American River Aquatic Reserve

American River Aquatic Reserve
South Australia
American River Aquatic Reserve
Nearest town or cityAmerican River
Coordinates35°49′10″S 137°46′46″E / 35.8194°S 137.7795°E / -35.8194; 137.7795
Established1 December 1971 (1971-12-01)
Abolished20 October 2016
Area15.39 km2 (5.9 sq mi)
Managing authoritiesPrimary Industries and Regions SA (PIRSA)
FootnotesCoordinates
Nearest town
See alsoProtected areas of South 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.

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