Ile des Phoques
As seen from the north in 2021
Ile des Phoques is located in Tasmania
Ile des Phoques
Ile des Phoques
Geography
LocationEast coast of Tasmania
ArchipelagoSchouten Island Group
Adjacent toTasman Sea
Area8 ha (20 acres)
Administration
Australia
StateTasmania
Local government areaGlamorgan Spring Bay Council
Additional information
Time zone
 • Summer (DST)

Ile des Phoques (also called Isle du Phoques) is a rugged granite island, with an area of 8 ha, part of the Schouten Island Group, lying close to the eastern coast of Tasmania, Australia near the Freycinet Peninsula.

Seal hunting took place here from at least 1805.[1] Captain James Kelly is recorded sealing here during his 1816 circumnavigation of Tasmania.[2]

It is a nature reserve.[3]

Fauna

Recorded breeding seabird species are little penguin, short-tailed shearwater, fairy prion and common diving-petrel. White-bellied sea-eagles have nested on the island. Australian fur seals haul-out there and there is historical evidence that it was once a major breeding colony.[3]

References

  1. ^ Kostoglou, Parry (1996). Sealing in Tasmania historical research project. Hobart: Parks and Wildlife Service. pp. 72–4.
  2. ^ Kostoglou, p.73.
  3. ^ a b Brothers, Nigel; Pemberton, David; Pryor, Helen; & Halley, Vanessa. (2001). Tasmania’s Offshore Islands: seabirds and other natural features. Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery: Hobart. ISBN 0-7246-4816-X

42°24′S 148°09′E / 42.400°S 148.150°E / -42.400; 148.150


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