Barker Inlet – St Kilda Aquatic Reserve facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Barker Inlet-St Kilda Aquatic ReserveSouth Australia |
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IUCN Category VI (Managed Resource Protected Area)
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 Barker Inlet-St Kilda Aquatic Reserve
Location in South Australia
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| Nearest town or city | Port Adelaide. |
| Established | 23 August 1973 |
| Area | 29.60 km2 (11.4 sq mi) |
| Managing authorities | Primary Industries and Regions SA (PIRSA) |
| Footnotes | Coordinates Nearest town |
| See also | Protected areas of South Australia |
The Barker Inlet – St Kilda Aquatic Reserve is a special marine protected area in South Australia. It's located in the waters next to the east coast of Gulf St Vincent. This important area is about 16 kilometers north of Adelaide, the state capital.
Contents
Exploring the Aquatic Reserve
This aquatic reserve covers a large part of the Barker Inlet. It includes the area south of the St Kilda boat channel. It also protects two natural channels: the Angas Inlet and the eastern part of the North Arm.
The reserve also includes land that gets covered by tides. This land is on the east side of Torrens Island and all sides of Garden Island. It stretches into the suburbs of Gillman, Dry Creek, Bolivar, and St Kilda. To its north, it borders the St Kilda – Chapman Creek Aquatic Reserve.
Why is This Area Protected?
The Barker Inlet – St Kilda Aquatic Reserve was created on August 23, 1973. Its main goal is to protect important natural habitats.
- Mangrove and Seagrass Communities: These are special underwater forests and grassy areas. They are vital homes for many sea creatures.
- Nursery Areas: The reserve protects places where young fish and crabs grow up. These include species like the western king prawn, King George whiting, yellowfin whiting, and blue swimmer crabs. Protecting these nurseries helps keep our fisheries healthy.
What Can You Do Here?
Even though it's a protected area, some activities are allowed. This helps people enjoy the reserve while keeping it safe.
- Boating: You can use boats in the reserve.
- Fishing: You can catch fish using a rod and line or a handline.
- Collecting Bait: You can collect blood worms for bait using a hand net.
Other Protected Areas Nearby
The Barker Inlet – St Kilda Aquatic Reserve shares its territory with other important protected areas. This means they work together to protect the environment.
- The Adelaide Dolphin Sanctuary
- The Adelaide International Bird Sanctuary
- The Torrens Island Conservation Park
How is it Classified?
This aquatic reserve is classified by the IUCN. It falls under Category VI. This means it's a protected area where people can use natural resources in a sustainable way. The goal is to protect nature while also allowing some activities that benefit local communities.
