Nelson Commonwealth Marine Reserve facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Nelson Commonwealth Marine Reserve |
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IUCN Category VI (Managed Resource Protected Area)
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| Location | Indian Ocean, Australia |
| Nearest town | Port Macdonnell, South Australia |
| Area | 6,123 km2 (2,364 sq mi) |
| Established | August 31, 2007 |
| Governing body | Parks Australia (Commonwealth of Australia) |
The Nelson Commonwealth Marine Reserve is a special ocean area in Australia. It covers a huge 6,123 square kilometers. This reserve is located in the Indian Ocean, close to where South Australia meets Victoria.
It was created in 2007 to protect the ocean. It is part of a bigger group of protected areas called the South-east Commonwealth Marine Reserve Network. Think of it like a national park, but for the ocean!
This reserve includes very deep parts of the ocean. Some areas go down more than 3,000 meters. You can find amazing underwater features here. These include flat areas called plateaus, small hills called knolls, and deep valleys known as canyons. There are also vast, flat areas called abyssal plains.
The Nelson Marine Reserve is super important for whales. It's a key migration path for many types of whales. These include humpback, blue, fin, and possibly sei whales. They travel through these waters on their long journeys.
Why is it Protected?
The Nelson Marine Reserve is protected under a special international system. This system helps countries around the world protect nature. The entire reserve is given an IUCN protected area category VI. This means it's a 'Special Purpose' area.
A 'Special Purpose' zone allows some activities. For example, people can go recreational fishing here. However, commercial fishing is not allowed. Mining is also generally not allowed, but some activities might be permitted with special approval. This helps balance protecting the ocean with allowing some human use.
