{{About|the lagoon in South Australia|the protected area | Pelican Lagoon Conservation Park}} {{Use dmy dates|date=September 2014}} {{Use Australian English|date= September 2014}} {{Infobox body of water | name = Pelican Lagoon | image = Pelican Lagoon view.jpg | image_size = | caption = Pelican Lagoon | pushpin_map = Australia South Australia | pushpin_map_alt = | pushpin_relief = 1 | pushpin_label_position = bottom | pushpin_map_caption = Location in [[South Australia]] | image_bathymetry = | caption_bathymetry = | location = [[Kangaroo Island]], [[South Australia]] | coords = {{coord|35|49|10|S|137|47|24|E|type:waterbody_region:AU_region:AU-SA|display=inline,title}} | coordinates_footnotes = <ref name=PLB>{{cite web |title=Search result for "Pelican Lagoon (Bay)" (Record no SA0054251) with the following layers selected - "Suburbs and Localities" |url=http://maps.sa.gov.au/plb/# |publisher=Government of South Australia |access-date=23 May 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161012010923/http://maps.sa.gov.au/plb/ |archive-date=12 October 2016 |url-status=dead }}</ref> | type = [[seawater]] [[lagoon]] | inflow = | outflow = | catchment = | basin_countries = Australia | length = {{convert|4.5|km|abbr=on}}.<ref name=DMHchart12>DMH, 1985, chart 12.</ref> | width = {{convert|6|km|abbr=on}}<ref name=DMHchart12/> | area = {{convert|1520|ha|abbr=on}}<ref name=SAFMp9>PIRSA, 2012, page 9 of 35.</ref> | depth = | max-depth = {{convert|10|m|abbr=on}}<ref name=SAFMp9/> | volume = | residence_time = | salinity = sea water | shore = | temperature_high = | temperature_low = | frozen = | islands = Bird Islet, Goanna Islet, Pig Islet, Rabbit Islet, Shag Rock, Samphire Islet, Wallaby Islet and several unnamed islands<ref name=SAFMp9/> | trenches = | benches = | cities = [[Pelican Lagoon, South Australia|Pelican Lagoon]]<ref name=PLB/><br>[[Muston, South Australia|Muston]]<ref name=PLB/> }}
'''Pelican Lagoon''' is a [[seawater]] [[lagoon]] in the Australian state of [[South Australia]] located on the north coast of [[Kangaroo Island]] about {{convert|18.7|km|abbr=off}} south east of [[Kingscote, South Australia|Kingscote]]. It was named by [[Matthew Flinders]] on 4 April 1802 after the large population of [[pelican]]s present in its waters and adjoining shorelines. Its role as fishery hatchery had been identified by the early 20th century with the result that fishing in its waters has been restricted in varying degrees.
Since 1971, the entire lagoon was part of a [[marine protected area]] known as the [[American River Aquatic Reserve]] (abolished 2016), where all fishing and the collection of marine organisms is prohibited. Since 2012, the Pelican Lagoon Sanctuary Zone has been within Encounter Marine Park and managed by [[National Parks South Australia]]. The lagoon is probably the oldest marine protected area in South Australia, having been protected since 1914.
