Ministry oversees quota-based egg harvesting while monitoring Sooty tern populations |15 May 2026

Minister Marie-May Jeremie leading the team on the visit to Bird Island

The Sooty tern, locally known as golet in Creole, is a migratory seabird that breeds on several islands in Seychelles, including Bird Island, Desnoeufs, and Cosmoledo. Historically, egg harvesting was permitted on Bird Island and Desnoeufs, with Cosmoledo added in 2020. However, between 2021 and 2025, the government imposed a closed season to protect Sooty tern populations.

Careful monitoring and responsible management remain essential to ensure the species’ long-term sustainability, particularly in light of challenges such as food availability, human disturbance, habitat disruption, climate change, and harvesting activities. Controlled, quota-based egg harvesting is therefore a key conservation measure. To continue reading, please click here to subscribe to Seychelles NATION’s e copy