Seal Bay Aquatic Reserve facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Seal Bay Aquatic ReserveSouth Australia |
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IUCN Category Ia (Strict Nature Reserve)
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 Seal Bay Aquatic Reserve
Location in South Australia
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| Nearest town or city | Vivonne Bay |
| Established | 1 December 1971 |
| Abolished | 20 October 2016 |
| Area | 4.04 km2 (1.6 sq mi) |
| Managing authorities | Primary Industries and Regions SA (PIRSA) |
| See also | Protected areas of South Australia |
The Seal Bay Aquatic Reserve was a special area in the ocean near Kangaroo Island in South Australia. It was set up to protect marine life. This reserve was located right next to the coast at Seal Bay. This area also included the "intertidal zone," which is the part of the beach covered by water at high tide and exposed at low tide. Seal Bay itself is also part of the Seal Bay Conservation Park.
Protecting Sea Lions
The Seal Bay Aquatic Reserve was created on November 30, 1971. Its main goal was to protect a large group of Australian sea lions that breed there. These sea lions are an important part of Australia's wildlife.
Rules of the Reserve
To keep the sea lions safe, certain rules were put in place. People were not allowed to go into the waters right next to Seal Bay. Fishing was also forbidden. It was also against the rules to collect or remove any marine animals or plants from the reserve.
Size and Location
The aquatic reserve covered the entire coastline of Seal Bay. It stretched out into the ocean for about 1.9 kilometers (1.2 miles). The total area of the reserve was about 4.04 square kilometers (1.56 square miles). This area also included the waters around a small island called Nobby Islet. To its east, the reserve was next to another protected area called the Bales Beach Aquatic Reserve.
Changes to the Reserve
The Seal Bay Aquatic Reserve was officially closed on October 20, 2016.
Part of a Larger Park
Even before it was closed, since 2012, the reserve was located inside a "restricted access zone." This zone is part of the Southern Kangaroo Island Marine Park. This means the area was still protected under a bigger plan.
Special Protection Status
In 2014, the aquatic reserve was given a special classification by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN). It was called an IUCN Category Ia protected area. This is the highest level of protection. It means the area was kept as wild and untouched as possible. This was done to protect its natural environment and the animals living there.
