Location off the
southwestern coast of
Tasmania | |
Geography | |
---|---|
Location | Port Davey |
Coordinates | 43°19′12″S 145°57′36″E / 43.32000°S 145.96000°E |
Adjacent to | Southern Ocean |
Total islands | 6 |
Area | 16 ha (40 acres) |
Administration | |
Australia | |
State | Tasmania |
Region | South West |
Demographics | |
Population | 0 |
The Breaksea Islands Group is a group of six islands, in the Southern Ocean, off the southwestern coast of Tasmania, Australia. [1]
Located near the mouth of Port Davey, the group comprise the North Breaksea and Main Breaksea Islands, [2] the Fitzroy, Kathleen, and Munday islands, and the Mavourneen Rocks. The group have a total area of approximately 16 hectares (40 acres) and are contained within the Southwest National Park, part of the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Site and the Port Davey/Bathurst Harbour Marine Nature Reserve. [3]
The islands are noted as a breeding site for many seabird species, including little penguin (400 pairs), short-tailed shearwater (3000-5000 pairs), fairy prion (20 pairs) and silver gull. The Tasmanian tree skink is present. [2] Rabbits were introduced in the 19th century by whalers. [4] and have caused some damage to vegetation and soil. [5]
The islands are part of the Port Davey Islands Important Bird Area, so identified by BirdLife International because of its importance for breeding seabirds. [6]