Peterson Cay (National Park) (20383)
Bahamas, Caribbean
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Year of last assessment: 2009
National site name: Peterson Cay (National Park)
Central coordinates: Latitude: 26.5592, Longitude: -78.5007
System: marine, terrestrial
Elevation (m): 0 to 1
Area of KBA (km2): 4.34576
KBA classification: Regional
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: Peterson Cay is a National Park and is managed by The Bahamas National Trust and is located one and one-quarter miles east of the southern entrance to the Grand Lucayan Waterway. This windswept and sparsely vegetated limestone island is the only cay on the leeward side of Grand Bahama.
Rationale for qualifying as KBA: This site qualifies as a Key Biodiversity Area of international significance that was identified using previously established criteria and thresholds for the identification of Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas (IBAs) and for which available data indicate that it does not meet global KBA criteria and thresholds set out in the Global Standard.
Additional biodiversity: This cay is reported to be a nesting site for Bridled Terns. Non-bird biodiversity: Shallow bars and coral reefs especially on the west side has created a small but uniquely beautiful range of coral gardens where fish, marine plants and animal life may be closely observed by snorkelers and divers.
Delineation rationale: The boundaries of the IBA are displaced. The IBA needs to be centralized in the Peterson Cay National Park added by veronica.anadon@birdlife.org on 03/19/2015.
Habitats
Summary of habitats in KBA: Several varieties of habitats are found on Peterson Cay including, rocky shoreline, sandy beaches and shrubland. This site is uninhabited, but is actively used for ecotourism by resident kayak tour guides and resident and visiting boaters.
Land use: tourism/recreation
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Marine Neritic | 40 | |
| Shrubland | 20 | |
| Marine Coastal/Supratidal | 40 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: Development will cause destruction of habitat and disturbance of the birds. Uncontrolled tourism will introduce predators such as rats and domestic pets.
Additional information
References: 2001. Yachtman's Guide to The Bahamas includes Turks and Caicos.