American River Aquatic Reserve facts for kids
Quick facts for kids American River Aquatic ReserveSouth Australia |
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IUCN Category II (National Park)
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 American River Aquatic Reserve
Location in South Australia
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| Nearest town or city | American River |
| Established | 1 December 1971 |
| Abolished | 20 October 2016 |
| Area | 15.39 km2 (5.9 sq mi) |
| Managing authorities | Primary Industries and Regions SA (PIRSA) |
| Footnotes | Coordinates Nearest town |
| See also | Protected areas of South Australia |
The American River Aquatic Reserve was a special marine protected area in South Australia. It was located on the north coast of Kangaroo Island. This reserve was in the waters of a coastal area called Pelican Lagoon. It existed from 1971 until 2016.
Today, this area is known as the Pelican Lagoon Sanctuary Zone. It is now part of the larger Encounter Marine Park. Pelican Lagoon has been protected for a very long time. It is probably the oldest marine protected area in South Australia, protected since 1914.
Contents
History of Protection
How the Reserve Started
The American River Aquatic Reserve was officially created on 30 November 1971. It was sometimes called the Pelican Lagoon Aquatic Reserve. This reserve was set up under special laws to protect the ocean environment. It was one of the oldest aquatic reserves in South Australia.
What it Protected
The main goal of the reserve was to keep the seagrass mudflats safe. These areas are like underwater gardens. Many young fish, including whiting, grow up safely there. The reserve also aimed to provide a safe home for adult fish.
To achieve this, fishing was not allowed in the reserve. Also, people could not collect any marine creatures from its waters.
What You Could Do There
Even though fishing was banned, people could still visit the reserve. Many fun activities were allowed. These included birdwatching, boating, swimming, and recreational diving. This meant you could go snorkelling or scuba diving to explore the underwater world.
The reserve covered the entire lagoon. It stretched up to an inlet. This inlet stopped at a line running from Picnic Point. It went across to the shore near the American River township.
Changes to the Reserve
The American River Aquatic Reserve was classified as an IUCN Category II protected area. This means it was managed like a national park. It was important for protecting ecosystems and recreation.
On 20 October 2016, the reserve was officially closed down. However, its protection continued.
Pelican Lagoon Today
The area that was once the American River Aquatic Reserve is now the Pelican Lagoon Sanctuary Zone. It is part of the Encounter Marine Park. This zone is managed by National Parks South Australia.
Pelican Lagoon has a long history of being protected. It has been a special place for marine life since 1914. This makes it one of the oldest protected marine areas in South Australia.
