Huon Commonwealth Marine Reserve facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Huon Commonwealth Marine Reserve |
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IUCN Category VI (Managed Resource Protected Area)
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| Location | Pacific Ocean, Australia |
| Nearest town | Cockle Creek, Tasmania |
| Area | 9,991 km2 (3,858 sq mi) |
| Established | May 12, 1999 |
| Governing body | Parks Australia (Commonwealth of Australia) |
The Huon Commonwealth Marine Reserve is a very special ocean area in Australia. It's like a giant underwater park, covering 9,991 square kilometers. This reserve helps protect the amazing plants and animals that live deep in the ocean.
It was first created in 1999 as the Tasmanian Seamounts Marine Reserve. Later, in 2007, it became part of the larger Huon reserve. This reserve is now part of a big group of protected areas called the South-east Commonwealth Marine Reserve Network.
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What Makes Huon Special?
The Huon reserve is famous for its unique underwater landscape. It has about 70 seamounts. These are like mountains hidden under the ocean!
Amazing Underwater Mountains
These seamounts are cone-shaped mountains that rise from the seafloor. Some are 750 meters tall, while others reach up to 1,700 meters. Imagine mountains taller than many skyscrapers, all underwater!
These underwater mountains create different depths and environments. This means many different kinds of plants and animals can live there. It's like having many different neighborhoods in one big city.
Who Lives in the Huon Reserve?
The Huon reserve is a busy place for many ocean creatures. It's a feeding ground for big animals like great white sharks. Many different seabirds also come here to find food.
It's also a very important place for fish. Some commercial fish, like ocean perch and blue warehou, use the reserve as a place to lay their eggs. It's also where their young fish grow up safely.
Protecting the Ocean's Treasures
The Huon Marine Reserve is protected in different ways to keep its unique environment safe. Most of the reserve is a 'Multiple Use' area. This means some activities are allowed, but they are carefully managed.
Understanding Protection Zones
The reserve has different zones, each with its own rules. These rules help make sure the ocean environment stays healthy.
- Multiple Use Zone: This is the largest part of the reserve. Here, activities like recreational fishing are allowed. Some commercial fishing and mining might be allowed, but only with special permission. This zone helps balance human activities with protecting the ocean.
- Habitat Protection Zone: A smaller part of the reserve is a 'Habitat Protection Zone'. This area is very important. It protects the unique and sensitive communities of creatures that live on the seafloor, especially around the seamounts. These creatures are called benthic communities. In this zone, recreational fishing is allowed, but commercial fishing needs approval, and mining is not allowed at all.
These different zones help make sure that the special parts of the Huon Marine Reserve are kept safe for future generations.
