Sturge Island (30155)
Antarctica, Antarctica
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Global KBA criteria: D1a
Year of last assessment: 2015
National site name: Sturge Island
Central coordinates: Latitude: -67.4016, Longitude: 164.6341
System: marine, terrestrial
Elevation (m): 0 to 520
Area of KBA (km2): 46.54516
KBA classification: Global
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: Sturge Island is the largest and most southerly of the Balleny Islands, situated in the Southern Ocean ~300 km north of the Antarctic continent at Oates Land. Sturge Island is ~37 km long by ~12 km wide, and rises to an elevation of ~520 m. The Balleny Islands straddle the Antarctic Circle and extend over a distance of ~150 km. The islands are of volcanic origin and are predominantly covered by permanent ice. The IBA qualifies on the basis of the large Southern Fulmar (Fulmarus glacialoides) and Snow Petrel (Pagodroma nivea) colonies present on ice free cliffs along the western and northern coasts of Sturge Island. The nearest permanent stations are Mario Zucchelli (ITA) and Jang Bogo (KOR) ~800 km to the south in Terra Nova Bay, and Dumont d'Urville (FRA) ~1000 km to the southwest in Terre Adélie.
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: Southern Fulmars estimated numbering between 10 – 20 000 breeding pairs were observed on the northwestern coast of Sturge Island in 1965 (Robertson et al. 1980). At this time Snow Petrels were also observed nesting on the western cliffs, estimated to number between 5000 – 10 000 breeding pairs. These colonies were not observed during a 1973 expedition (Robertson et al. 1980), although this may be a result of the timing or limited scope of the survey. Approximately 6000 breeding pairs of Southern Fulmars were observed in 1965 on Row Island, ~120 km to the northwest of Sturge Island, although this site does not qualify as an IBA. The Balleny Islands host at least eight species of breeding birds, including Adélie Penguin (Pygoscelis adeliae), Chinstrap Penguin (Pygoscelis antarctica), Cape Petrel (Daption capense), Snow Petrel, Antarctic Petrel (Thalassoica antarctica), Southern Fulmar, Wilson's Storm-petrel (Oceanites oceanicus) and South Polar Skua (Catharacta maccormicki) (Robertson et al. 1980; Cruwys 2007). Counts for penguins in the Balleny Islands do not qualify for IBA status, and numbers for the other species are not well known. Southern Giant Petrel (Macronectes giganteus), Antarctic Prion (Pachyptila desolata), Sooty Shearwater (Puffinus griseus), Arctic Tern (Sterna paradisaea), Brown Skua (Catharacta antarctica), Grey-headed Albatross (Diomedea chrysostoma), Black-browed Albatross (Diomedea melanophrys), Light-mantled Sooty Albatross (Phoebetria palpebrata), Wandering Albatross (Diomedea exulans), Macaroni Penguin (Eudyptes chrysolophus) and White-chinned Petrel (Procellaria aequinoctialis) have also been observed in the area (Robertson et al. 1980; Cruwys 2007; ASPA No. 104 Management Plan (2015)). Non-bird biodiversity: Weddell (Leptonychotes weddellii), Crabeater (Lobodon carcinophagus) and Southern Elephant (Mirounga leonina) seals forage, breed and moult in the Balleny Islands (Varian 2005).
Delineation rationale: Shortest perimeter around islands and/or ice-free areas >5km2.
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: Due to its remote location and rugged terrain, which makes boat landings difficult, the islands have been visited only rarely (Cruwys 2007). In the period 2004-14 only three tourist visits were made to the Balleny Islands (IAATO Tourism Statistics, accessed: 18/12/2014). A small group of three tourists landed on the island in 2005/06 and the other two groups (in 2004/05 and 2013/14) did not land. One visit was made in 2001 by New Zealand research teams (Bradford-Grieve & Fenwick 2002). Direct human disturbance in the area is therefore expected to be minimal.
Additional information
References: ASPA No. 104 Sabrina Island, Balleny Islands: Management Plan (2015). Bradford-Grieve, J. & Fenwick, G. 2002. A review of the current knowledge describing the biodiversity of the Balleny Islands. Final Research Report for National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research Limited. Auckland, New Zealand. Unpublished report for the Ministry of Fisheries. Wellingon, New Zealand. Cruwys, L. 2007. Balleny Islands. In Riffenburgh B. (ed.) Encyclopedia of the Antarctic Vol. 1 A-K. London, Taylor & Francis: 123-124. Robertson,C.J.R., Gilbert, J.R. & Erickson, A.W. 1980. Birds and seals of the Balleny Islands, Antarctica. National Museum of New Zealand Reconds 1 (16): 271-79. Varian, S. J. 2005. A summary of the values of the Balleny Islands, Antarctica. Ministry of Fisheries. Wellington, New Zealand.