African Banks (6791)
Seychelles, Africa

Site overview

KBA status: confirmed

Global KBA criteria: D1a

Year of last assessment: 2014

National site name: Bancs Africains

Central coordinates: Latitude: -4.8970, Longitude: 53.3840

System: marine, terrestrial

Elevation (m): 0 to 4

Area of KBA (km²): 8.21954

Protected area coverage (%): 100.00

KBA classification: Global

Legacy site: Yes

Site details

Site description: The site is the northernmost island of the Amirantes group and lies c.220 km west of Mahé; it includes 720 ha of coastal marine habitat. It formerly comprised two islands but, by 1976, South Island had eroded, leaving a small sandstone ridge exposed only at low tide. The remaining land area, North Island, is a small, flat sandstone island (30 ha), with no human settlement. There is a derelict automatic lighthouse. It is frequently visited by poachers and there is considerable exploitation and disturbance of nesting birds. Tourists occasionally visit by charter yachts. The island is almost treeless (one coconut tree in 1995), being otherwise covered in grass and low-growing vegetation.

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. KBA identified in the CEPF Ecosystem Profile of the Madagascar and Indian Ocean Islands Hotspot (2014). Taxonomy, nomenclature and threat status follow the 2013 IUCN Red List.

Additional biodiversity: See Box for key species. The colony of Sterna fuscata was once much larger; in 1955 it was estimated at 40,300 pairs and in 1974 at 20,300 pairs. The site holds one of only three colonies of Sterna dougallii in Seychelles, with 82 pairs. Other species include Sterna bergii (six pairs in 1974, possibly no longer breeds). Non-bird biodiversity: The turtles Chelonia mydas (EN) and Eretmochelys imbricata (CR) nest and may be taken by poachers.

Delineation rationale: Type 1 marine IBA: suitable for the seaward extension approach.

Habitats

Land use: nature conservation and research | not utilised

Threats

Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: The island is protected under the Wild Birds Protection (Nature Reserve) Regulations 1966. However, enforcement of the law is extremely difficult as the island has no human presence to report the activities of poachers. The site could potentially support more than 20,000 pairs of Sterna fuscata were it not for poaching. Eggs of Anous stolidus are probably also taken. Sterna bergii, S. dougallii and S. sumatrana may also suffer from poaching, or at least from disturbance.

Additional information