Oyster Harbour, Western Australia facts for kids
Miaritch/Oyster Harbour is a special kind of water body called an estuary. An estuary is where a river meets the sea, mixing fresh water with salty ocean water. This harbour is always open to the ocean. It's located north of King George Sound in Albany, Western Australia.
Oyster Harbour is quite large, covering about 15.6 square kilometers (about 6 square miles). It's a very important place for many reasons, from helping local businesses to being a home for wildlife.
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What is Oyster Harbour Used For?
Oyster Harbour is a busy place with several important uses. It helps support the local community and economy.
Fishing and Farming
The harbour provides a safe place for fishing boats. These boats use the harbour to shelter from rough seas. People also use the harbour for commercial fishing.
- Oyster and Mussel Farming: A big part of the harbour's use is for farming seafood. Farmers grow delicious oysters and mussels here.
- Dredged Channel: To help boats and farming operations, a special channel has been dug. This channel goes around Emu Point and leads to the Emu Point Boat Pens. This makes it easier for boats to move around.
Home for Wildlife
Oyster Harbour is a fantastic spot for nature lovers. Many different kinds of waterbirds use the harbour. They come here to find food and rest. It's like a big restaurant and hotel for birds!
A Place for Families
Today, Oyster Harbour is also a popular place for families and tourists. People come to enjoy the beautiful scenery. It's a great spot for outdoor activities and relaxing by the water.
Rivers and New Developments
Two main rivers flow into Oyster Harbour. These rivers bring fresh water from the land.
- King River: The King River is one of the rivers that feeds the harbour.
- Kalgan River: The Kalgan River also flows into Oyster Harbour.
The harbour then empties its water into King George Sound.
New Homes Being Built
There's a new area being built near Oyster Harbour. This planned community is located on Lower King Road. It will have about 2,300 new homes. This shows how important the area is becoming for people to live.
Ancient Fish Traps
At the northeastern end of Oyster Harbour, near where the Kalgan River enters, there's a very special historical site.
- Albany Fish Traps: These are ancient structures known as the Albany Fish Traps.
- Significance to Mineng People: The fish traps are incredibly important to the local Mineng Aboriginal people. They are a significant part of their history and culture.
- How Old Are They?: These amazing traps were built over 7,500 years ago! This makes them a very old and important example of human ingenuity. They show how people lived and fished in this area long, long ago.
