world.wikisort.org - Australia

American River Aquatic Reserve was a marine protected area in the Australian state of South Australia located on the north coast of Kangaroo Island in waters of the coastal lagoon known as Pelican Lagoon, in existence from 1971 to 2016. From 2012, the Pelican Lagoon Sanctuary Zone has fallen within the Encounter Marine Park. Pelican Lagoon is probably the oldest marine protected area in South Australia, having been protected since 1914.

American River Aquatic Reserve South Australia
IUCN category II (national park)
American River Aquatic Reserve
Nearest town or city	American River
Coordinates	35.8194°S 137.7795°E / -35.8194; 137.7795
Established	1 December 1971 (1971-12-01)[1]
Abolished	20 October 2016
Area	15.39 km2 (5.9 sq mi)[2]
Managing authorities	Primary Industries and Regions SA (PIRSA)
Footnotes	Coordinates[2] Nearest town[3]
See also	Protected areas of South Australia

It was classified as an IUCN Category II protected area. On 20 October 2016, the reserve was abolished.

History and description

American River Aquatic Reserve, also called the Pelican Lagoon Aquatic Reserve in some sources, was declared on 30 November 1971 under the Fisheries Act 1971 and was re-proclaimed in 2007 following the enactment of the Fisheries Management Act 2007.[1][4] In 1987, it was reported as being the oldest operating aquatic reserve created under fisheries legislation in South Australia.[5][4][3][6]

From 2012, it was located within the boundaries of a “sanctuary zone” within the Encounter Marine Park.[7]

The aquatic reserve was classified as an IUCN Category II protected area.[2]

On 20 October 2016, the reserve was abolished.[8]

Description

The purpose of the aquatic reserve was to "protect seagrass mudflats and to provide a sanctuary for juvenile and adult fish, including whiting".[5] This was achieved by the prohibition of both fishing and the collection of marine organisms within its waters. Access was permitted and activities such as birdwatching, boating, swimming and recreational diving (i.e. snorkelling and scuba diving) were also permitted. The aquatic reserve covered the full extent of the lagoon up including part of the inlet stopping at a line running from Picnic Point across to the adjoining shore just south of the American River township.[6][3][5]

Present

The Pelican Lagoon Sanctuary Zone lies within Encounter Marine Park and is managed by National Parks South Australia. Pelican Lagoon is probably the oldest marine protected area in South Australia, having been protected since 1914.[9]

See also

• Protected areas of South Australia

References

External links

• Entry for American River Aquatic Reserve on the Protected Planet website

---