’s about a 5 hour drive from the Maine New Hampshire border, and about as far northeast in Maine as it gets! Canadian citizenship or residency is preferred, but not required. Machias Seal Island is an island in the Gulf of Maine, about 16 km (9.9 mi) southeast from Cutler, Maine, and 19 km (11.8 mi) southwest of Southwest Head on Grand Manan Island. The lighthouse, built in 1832, is now fully automated and the keepers reside there solely for reasons of sovereignty. Previous field experience banding birds is preferred, particularly seabirds. It is home to many rare seabirds and a puffin colony, all protected by the Canadian Wildlife Service. Machias Seal Island is an island in the Gulf of Maine, about 16 km (9.9 mi) southeast from Cutler, Maine, and 19 km (11.8 mi) southwest of Southwest Head on Grand Manan Island. Digby, NS Yarmouth, NS Machias, ME Grand Manan Island, NB Machias Seal Island Postscript Machias Seal Island is one of the rare disputed territories between Canada and the United States. The Canadian Coast Guard continues to staff a lighthouse on the island; the first lighthouse was constructed there in 1832. Canada And the United States Are Bickering Over Ownership of a Tiny Island A tiny island with little more than a lighthouse and some puffins is the center of a border disagreement . It is a neighbour to North Rock. Machias Seal Island has the largest puffin colony on the Maine coast! Sovereignty of the island is disputed. The dispute stems from a disagreement interpreting a 1782 British-American peace treaty, and a 1621 Novia Scotian land grant. Since both Canada and the United States claim sovereignty, anyone born there can claim dual citizenship. Machias Seal Island is a 1-hectare landmass permanently inhabited by over 5,000 mating pairs of Puffins and two Canadian lighthouse keepers. Though the lighthouse established there in 1832 This lighthouse belongs to Canada, but the rest of this small island is disputed territory. It is a neighbour to North Rock. At the current time, the island is … lighthouse detail on the island. Compensation: Return transportation from Saint John (or Fredericton) to Machias Seal Island, food, and lodging are provided, plus $400-$500 per week (depending on experience).