Difference between revisions of "Prion Island"
(Created page with "Prion Island {{county|South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands}} '''Prion Island''' is an island a mile and a half nor...") |
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==Outside links== | ==Outside links== | ||
| − | *Location map: {{wmap|- | + | *Location map: {{wmap|-54.017|-37.25}} |
*[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L8IgbW-4SkA Film of Prion Island] | *[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L8IgbW-4SkA Film of Prion Island] | ||
*[http://www.sgisland.gs/index.php/%28v%29Information_for_Visitors_to_South_Georgia?useskin=vis GSGSSI Information for Visitors document] | *[http://www.sgisland.gs/index.php/%28v%29Information_for_Visitors_to_South_Georgia?useskin=vis GSGSSI Information for Visitors document] | ||
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==References== | ==References== | ||
{{reflist}} | {{reflist}} | ||
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| + | [[Category:Bay of Isles]] | ||
Revision as of 23:38, 25 November 2015
Prion Island is an island a mile and a half north-northeast of Luck Point, in the Bay of Isles, South Georgia.
The island was charted in 1912-13 by Robert Cushman Murphy, an American naturalist aboard the brig Daisy, and so named because he observed prions roosting on the island.
The island has been designated as a Specially Protected Area by the South Georgia Government, due to its rat-free status and breeding wandering albatrosses. Access is by permit, in that the island must be specifically named on the visit application and permit. A boardwalk with two viewing platforms was built in February/March 2008 to prevent erosion of the access gully and trampling of prion burrows. Wandering Albatross population counts are conducted annually. Because it is rat-free it is a breeding area for South Georgia pipits and burrowing petrels.
Access
Visits are restricted as described in the GSGSSI Information For Visitors document as follows:
- Closed between 20 November and 7 January (Inclusive), to prevent disturbance of breeding fur seals at the landing beach.
- A maximum of two visits per day
- Landing at the designated beach only and all visitors to stay on the boardwalk
- Commercial visits to maintain a 1:10 staff to passenger ratio
- Maximum 50 people ashore at any time
- A visit is not to exceed 5 hours
- Thorough biosecurity checks to be made before landing
