Giant Australian Cuttlefish in the Upper Spencer Gulf are to be protected with the reinstatement of a fishing ban to help the population recover after dropping to a seven-year low.
Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development, Clare Scriven said the closure would protect the only dense gathering of Cuttlefish in the world of its kind and safeguard the spectacular tourism drawcard to Whyalla.
Ms Scriven said it would reinstate the closure which previously lapsed in 2020.
“After the ban was ceased the numbers went down to a seven-year low,” Ms Scriven said.
“Now we don’t want to see that happening, we don’t want to see that continue to happen so it was very important to reinstate the closure as soon as possible.”
The Minister said the closure area was in addition to the permanent cephalopod (squid, cuttlefish, octopus) fishing closure in the False Bay/Point Lowly spawning area.
“The annual migration of Australia Giant Cuttlefish (Sepia apama) to the waters of the Upper Spencer Gulf to breed, is one of the most spectacular natural events in the Australian marine environment,” she said.
“It’s right here on Whyalla’s doorstep and people from around the world come to make the most of this incredible experience.
“The protection ensures a balance between sustainability, regional tourism benefits and the utilisation of aquatic resources in the area.”
Ms Scriven said the ban would be in place until May 2023 but the Government would look at how to make it permanent.
Further information on the latest Giant Australian Cuttlefish protection measures can be accessed at this PS News link.