== Description == Pelican Lagoon is a seawater lagoon located about {{convert|2.9|km|abbr=off}} south of [[American River, South Australia|American River]] and about {{convert|18.7|km|abbr=off}} south east of Kingscote. The lagoon is bounded by [[Dudley Peninsula]] to the east, the main body of Kangaroo Island to the west, an [[isthmus]] connecting the above-mentioned bodies of land to the south and an unnamed peninsula to the north that separates it from [[Eastern Cove (South Australia)|Eastern Cove]]. The lagoon is connected to Eastern Cove in [[Nepean Bay]] by an [[inlet]] named American River.<ref name=BIA>BIA, 2005, page 186.</ref> Hog Bay Road which is the main road connecting [[Penneshaw, South Australia|Penneshaw]] to Kingscote passes on the east and south sides of the lagoon.<ref name=PIRSA-AR>PIRSA, 2007.</ref><ref>Department of Environment and Planning, 1987, page 64.</ref><ref name=AHD>Australian Government Department of the Environment, after 1971, American River Marine and Coastal Area.</ref><ref name=gazeteer>{{Gazetteer of Australia|name=American River |feature= SA0001180}}</ref>
The lagoon itself consists of two branches - one on the east side and the other on the west side which was described as being the ‘southern branch’ by Flinders in 1802.<ref name=Flinders/> The lagoon is drained of water by tidal flow via a narrow channel of {{convert|3|to(-)|5|m|ft}} in depth and which passes through the west branch in order to reach the east branch. The tidal flow is reported as being as high as {{convert|3|kn|abbr=on}}.<ref name=SAFMp9/>
The west branch has an average water depth of {{convert|0.9|m|abbr=off}} presumably at low water while the eastern branch has several deeper areas - the majority of its north side ranges in depth from {{convert|3|to(-)|9.9|m|ft}} and its south side has a number of deeper areas in the range of {{convert|1|to(-)|2.9|m|ft}}.<ref name=SAFMp9/>
===Islets=== A number of islets are present within Pelican Lagoon. Six of these are named as follows (from east to west): Rabbit Islet, Bird Islet, Goanna Islet, Pig Islet, Wallaby Islet, Shag Rock and Samphire Islet.<ref name=SAFMp9/>
==Flora and fauna==
===Flora===
====Terrestrial==== The islands within the lagoon support [[heathlands]] dominated by [[Olearia axillaris|Coastal Daisybush]] and [[Pimelea serpyllifolia|Thyme Riceflower]]. The coastline enclosing the lagoon supports a range of vegetation types dominated by heathlands of ''[[Acacia leiophylla]]'' and ''[[Orthrosanthus|Orthrosanthus multiflorus]]'', herb lands of ''[[Packera obovata|Senecio odoratus]]'', [[Mallee (habit)|coastal mallee scrub]] of ''Eucalyptus diversifolia'', [[samphire]] flats and grazed grasslands.<ref name=AHD/>
====Intertidal and sub tidal==== Samphire grows on the mud flats within the lagoon which are exposed at low water. The [[subtidal zone|subtidal areas]] of the lagoon are dominated by the [[seagrass]] species of ''[[Zostera|Heterozostera tasmanica]]'' and ''[[Posidonia australis]]''. Various [[algae]] species are also present.<ref name=AHD/>
===Fauna===
====Terrestrial==== Waterbirds that use the lagoon include nine species that breed in the locality such as the [[chestnut teal]], [[pied oystercatcher]], [[sooty oystercatcher]] and [[caspian tern]]. Seventeen waterbird species are listed on international migratory treaties with sixteen listed on the [[Japan-Australia Migratory Bird Agreement]] (JAMBA) and seventeen listed on the [[China-Australia Migratory Bird Agreement]] (CAMBA).<ref name=AHD/> As of 1996, [[Black tiger snake]]s were reported as being present on the islands within the lagoon.<ref>Robinson et al, 1996, page 148.</ref>
==== Intertidal and sub tidal ==== The lagoon is reported as a breeding site for the [[little penguin]].<ref name=AHD/> The lagoon supports a number of marine animal species considered to be commercially valuable. These include [[Ovalipes australiensis|sand crab]], [[Pecten maximus|king scallop]], [[queen scallop]], [[Pinna bicolor|razorfish (''Pinna bicolor'')]], [[squid|southern calamari]], [[Platycephalidae|flathead]], [[King George whiting]], [[Leatherjacket fish|leatherjacket]], [[red mullet]], [[Australian barracuda|snook]], [[Halfbeak|Southern Sea garfish]], [[Australian herring|tommy ruff]], [[Carangidae|trevally]] and [[Arripis|Western Australian salmon]].<ref name=SAFMp14>PIRSA, 2012, page 14 of 35.</ref> The lagoon is also reported as being home for a pod of [[bottle-nosed dolphin]]s.<ref name=AHD/>
==History== <!-- a sub-section re ‘Aboriginal use’ to be added when some reliable source material is found -->
