Desnoeufs
About the Island
Overview
Desnoeufs is located 325 kilometers southwest of Victoria and 12 kilometers southwest of Marie-Louise, its nearest neighboring island. Covering an area of 35 hectares, Desnoeufs features a unique geological formation, with a sandstone core that extends outward in concentric circles, a stunning pattern clearly visible from an aerial view.
The island's name, Desnoeufs, was bestowed by the Chevalier du Roslan and translates to "one of the nine." This name is believed to refer to the nine main islands or atolls that form part of the Amirantes group, highlighting the island's inclusion in this significant archipelago.
The island's name, Desnoeufs, was bestowed by the Chevalier du Roslan and translates to "one of the nine." This name is believed to refer to the nine main islands or atolls that form part of the Amirantes group, highlighting the island's inclusion in this significant archipelago.
More about the Island
History
Desnoeufs has never had a permanent human population, largely because access to the island is difficult, with landing often challenging even in otherwise calm conditions. This has contributed to its remote and largely undisturbed character.
Preserving the Island's Unique Biodiversity
Conservation
The Islands Development Company (IDC) plays an important role in supporting the management and preservation of Sooty Tern populations. Desnoeufs was historically one of the main islands used for Sooty Tern egg collection, with harvesting confined to approximately two-thirds of the island to allow part of the colony to remain undisturbed. Because of the island’s difficult access, the last egg collection on Desnoeufs took place in 2018, with subsequent collections undertaken on Cosmoledo in 2020 and again in 2026. Harvesting is carefully managed and controlled to help safeguard the long-term sustainability of the Sooty Tern colonies.
Economic Activities
The Island Development Company (IDC) plays a critical role in the management and preservation of Sooty Tern populations. Each nesting season, IDC oversees the collection and distribution of Sooty Tern eggs from approximately two-thirds of the island. To ensure the sustainability of the Sooty Tern stocks, the egg collection process is conducted biennially.
However, in 2022, a significant policy change was introduced by the government. A two-year ban on the collection of Sooty Tern eggs was imposed, following concerning findings from the 2021 species census. This census revealed a drastic decline in the Sooty Tern population, prompting immediate conservation measures. The collected data, published in March 2022, indicated that the Sooty Tern population had plummeted by an alarming 60 to 70 percent across all islands since the last census conducted in 1999.
These measures underscore the urgent need for enhanced conservation efforts to protect the Sooty Tern and ensure the species' survival amid declining numbers.
However, in 2022, a significant policy change was introduced by the government. A two-year ban on the collection of Sooty Tern eggs was imposed, following concerning findings from the 2021 species census. This census revealed a drastic decline in the Sooty Tern population, prompting immediate conservation measures. The collected data, published in March 2022, indicated that the Sooty Tern population had plummeted by an alarming 60 to 70 percent across all islands since the last census conducted in 1999.
These measures underscore the urgent need for enhanced conservation efforts to protect the Sooty Tern and ensure the species' survival amid declining numbers.
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