Etoile island (6793)
Seychelles, Africa

Site overview

KBA status: confirmed

Year of last assessment: 2001

National site name: Etoile island

Central coordinates: Latitude: -5.8833, Longitude: 53.3167

System: marine, terrestrial

Elevation (m): 0 to 1

Area of KBA (km²): 0.40004

Protected area coverage (%): 100.00

KBA classification: Regional

Legacy site: Yes

Site details

Site description: The site is a small, circular coral cay in the Amirantes group, situated c.300 km south-west of Mahé. There are no trees; the vegetation comprises mainly grass and low bushes surrounded by a steep sandy beach. It is fairly easy to land in calm conditions. There is no resident human population.

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: See Box for key species. The site is one of only three known breeding sites in Seychelles for Sterna dougallii. In addition, Sterna fuscata (c.5,000 pairs) and Anous stolidus (800–1,200 pairs) breed. All three species breed in dense colonies during the south-east monsoon. 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

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.

Additional information