More protection for Giant Australian Cuttlefish

Giant Australian Cuttlefish will be better protected with a temporary restriction on recreational activities at their Upper Spencer Gulf breeding site from 1 July.

The 90-day exclusion zone applies from 1 July to an area of the Upper Spencer Gulf Marine Park, including the sanctuary zone, between Black Point and Stony Point.

The measure – which restricts in-water recreational activities, including swimming, snorkelling and diving, as well as vessel anchoring – aims to minimise any disturbance on breeding cuttlefish, and help protect their eggs and hatchlings.

All marine park sanctuary zones are areas of high conservation value and no fishing has been allowed in them for more than a decade.

Latest surveys undertaken by the South Australian Research and Development Institute (SARDI) and Department for Environment and Water (DEW) show a significant reduction in cuttlefish numbers this breeding season.

The temporary restriction, which can be revoked at any time by the Minister for Climate, Environment and Water should cuttlefish numbers significantly increase, is supported by tourism operators and Whyalla City Council.

Impacted cuttlefish tour operators will be able to apply for the Algal Bloom Small Business Support Grants. Those businesses are encouraged to contact the Department of State Development to apply.

Annual cuttlefish numbers naturally rise and fall from year to year. Since SARDI surveys began in 1998, numbers have ranged from a minimum of 13,500 in 2013 to 247,000 in 2020.

Notably, after concern for the low number in 2013, the population estimate rapidly increased to more than 100,000 by 2015.

South Australian waters are the only place in the world where the giant cuttlefish congregate annually to breed between May and August before their eggs hatch in September through to late October. Last year, about 64,000 cuttlefish were recorded in the region during last year’s breeding season.

Surveys will continue during the remainder of the breeding season.

Last November, the State Government passed laws that prohibit taking Giant Australian Cuttlefish in the northern Spencer Gulf. Anyone caught taking the cuttlefish faces a fine of up to $20,000.