Sibsey Island facts for kids
Sibsey Island is a small island in South Australia. It's found in Spencer Gulf, which is part of the Sir Joseph Banks Group of islands. A famous explorer, Matthew Flinders, discovered it on February 21, 1802. Today, no one lives on Sibsey Island.
 Sibsey Island
Location in South Australia
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| Geography | |
|---|---|
| Location | Spencer Gulf |
| Coordinates | 34°38′49″S 136°10′53″E / 34.647°S 136.181292°E |
| Archipelago | Sir Joseph Banks Group |
| Highest elevation | 26 m (85 ft) |
| Administration | |
| South Australia | |
| Demographics | |
| Population | 0 |
Contents
Exploring Sibsey Island's Geography
Sibsey Island has two safe places for boats to stop. One is on the west side, and the other is on the east. The closest island in the Sir Joseph Banks Group is English Island.
There is a special light on the island's highest point. This light helps ships find their way. This spot is 26 meters (about 85 feet) above sea level. A nearby rocky area called Dangerous Reef makes it tricky for big boats to get close to Sibsey Island.
Amazing Wildlife on Sibsey Island
Sibsey Island is a busy place for many animals. You can often see Australian sea lions resting on the rocks. They come from nearby English Island. Many different kinds of seabirds also build their nests here.
Birds and Other Animals
Sibsey Island is part of a special area called the Sir Joseph Banks Islands Important Bird Area. This area is important because many seabirds and Cape Barren geese come here to have their babies.
Long ago, in the early 1900s, people collected guano from the island. Guano is a natural fertilizer made from bird droppings. In 1916, some people were left on the island for 12 days. They ate little penguins and their eggs to survive. In 2004, there were only a few little penguins on Sibsey Island. We don't know how many are there today.
Marine Life Around the Island
The waters around Sibsey Island are full of life. Many marine predators, like sharks, hunt in the channel between Sibsey and English Islands. This area is also known for being a breeding spot for great white sharks.
Activities and Protection
No one lives on Sibsey Island, so it doesn't have its own economy. However, the waters around it are very popular for fishing. Many people enjoy catching fish here for fun.
Tourism and Conservation
Dangerous Reef, which is close by, is also a popular place for tourists. Scuba diving companies bring people here to see the amazing underwater rock formations and lots of fish. This area is important for birds, sea lions, and great white sharks.
The waters around Sibsey Island are also part of the Lower Eyre Peninsula Aquaculture Policy. This policy helps manage farming of sea creatures in the ocean.
Protecting Sibsey Island
Sibsey Island has been a protected area for a long time. It first became a "fauna conservation reserve" on March 16, 1967. This means the island's wildlife is protected by law.