===European discovery and use=== The lagoon was discovered by Flinders on 4 April 1802 and was named in recognition of the large [[pelican]] population present at the time.<ref name=Flinders>Flinders, 1814 (1966), pages 259-260.</ref> Since the establishment of South Australia, the lagoon has also been known as American River.<ref>{{cite web|title=General News|url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article87414715|publisher=The Chronicle|access-date=2 September 2014|pages=31–32|date=1 December 1917}}</ref> The islands within the lagoon were mined for [[guano]] under licence from the [[Government of South Australia|South Australian Government]] prior to 1919.<ref>Robinson et al, 1996, page 134.</ref> As early as May 1905, fishing by the use of nets was prohibited both in Pelican Lagoon and adjoining waters in both American River and Eastern Cove.<ref>{{cite web|title=Miscellaneous News, Protecting fish|url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article5045804|publisher=The Advertiser|access-date=2 September 2014|page=7|date=5 May 1905}}</ref> As early as 1908, the role of ‘Pelican Lagoon on the American River’ as a hatchery area was acknowledged by the [[Government of South Australia|South Australian government]] via statements attributed to Mr. S. McIntosh, the then Deputy Chief Inspector of Fisheries.<ref>{{cite web|title=The fishing industry, facts and figures, superiority of South Australian fish|url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article5180710|publisher=The Advertiser|access-date=2 September 2014|page=7|date=9 September 1908}}</ref> By early 1925, the lagoon was reported as being closed to all types of fishing.<ref>{{cite web|title=Fishing in American River|url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article63719599|publisher=The Register|access-date=2 September 2014|page=14|date=4 March 1925}}</ref> The islands within the lagoon first obtained protected area status as a fauna conservation reserve declared under the ''Crown Lands Act 1929-1966'' on 16 March 1967.<ref name=FCR-1967>{{cite web|title=CROWN LANDS ACT, 1929-1966: FAUNA CONSERVATION RESERVES DEDICATED.|url=http://www8.austlii.edu.au/au/other/sa_gazette/1967/11.pdf |website=THE SOUTH AUSTRALIAN GOVERNMENT GAZETTE |publisher=Government of South Australia|access-date=5 February 2018|pages=961–962|date=16 March 1967}}</ref>
==Ports and other settlements== Pelican Lagoon is bounded to the west by the locality of [[Muston, South Australia|Muston]] and to the south and to the east by the locality of [[Pelican Lagoon, South Australia|Pelican Lagoon]] which both include land zoned for [[residential|residential accommodation]]<ref name=PLB/><ref>DPTI, 2014, pages 296-330 and 371-374</ref>
==Protected area status== The lagoon is associated with three protected areas: *American River Aquatic Reserve, which covered the entire lagoon,<ref name=PIRSA-AR/> but was abolished in 2016.<ref name="SAGG-2016">{{cite web |title=Fisheries Management (Aquatic Reserves) Proclamation 2016 |url=http://classic.austlii.edu.au/au/legis/sa/proc/fmrp2016465/ |website=The South Australian Government Gazette |publisher=Government of South Australia |access-date=5 December 2019 |page=4071 |date=20 October 2016}}</ref> *[[Pelican Lagoon Conservation Park]], which includes five of the islands in the lagoon and much of the land on the peninsula to the north of the lagoon.<ref>Department of Environment and Planning, 1987, pages 64-75.</ref> *Since 2012, the Pelican Lagoon Sanctuary Zone has been within Encounter Marine Park and managed by National Parks South Australia. The lagoon is probably the oldest marine protected area in South Australia, having been protected since 1914.<ref name="Home - National Parks South Australia 2018">{{cite web | title=Encounter Marine Park | website= National Parks South Australia | date=10 February 2018 | url=https://www.parks.sa.gov.au/find-a-park/Browse_by_region/Fleurieu_Peninsula/encounter-marine-park | access-date=25 March 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Encounter Marine Park Management plan summary|url=http://www.environment.sa.gov.au/files/b3e51be9-f461-47c9-b106-a11700a19006/mp-gen-15encounter-managementplan.pdf|publisher=Department of Environment, Water and Natural Resources|access-date=17 June 2014|page=31 of 39}}</ref>
The lagoon is also appears on a list of [[Directory of Important Wetlands in Australia|nationally important wetlands]] in South Australia as part of the "American River Wetland System".<ref>Environment Australia, 2001, page 77.</ref>
