Île Frégate

Île Frégate is a small, uninhabited island in the Caribbean Sea located off the north coast of Saint Barthélemy, an overseas collectivity of France. Île Frégate is situated within the Nature Reserve of Saint Bartholomew, which was established in 1996 with the objective of conserving coral reefs, sea grass beds and marine life.[1][2]

Île Frégate
Île Frégate, second island on the left in distance
Île Frégate
Île Frégate
Île Frégate
Geography
LocationCaribbean
Coordinates17°56′23″N 62°50′3″W
ArchipelagoLeeward Islands, Lesser Antilles
Area0.29 km2 (0.11 sq mi)
Administration
Additional information
Time zone
Nature Reserve of Saint Bartholomew
Réserve Naturelle de Saint-Barthélemy
IUCN category II (national park)
LocationSaint Barthélemy
Area1,200 ha (3,000 acres)
Established1996 (1996)
Governing bodyGrenat Association
Websitereservenaturellestbarth.com/en

Geography

Île Frégate is an uninhabited cay in the Caribbean.[3] Situated north of Saint Barthélemy, it is one of its satellite islands.[4] Due to its shape, Île Frégate has been described as "twin islets".[5] It is the second northeasternmost of a series of islands, and lies between Île Chevreau and Île Toc Vers.[6] Île Fregate is located 0.7 miles (1.1 km) to the west of Île Toc Vers, a "pointed islet." According to sailing information, traversing through the channel between the two islets should be avoided.[7] Île Frégate is situated within the Réserve naturelle nationale de Saint-Barthélemy, which also includes Gros Îlets and Pain de Sucre; the waters surrounding the islets Fourchue, and Île Toc Vers; and part of Colombier bay.[8] Situated on the windward side of the marine reserve, it is noted for sea life which can be viewed while snorkeling.[2]

Flora and fauna

A Magnificent Frigatebird (Fregata magnificens) in flight in the Caribbean

The high islet features grass and bush flora.[9] Its protected area measures 1,200 hectares (3,000 acres).[10] Bird life on the island has included a frigatebird colony, although this has been significantly diminished due to the removal of bird eggs.[11] According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature, Iguana delicatissima or Lesser Antillean Green Iguana, and West Indian Iguana have been found on Île Frégate.[12] Sphaerodactylus sputator (Leeward Banded Sphaero) was recorded on the island in 2012.[13]

References

  1. Greenberg 2003, p. 47.
  2. Nash 2011, p. 23.
  3. Wells 1988, p. 285.
  4. Malhotra & Thorpe 1999, p. 59.
  5. Gravette 1990, p. 162.
  6. Adkins, Leonard (1998). The Caribbean: A Walking and Hiking Guide. Hunter Publishing, Inc. p. 141. ISBN 978-1-55650-848-6.
  7. "Caribbean Sea. Sailing & Cruising Information. St Barthelemy". 1yachtua.com. Retrieved 14 June 2015.
  8. Jaffray 2012, p. 12.
  9. ProStar 2004, p. 123.
  10. "St Barthelemy (to France)" (pdf). BirdLife International. Retrieved 8 June 2015.
  11. The New Yorker 1987, p. 100.
  12. Knapp, Charles; Breuil, Michel; Rodrigues, Chloé; Iverson, John. "Lesser Antillean Iguana : Iguana delicatissima: Conservation Action Plan, 2014—2016" (PDF). International Union for Conservation of Nature. p. 11. Retrieved 14 June 2015.
  13. "Caribbean Herpetology". caribherp.org. Retrieved 14 June 2015.

Bibliography

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