St Kilda – Chapman Creek Aquatic Reserve facts for kids
Quick facts for kids St Kilda – Chapman Creek Aquatic ReserveSouth Australia |
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IUCN Category VI (Managed Resource Protected Area)
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 St Kilda – Chapman Creek Aquatic Reserve
Location in South Australia
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| Nearest town or city | Port Adelaide |
| Established | 1 January 1971 |
| Area | 14.25 km2 (5.5 sq mi) |
| Managing authorities | Primary Industries and Regions SA (PIRSA) |
| Footnotes | Coordinates Nearest town |
| See also | Protected areas of South Australia |
The St Kilda – Chapman Creek Aquatic Reserve is a special ocean area in the Australian state of South Australia. It is a marine protected area, which means it is a part of the ocean and coast that is protected by law. This reserve is located in the waters on the east coast of Gulf St Vincent. It is next to the suburbs of Buckland Park and St Kilda, about 24.8 kilometers north of the state capital, Adelaide.
This important reserve stretches from the St Kilda boat channel in the south to Chapman Creek in the north. The St Kilda boat channel is also the northern border of the Barker Inlet – St Kilda Aquatic Reserve. The reserve includes land that gets covered by water when the tide comes in, both in Buckland Park and St Kilda.
Contents
Protecting Our Ocean Life
The St Kilda – Chapman Creek Aquatic Reserve was created in 1980. Its main goal is to protect important parts of the ocean environment.
Why This Reserve Is Important
The reserve was set up for a few key reasons:
- Protecting Habitats: It helps keep safe the special areas where mangroves and seagrass grow. These plants are like underwater forests and gardens.
- Fish Nurseries: It protects places where young fish, especially those important for fishing, can grow up safely. These areas are like nurseries for baby fish.
- Buffer Zone: It acts as a safe space between areas where people fish for business and the nearby Barker Inlet Aquatic Reserve. This helps keep the protected areas undisturbed.
What You Can Do Here
Even though it's a protected area, some activities are allowed:
- Boating: You can use boats in the reserve.
- Fishing: You can catch fish using a rod and line or a handline.
- Bait Collecting: You can collect blood worms for bait using a hand net.
Sharing the Protected Space
The St Kilda – Chapman Creek Aquatic Reserve shares its territory with other important protected areas. These include the Adelaide Dolphin Sanctuary, which protects dolphins, and the Adelaide International Bird Sanctuary, which is a safe home for many birds.
How It's Classified
This aquatic reserve is classified by the IUCN. The IUCN is a global group that helps protect nature. The reserve is a Category VI protected area. This means it's an area where natural resources can be used in a sustainable way, while still protecting the environment.
