Seal Island, also known as Seal Rock, is an island in the Australian state of South Australia located in Encounter Bay off the south coast of Fleurieu Peninsula approximately 2.7 kilometres (1.7 miles) south-east of Victor Harbor. It is located with the boundaries of the following protected areas - the West Island Conservation Park and the Encounter Marine Park.
  Seal Island Location in South Australia | |
| Geography | |
|---|---|
| Location | Encounter Bay |
| Coordinates | 35°34′42″S 138°38′35″E / 35.578242°S 138.642964°E[1] |
| Area | 1 ha (2.5 acres)[2] |
| Highest elevation | 12 m (39 ft)[2] |
| Administration | |
Australia | |
| Demographics | |
| Population | 0 |
Description
editSeal Island is located about 2.7 kilometres (1.7 miles) south-east of Victor Harbor and 3.7 kilometres (2.3 miles) east-north east of Rosetta Head (also known as The Bluff). The island is described as being "a 1 hectare (2.5 acres) mound of tumbled granite bounders scoured of soil" that "reaches 12 m (39 ft) above sea level".[2] The island is also known as Seal Rock.[3]
Flora and fauna
editAs of 1996, Seal Island was observed as having no vegetation while the only vertebrate animals observed was a breeding colony of silver gulls.[2]
History
editThe island's name is reported as suggesting the presence of an Australian sea lion or a New Zealand fur-seal colony on the island during the early 19th century.[2]
Protected areas status
editSince 7 June 1979, Seal Island has been located with the boundaries of the West Island Conservation Park.[4] Since 2012, the waters surrounding its shores are located within the boundaries of the Encounter Marine Park.[5]
References
edit- ^ "Search results for "Seal Island" with the following datasets selected - "Suburbs and Localities", "Local Government Areas" and "Gazetteer"". Location SA Map Viewer. South Australian Government. Retrieved 8 October 2018.
- ^ a b c d e Robinson, A. C.; Canty, P.; Mooney, T.; Rudduck, P. (1996). "South Australia's offshore islands" (PDF). Australian Heritage Commission. pp. 309–310. Retrieved 13 December 2013.
- ^ Sailing Directions (Enroute), Pub. 175: North, West, and South Coasts of Australia (PDF). Sailing Directions. United States National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency. 2017. p. 228.
- ^ Cornwall, J.R. (7 June 1979). "NATIONAL PARKS AND WILDLIFE ACT, 19721978: SECTIONS 29 AND 30: ADDITION TO WEST ISLAND CONSERVATION PARK" (PDF). The South Australian Government Gazette. Government of South Australia. p. 1675. Retrieved 29 September 2019.
Section 724, hundred of Encounter Bay, county of Hindmarsh
- ^ "Encounter Marine Park" (PDF). Department of Environment Water and Natural Resources. 2012. Retrieved 26 June 2014.