Samana Cay (20589)
Bahamas, Caribbean
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Year of last assessment: 2009
National site name: Samana Cay
Central coordinates: Latitude: 23.0858, Longitude: -73.7452
System: marine, terrestrial
Elevation (m): 0 to 1
Area of KBA (km2): 86.48934
Protected area coverage (%): 60.40
KBA classification: Regional
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: Samana Cay is located twenty miles northeast of Crooked Island. It is completely surrounded by coral reefs and is not recommended as a stop off point without local knowledge. The Cascarilla tree grow profusely here,residents of Acklins collect and export the bark which is then used to make the aperitif Campari.
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: Audubon's Shearwaters, Sooty Terns, Bridled Terns and Brown Noddies nest on Propeller Cay located just east of Samana Cay. In 1996 there were reports of Brown Boobies roosting here but no sign of breeding.
Habitats
Summary of habitats in KBA: There is no permanent human settlement here but it is visited frequently by locals for fishing and collecting cascarilla bark, land also has been used for farming. There are no provisions, not even fresh water on the cay.
Land use: not utilised
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Marine Neritic | 33 | |
| Marine Coastal/Supratidal | 33 | |
| Shrubland | 33 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: Disturbance of birds in the vicinity where the residents collect the cascarilla bark. Local small time farming, refugees landing for food and shelter.
Additional information
References: White, A.W. 1998b. A Birder's Guide to the Bahama Islands (Including Turks and Caicos). American Birding Association. Colorado Springs, CO. 302pp.