Coëtivy

Coëtivy lies 290 kilometres south of Victoria. Excluding the raised limestone islands of Aldabra and Assomption, Coëtivy is the largest coral island of Seychelles at 931 hectares. It is a long and narrow island, 9 kilometres by 0.25 to 1.6 kilometres stretching in a NNE to SSW direction. It was formed on the east side of an almost rectangular shoal rising from a depth of 2.5 kilometres and measuring about 180 sq kilometres. The island was named after Chevalier de Coëtivy, commander of the Ile de France who sighted it on 3rd July 1771. 

History

In 1846, the island employed 100 or more men growing maize and other crops; coconut oil was exported.  By 1929 Coëtivy was managed by a French group and exported timber, copra, salt fish and turtle meat to Mahé.  It was a valuable property, producing over 200,000 coconuts a month.  By the early 1960s over 100 acres of coconut palms had been planted. Until 1908, Coëtivy remained politically part of Mauritius. The island was managed by IDC in the 1980s when it became the focus for hybrid coconut trials in an effort to increase yields. However, results were disappointing. In 1989, management was transferred to Seychelles Marketing Board for the development of a black tiger prawn farm, with brood stocks imported from Madagascar and Mozambique. This was not profitable and eventually the farm closed.

Conservation

​Coëtivy is one of only two islands where introduced Grey Francolin still survive (the other being Desroches). This species was originally introduced to many islands as a game bird to provide sport for visiting dignitaries. There is also a major frigatebird roost with up to 2,500 birds of two different species (Great Frigatebird and Lesser Frigatebird) estimated to be present. Most of the undeveloped area of the island is covered in coconuts.  Coëtivy is an important nesting site for both hawksbills and green turtles. The waters around Coëtivy are rich feeding grounds for pelagic seabirds including Round Island Petrel, a visitor from Mauritius and storm petrels from as far away as Antarctica, notably Wilson's Storm Petrel and Black-bellied Storm Petrel.

Economic Activities

​IDC maintains and operates an airstrip at Coëtivy. t is also one of the few islands still involved in copra production. Coëtivy also produces charcoal, coconut oil, agricultural products and rears animals, which it sends to Mahé. I