Economy
Principal activities on the Kerguelen Islands focus on scientific research – mostly earth sciences and biology.
The former sounding rocket range to the east of Port-aux-Français 49°21′S 70°16′E / 49.35°S 70.267°E / -49.35; 70.267 (FUSOV) is currently the site of a SuperDARN radar.
Since 1992, the French Centre National d'Études Spatiales (CNES) has operated a satellite and rocket tracking station which is located four kilometers east of Port-aux-Français. There was a need for a tracking station in the Southern Hemisphere, and the French government required that it be located on French territory, rather than in a populated, foreign place like Australia or New Zealand.
Agricultural activities are limited to raising sheep (approximately 3,500 Bizet sheep — an endangered sheep breed in mainland France) on Longue Island for consumption by the occupants of the base, as well as small quantities of vegetables in a greenhouse within the immediate vicinity of the main French base. There are also feral rabbits and sheep that can be hunted plus wild birds.
There are also some fishing boats and vessels, owned by fishermen on Réunion Island (a department of France approximately 3,300 km (2,100 miles) to the north) who are licensed to fish within the archipelago's Exclusive Economic Zone.
Read more about this topic: Kerguelen Islands
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