Assomption
About the island
Overview
Assomption lies 1,140 km southwest of Victoria. With an area of 1,171 hectares, the kidney shaped island is the largest outer island of Seychelles after Aldabra. It is in fact bigger than La Digue. It is situated just 30 km southeast of Aldabra and is therefore the most remote IDC island.
The limestone rock rises to a maximum of 6 metres above sea level, while sand dunes in the southeast reach up to 30 metres, forming the largest dune system in Seychelles. Some people consider the 5.5 km beach that starts at the old jetty, in front of the village, to be the most beautiful beach in Seychelles – and thus, in the world.
Assomption was discovered by Nicolas Morphey on 14th August 1756 and named after the religious feast of the following day (la fête de l’Assomption).
The limestone rock rises to a maximum of 6 metres above sea level, while sand dunes in the southeast reach up to 30 metres, forming the largest dune system in Seychelles. Some people consider the 5.5 km beach that starts at the old jetty, in front of the village, to be the most beautiful beach in Seychelles – and thus, in the world.
Assomption was discovered by Nicolas Morphey on 14th August 1756 and named after the religious feast of the following day (la fête de l’Assomption).
Island Background
History
In 1892, a species of Booby, new to science, was collected on Assomption by Abbott.
Abbott’s Booby today is one of the rarest seabirds in the world, nesting only on Christmas Island (Indian Ocean). It nested in tall trees, but these were cleared to make way for guano mining which commenced when a settlement was built on Assomption in 1908.
Rivaltz Dupont (who was to found the Botanical Gardens in Victoria) reported that by 1909, the Boobies were extinct. By 1937, the island had been largely cleared of vegetation and was covered by a thick mat of lerb payanke. Giant tortoises, endemic land birds and seabirds were all lost. Over 160,000 tons of guano was scraped off Assomption in the twenty years before 1945 and it was believed that just as much remained. Some deposits were recorded as being 50 feet thick. Guano mining was abandoned in 1984.
Rivaltz Dupont (who was to found the Botanical Gardens in Victoria) reported that by 1909, the Boobies were extinct. By 1937, the island had been largely cleared of vegetation and was covered by a thick mat of lerb payanke. Giant tortoises, endemic land birds and seabirds were all lost. Over 160,000 tons of guano was scraped off Assomption in the twenty years before 1945 and it was believed that just as much remained. Some deposits were recorded as being 50 feet thick. Guano mining was abandoned in 1984.
Preserving the Island's Unique Biodiversity
Conservation
Today, Assomption is one of the most devastated islands of Seychelles due to guano mining, which destroyed the natural habitat.
However, coral reef life is dazzling; much of Jacques Cousteau’s film The Silent World was shot here. Apart from a race of Souimanga Sunbird, endemic birds have been exterminated, including a flightless rail. Alien birds were introduced but were eradicated by Seychelles Islands Foundation.
Assomption was probably never thickly wooded; tortoise turf is dominant on cliffs and dunes. Around the settlement coconuts, casuarina and bodanmyen have been planted. There are three native species of lizard including an endemic race of Abbott’s Day Gecko. There is a small population of giant tortoises. Turtles breed in good numbers though significantly fewer in number than in the past.
Assomption was probably never thickly wooded; tortoise turf is dominant on cliffs and dunes. Around the settlement coconuts, casuarina and bodanmyen have been planted. There are three native species of lizard including an endemic race of Abbott’s Day Gecko. There is a small population of giant tortoises. Turtles breed in good numbers though significantly fewer in number than in the past.
Nature conservation meets visitor experience
Economic Activities
Assomption Island plays a pivotal role as a steppingstone to Aldabra Atoll. Plans are underway for the development of a six-star hotel on the island.
In addition to its tourism, Assomption houses a vital radar complex. This facility serves in monitoring and critical issues in the region, including poaching, illegal fishing, piracy, and drug trafficking.
In addition to its tourism, Assomption houses a vital radar complex. This facility serves in monitoring and critical issues in the region, including poaching, illegal fishing, piracy, and drug trafficking.
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