The Kneiss archipelago is part of the Gulf of Gabes and belongs to the Ghraiba delegation of the governorate of Sfax, 65 km from the big city. It covers a total area of 5580 ha.
At the national level, in 1993, this archipelago was officially classified as a nature reserve whose purpose is to maintain the existence of individual species or groups of natural species, of animal or plant nature, as well as the conservation of migratory bird species of national or global significance, in addition to their primary habitat.
Also, in 1998, these islands were classified as sensitive coastal areas in order to ensure both the protection of the coastline and its development.
At the international level, this reserve is listed as a Specially Protected Area of Mediterranean Importance “SPAMI” in 2001, a Wetland of International Importance under the “Ramsar” convention in 2007 which has the mission “The conservation and wise use of wetlands through local, regional and national actions and through international cooperation, as a contribution to achieving sustainable development worldwide” and an Important Bird Area “IBA” in 2003 .
All efforts come together to recognize this area as an AMCP Coastal Marine Protected Area.
From an ecological point of view, kneiss is made up of 4 islands: El Bassila (It is the most important island with an area of 441 ha, roughly circular in shape with a maximum diameter of around 2.5 km) , El Hjar (It is the smallest, also called marabout sidi salah), El Laboua (archaeological site) and El Gharbia (or El Ouesta).
Ces
iles et ces zones intertidales forment le noyau central de la zone marine du
Golfe de Gabès soumise à la marée. Ils émergent de la mer à marée haute, mais ils
sont entourés de vastes vasières à marée basse. De ce fait, ils constituent un écosystème humide exceptionnel. Par
ailleurs, plusieurs types de zones humides marines et côtières y figurent qui
sont à priori : les sebkhas, les schorres maritimes, les zones intertidales et
les chenaux de marée.