Sunday Island (Exmouth Gulf) (23925)
Australia, Australasia
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Global KBA criteria: D1a
Year of last assessment: 2009
National site name: Sunday Island (Exmouth Gulf)
Central coordinates: Latitude: -21.7047, Longitude: 114.4188
System: marine, terrestrial
Elevation (m): 0 to 5
Area of KBA (km2): 0.11488
Protected area coverage (%): 100.00
KBA classification: Global
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: Sunday Island is a small island close to the Muiron Islands off the northern end of Exmouth Gulf, Western Australia. It is a low limestone and sand island with low grass (Spinifex longifolius) and Carpobrotus sp. and low shrubs. Other plants recorded include Triodia epactia, Amaranthus mitchellii, Portulaca intraterranea, Capparis spinosa, Cleome viscosa, Acacia sclerosperma, Ipomoea pes-caprae. Annual average rainfall is about 300 mm. Sunday Island is within the Muiron Islands Marine Management Area recognising its high conservation value, but where industry operations such as petroleum exploration and production are major uses.
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: Silver Gulls nest. Non-bird biodiversity: Turtles.
Other site values: Western Australian State Government with management the responsibility of the Dept of Environment & Climate Change. Permission to visit should be obtained from DEC.
Habitats
Land use: not utilised
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Marine Coastal/Supratidal | 50 | |
| Grassland | 50 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: Island should be protected by reservation as a nature reserve to promote better management by the Department of Environment and Conservation. Ensure that impacts on the Roseate Terns are considered in oil drilling proposals.
| Threat level 1 | Threat level 2 | Threat level 3 | Timing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Human intrusions & disturbance | Recreational activities | Ongoing |
Additional information
References: DEC Seabird Breeding Island Database.
Contributors: The nomination was prepared by Andrew Burbidge with observations submitted to database by Dr Fran Stanley of DEC.