Desnoeufs Island

Desnoeufs Island is an island lying at the southern edge of the Amirantes group, of the Outer Islands of the Republic of Seychelles, in the western Indian Ocean.

Description

Desnoeufs lies about 300 km south-west of the main Seychelles island of Mahé. It is a 35 ha circular island with a central depression surrounded by a high rim. It was exploited for guano during the 20th century, exposing the sandstone bedrock. It is used as a base for harvesting seabirds, especially the eggs of terns, during the nesting season from June to August. Although there is no permanent human population, buildings have been constructed which are used seasonally by fishermen and by residents of nearby Marie-Louise Island. Desnoeufs is vegetated with grasses and other low-growing plants. It is difficult to access because of heavy swells, even during calm weather. It has been identified as an Important Bird Area (IBA) by BirdLife International because it supports a breeding population of 360,000–500,000 pairs of Sooty Terns. Green and Hawksbill sea turtles also nest there.^[1]

References

Coordinates: 06°14′S 53°32′E / 6.233°S 53.533°E / -6.233; 53.533