Manowar and Rocky Islands (23459)
Australia, Australasia
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Global KBA criteria: B1, D1a
Year of last assessment: 2009
National site name: Manowar and Rocky Islands
Central coordinates: Latitude: -16.2682, Longitude: 139.2728
System: marine, terrestrial
Elevation (m): 0 to 16
Area of KBA (km2): 0.50516
Protected area coverage (%): 47.18
KBA classification: Global
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: Rocky and Manowar Islands are both small islands in the southern Gulf of Carpentaria about 40 km distant from the nearest substantial land on Mornington Island. The two slightly raised islands support large numbers of breeding seabirds, particularly Brown Booby on both islands and Lesser Frigatebird on Manowar Island. The climate is monsoonal with an extended dry season from May to November and a hot wet season from December to April.
Rationale for qualifying as KBA: This site qualifies as a Key Biodiversity Area of international significance that meets the thresholds for at least one criterion described in the Global Standard for the Identification of KBAs.
Additional biodiversity: Large numbers of Australian Pelican and small numbers of Eastern Reef Egret, Osprey and White-bellied Sea-Eagle breed on the islands. Non-bird biodiversity: The islands are notable for basking by Green Turtle between breeding attempts in the winter (Garnett et al. 1985). An undescribed legless lizard, Lerista aff. orientalis, has been recorded from Rocky Island (Garnett and Crowley 1987a), and must be a relic from the Pleistocene when lower sea level meant the islands were connected to the mainland.
Other site values: Traditional owners are Lardil people: Rocky Island known as Kalamburriya, Manowar Island known as Delmerriya or Wudma. http://www.environment.gov.au/indigenous/publications/pubs/thuwathu-bujimulla-plan.pdf. Native title exists over the islands. Permission to visit islands should be sought from Mornington Island Shire Council.
Habitats
Land use: fisheries/aquaculture (80%)
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Marine Coastal/Supratidal | 20 | |
| Marine Neritic | 80 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: Eradicate Black Rat from Rocky Island. Monitor for other introduced/invasive species and excessive disturbance by fishing tourism, particularly on Manowar Island.
| Threat level 1 | Threat level 2 | Threat level 3 | Timing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Invasive & other problematic species, genes & diseases | Invasive non-native/alien species/diseases | Named species | Ongoing |
| Human intrusions & disturbance | Recreational activities | Ongoing |
Additional information
References: Carpentaria Land Council Aboriginal Corporation (2006) Thuwathu/Bujimulla Sea Country Plan: Aboriginal Management of the Wellesley Islands Management Region of the Gulf of Carpentaria. Department of Environment and Heritage, Canberra. http://www.environment.gov.au/indigenous/publications/pubs/thuwathu-bujimulla-plan.pdf Garnett, S.T. and Crowley, G.M. (1987a) Rocky Island. Corella 11, 75-76. Garnett, S.T. and Crowley, G.M. (1987b) Manowar Island. Corella 11, 73-74. Garnett, S.T., Crowley, G.M. and Goudberg, N.J. (1985) Non-nesting emergence by Green Turtles in the Gulf of Carpentaria. Copeia 1984, 262-264. Walker, T.A. (1992) A record Crested Tern Sterna bergii colony and concentrated breeding by seabirds in the Gulf of Carpentaria. Emu 92, 152-156. White, H.L. (1917) North Australian birds. Emu 16, 117-158.
Contributors: THe nomination was prepared by Stephen Garnett.