The Island was named by the Chevalier du Roslan in 1771 after his ship Marie Louise.

The attempts failed because of air traffic limitations due to the large number of seabirds.

Additionally, aircraft landing is difficult, because of the steep coast that is littered with rocks.

[7] 6 are IDC staff members, 1 is a medic person for the island, and there is one remaining family at the original village.

The island is bisected by a 550 metres (1,800 ft) unpaved airstrip (ICAO code FSMA) that follows the north–south axis.

It is used as a support base for the harvesting of sooty tern eggs on neighboring Desnoeufs Island during the nesting season from June to August.