French Austral Lands and Seas

Photo : François Gilet (CC BY-SA 4.0)

This natural site encompasses a vast area of the Southern Indian Ocean, comprising several island groups and vast marine territories under French sovereignty. The site was inscribed in 2019 in recognition of its exceptional biodiversity and the presence of unique ecosystems found nowhere else on Earth. Located in the remote sub-Antarctic and Antarctic waters near Saint-Pierre in the French Southern and Antarctic Lands, the property includes terrestrial and marine environments that support populations of endemic species, particularly seabirds and marine mammals. The islands and surrounding seas are characterized by their pristine conditions, cold climate, and isolation, which have allowed distinct biological communities to develop and persist with minimal human interference. The site represents a critical refuge for species including elephant seals, fur seals, and various seabird colonies that depend on these territories for breeding and survival. Its designation reflects the global significance of these regions as irreplaceable natural laboratories for understanding sub-Antarctic and Antarctic ecosystems.