Ceaplace Island, a strictly protected area in the Danube Delta

Official status and legal framework

• Framing: area strictly protected of the Danube Delta Biosphere Reserve (DDDBR).
• Conservation regime: full protection; public access is forbidden, except for scientific/management activities with prior authorisation.
• Safety nets: included in the network Natura 2000 (bird and habitat sites).

Year of establishment, regulatory act and administration

• Reference year: 1994 (establishment of strictly protected areas in the RBDD, based on the legal framework adopted after 1993).
• Key legislation: law establishing the RBDD and the governmental decision of zoning declaring Ceaplace Island a fully protected area.
• Administrator: ARBDD - Administration of the Danube Delta Biosphere Reserve.

Geographical features

• Surface: about 117 ha.
• Localisation: in the southern part of the Delta, in the Razim-Sinoe lagoon complexnear the Black Sea coast.
• Habitat types:
  • Skeletal spondyloskeletis (pronounced insularity, low, dynamic relief).
  • Banks with reed and halophilous vegetation in patches, areas of island beaches used by birds.
  • Lagoon waters with shallow depths around the island, connected with the Razim-Sinoe system.
• Relevant natural components: lagoon-sea interface (in the vicinity), insular staging and nesting beaches, reed beds and emergent sandy sandy beaches.

Characteristic flora and fauna

• Flora: vegetation psamophilic and halophilic adapted to sandy substrate and salinity (species of Salicornia, Atriplex, Salsola, sand grasses and pioneer plants).
• Fish & invertebrates: communities typical of variable salinity lagoons (important as a trophic resource for birds).
• Birds (main focus):
  • Sterne: chire de baltă (Hirundo tern), small chire (Sternula albifrons), Thalasseus sandvicensis;
  • Seagulls: Pontic gull (Larus cachinnans) and other wader species;
  • Barnacles & egretsThey use the area for feeding;
  • Pelicani (white and curly) - frequent visitors/transit;
  • Wader species: nuthatches, whistlers, and plondurans - use the island's beaches as resting and feeding places.
• Ornithological role: place nesting for tern and gull colonies and feeding area for a wide range of aquatic birds and waders.

Ecological role

• Nodal point in the spring/autumn migration: sandy beaches and sands provide rest and food migratory birds.
• Ecological connectivity: energy links Razim-Sinoe complex with the Black Sea coast and other strictly protected islands/grills in the south of the Delta.
• Refuge: insularity and restricted access minimise disruption, keeping optimal conditions for colonies.

Threats and conservation

• Main threats:
  • Human disturbance (unauthorised landings, off-road tourism, drones), especially during the nesting season;
  • Coastal erosion and sediment dynamics of the island (modifies nesting beaches);
  • Terrestrial predators accidentally landed on the island and stray dogs from boats;
  • Pollution (floating waste, microplastics) and poaching in the enlarged lagoon area.
• Measures/efforts:
  • Full protection scheme and monitoring regular bird colony surveys;
  • Buffer zone lagoon around the strictly protected perimeter;
  • Information campaigns for tour operators and boats on minimum distances to bird colonies;
  • Management interventions as needed (limiting access, controlling disturbance/spot-authorisation of research).

Access and tourism rules

• Public access is forbidden in the perimeter Ceaplace Island (strictly protected area).
• Visiting is possible for scientific or management purposes onlywith ARBDD opinion/permits.
• Tourism is practised only on authorised routes in the neighbourhood (in the Razim-Sinoe area or on approved channels), respecting licences and protective distances towards the colonies.
• Tip: spot wildlife remotewith authorised local guidesno landings on the island.