Seal Island (Encounter Bay)

Seal Island

Seal Island
Geography
Location	Encounter Bay
Coordinates	35°34′36″S 138°38′40″E / 35.57679°S 138.64433°ECoordinates: 35°34′36″S 138°38′40″E / 35.57679°S 138.64433°E
Area	1 ha (2.5 acres)[1]
Highest elevation	12 m (39 ft)[1]
Administration
Australia
Demographics
Population	0

Seal Island, also known as Seal Rock, is an island located in Encounter Bay off the south coast of Fleurieu Peninsula in South Australia approximately 2.7 kilometres (1.7 mi) south-east of Victor Harbor. Since 1979, it has been part of the West Island Conservation Park.

Description

Seal Island is located about 2.7 kilometres (1.7 mi) south-east of Victor Harbor and 3.7 kilometres (2.3 mi) 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 above sea level’.^[1] The island is also known as Seal Rock.^[2]

Flora and fauna

As of 1996, Seal Island was observed as having no vegetation while the only vertebrate animals observed was a breeding colony of Silver gulls.^[1]

History

The 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.^[1]

Protected areas status

Since 1979, Seal Island has been part of the West Island Conservation Park.^[3] Since 2012, the waters surrounding its shores are located within the boundaries of the Encounter Marine Park.^[4]

References

1. 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.
2. Pub175, Sailing directions (enroute) north, west, and south coast of Australia (PDF) (10th ed.). National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency. 2010. p. 215. Retrieved 16 May 2014.
3. Island conservation parks of Backstairs Passage and Encounter Bay management plans (PDF). Adelaide: National Parks and Wildlife Service. 1983. p. 12. ISBN 0-7243-4588-4.
4. "Encounter Marine Park" (PDF). Department of Environment Water and Natural Resources. 2012. Retrieved 26 June 2014.