==Citations and references==
===Citations=== {{reflist|30em}}
===References=== *{{cite AHD|100822|American River Marine and Coastal Area, Sapphiretown Rd, American River, SA|access-date=2008-07-30}} *{{cite book |title=A Directory of Important Wetlands in Australia|author=Anon |year=2001 |series= 3rd edition|publisher=Environment Australia |location=Canberra. |isbn=0-642-54721-1|url= http://www.environment.gov.au/system/files/resources/18f0bb21-b67c-4e99-a155-cb5255398568/files/directory-ch9.pdf}} *{{cite book |title=Conservation Parks of Kangaroo Island Management Plan|author=Anon |year=1987 |publisher=Department of Environment and Planning, South Australia |location=Adelaide |isbn=0-7243-8983-0|url= http://www.environment.sa.gov.au/files/e41e4e27-da1d-4a81-970a-9e4f00b185f9/PARKS_PDFS_CP_OF_KI_MP.pdf}} *{{Citation | author1=Boating Industry Association of South Australia (BIA) | author2=South Australia. Department for Environment and Heritage | title=South Australia's waters an atlas & guide | publication-date=2005 | publisher=Boating Industry Association of South Australia | isbn=978-1-86254-680-6 }} *{{Citation | author1=South Australia. Department of Marine and Harbors (DMH)| title=The Waters of South Australia a series of charts, sailing notes and coastal photographs | publication-date=1985 | publisher=Dept. of Marine and Harbors, South Australia |isbn=978-0-7243-7603-2 }} *{{cite web|title=Development Plan, Kangaroo Island Council, Consolidated – 20 February 2014 |url=http://www.dpti.sa.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0009/249975/Kangaroo_Island_Council_Development_Plan.pdf |publisher=[[Department of Planning, Transport and Infrastructure]] (DPTI) |access-date=8 March 2016}} *{{cite book| last = Flinders| first = Matthew| author-link = Matthew Flinders| title = A Voyage to Terra Australis : undertaken for the purpose of completing the discovery of that vast country, and prosecuted in the years 1801, 1802, and 1803 in His Majesty's ship the Investigator, and subsequently in the armed vessel Porpoise and Cumberland Schooner; with an account of the shipwreck of the Porpoise, arrival of the Cumberland at Mauritius, and imprisonment of the commander during six years and a half in that island.| url= http://www.gutenberg.org/catalog/world/readfile?pageno=259&fk_files=1486723 | access-date= 5 January 2014| edition= Facsimile| year= 1966| orig-year= 1814| publisher= Libraries Board of South Australia| location= Adelaide}} *{{cite web| author1=Primary Industries and Regions South Australia (PIRSA)| title=Aquatic Reserve: American River| publication-date=2007| publisher=Primary Industries and Regions South Australia |url= http://www.pir.sa.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0019/65413/13._AqResWeb.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150405180353/http://www.pir.sa.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0019/65413/13._AqResWeb.pdf |archive-date=5 April 2015}} *{{Citation | author1=Primary Industries and Regions South Australia (PIRSA)| title= Management Plan for the Pelican Lagoon Aquatic Reserve; The South Australian Fisheries Management Series Paper number 56 | publication-date=2012| publisher=Primary Industries and Regions South Australia |url= http://www.pir.sa.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0020/167411/PELICAN_LAGOON_AQUATIC_RESERVE_MANAGEMENT_PLAN_FINAL_PRINTED_2012.pd |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140904090018/http://www.pir.sa.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0020/167411/PELICAN_LAGOON_AQUATIC_RESERVE_MANAGEMENT_PLAN_FINAL_PRINTED_2012.pdf |archive-date=4 September 2014|isbn=978-0-9807387-2-8 }} *{{cite web|last=Robinson|first=A. C.|title=South Australia's offshore islands|url=http://www.environment.sa.gov.au/files/5a7dbb25-70b9-4ceb-bbfd-a25800961994/offshore-islands-gen.pdf|publisher=Australian Heritage Commission|access-date=13 December 2013 |author2=Canty, P. |author3=Mooney, T. |author4=Rudduck, P.|year=1996 |isbn=978-0-644-35011-2}}
{{Kangaroo Island|state=autocollapse}} {{Bays of South Australia|state=collapsed}} {{Islands of South Australia |state=collapsed}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Pelican Lagoon}} [[Category:Bays of South Australia]] [[Category:Kangaroo Island]] [[Category:Coastal towns in South Australia]] [[Category:DIWA-listed wetlands]] [[Category:Wetlands of South Australia]] [[Category:Lagoons of Australia]]