Boags Commonwealth Marine Reserve facts for kids

Boags Commonwealth Marine Reserve is a special ocean area in Australia. It is located off the coast of Tasmania in Bass Strait. This reserve covers 537 square kilometers of ocean. It was created in 2007 to protect marine life. It is the smallest reserve in the South-east Commonwealth Marine Reserve Network.

This reserve protects many creatures that live on the seafloor. These include animals like crustaceans, polychaete worms, and molluscs. It is also a very important feeding area for many seabirds. These birds nest on nearby islands, especially the Hunter Island Group. This group includes Three Hummock Island.

Protecting the Ocean Life

The Boags marine reserve is a protected area. It falls under a special category called IUCN protected area category VI. This means it is a 'Multiple Use' zone.

What Does 'Multiple Use' Mean?

A 'Multiple Use' zone means that some activities are allowed, but with rules. The main goal is to protect the natural environment. It balances human activities with nature conservation.

Activities in the Reserve

In the Boags Commonwealth Marine Reserve, people can enjoy recreational fishing. This means fishing for fun.

Other activities, like commercial fishing (fishing for business) and mining, are sometimes allowed. However, they need special approval. This ensures that these activities do not harm the marine environment. Strict rules are in place to keep the ocean safe and healthy.