Jasiira Maydh (6858)
Somalia, Africa
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Global KBA criteria: D1a
Year of last assessment: 2001
National site name: Jasiira Maydh
Central coordinates: Latitude: 11.2333, Longitude: 47.2500
System: marine, terrestrial
Elevation (m): 0 to 124
Area of KBA (km2): 0.4645
KBA classification: Global
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: Jasiira Maydh or Mait island is located in the Gulf of Aden c.13 km offshore, to the north of the town of Maydh and hence adjacent to Daalo (site SO003). It is a little over 1.5 km in length with a maximum width of 300 m and an average height of 100 m. The long axis of the island is oriented from east-north-east to west-south-west. The island is steep-sided, rising abruptly out of the sea, and along the southern face rocky buttresses alternate with scree-filled gullies while the northern face is an unbroken precipice. The rock is granitic gneiss which is covered with guano deposits, and the surface is split in places by great fissures. The island is completely lacking in vegetation and there is no fresh water except after rain, of which there is only c.50 mm per year. The island lies within an area of seasonal coastal upwelling.
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: See Box for key species. In addition, Phalacrocorax nigrogularis has been recorded while other breeding species include Phaethon aethereus, Sula dactylatra, Sterna fuscata and S. anaethetus (the latter two in ‘large numbers’). In the 1940s, the numbers of breeding birds present was estimated at c.100,000, but were reported then to be declining. The breeding season is June–September, after which nearly all birds leave. Non-bird biodiversity: None known to BirdLife International.
Delineation rationale: Type 1 marine IBA: suitable for the seaward extension approach.
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: The island has been proposed as a marine protected area. Guano is collected from the island, but traditionally only from October to April, i.e. when the birds are absent. During the breeding season the seas are generally too rough to permit boats to land, which prevents disturbance. Rats and snakes are present on the island.
Additional information
References: Kelleher et al. (1995), North (1946).