Cuttlefish fight brewing at Whyalla after anglers get green light
A decision to allow fishers to target cuttlefish off Whyalla after a seven year ban has some in the Spencer Gulf city up in arms. They say they’re worth much more alive than dead.
Upper Spencer Gulf
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Whyalla’s giant cuttlefish are worth much more alive than dead – that’s the message the Spencer Gulf city wants to convey to those in charge.
Every year thousands of the large cephalopods congregate off Point Lowly to spawn, a marine attraction that attracts divers and underwater filmmakers, including David Attenborough’s Blue Planet crew, from around the globe.
Since 2013 the animals – which can reach lengths of more than 50cm and weigh more than 10kg – have been protected by a catch ban that covered the top of Spencer Gulf. However a recent redrawing of marine park boundaries allows fishers to again take the species in an area off Point Lowly.
In recent days boats have been observed fishing near the main diving area, a situation that has angered local dive operator Tony Bramley.
Mr Bramley said he had dived around the globe, and Whyalla’s annual giant cuttlefish congregation was an even on par or better with anything he had ever seen.
He said beyond conservation issues, it was shortsighted of the State Government to allow fishing for a species that was bringing thousands of divers a year to Whyalla.
“We have been flat out and the borders are closed,” Mr Bramley said. “I can’t even imagine how busy it would be if they weren’t. People have been staying at Port Augusta and Cowell because we can’t fit them in.”
Mr Bramley said allowing fishers to target the species was, “a disgrace from my point of view”.
“It’s just not a good look. Here’s these people who’ve just had a fantastic dive or snorkel and here’s these guys hauling them in hand over fist, boats stained black with ink. They’re worth more by a factor of 100 to Whyalla as a living species. Whyalla has been dying on its knees and here’s this attraction that’s world class.”
Member for Giles, Labor politician Eddie Hughes, backed Mr Bramley’s claims
“When international documentary crews come through here they can stay for weeks, so it’s important from an economic point of view,” Mr Hughes said.
“But it’s also important from that intrinsic value of having a unique ecological event happening on your doorstep.”
Wallaroo-based professional fisherman Craig Fletcher said the reopening of the Point Lowly area was a science-based decision, and he refuted claims that fishers and divers were targeting sharing the same areas.
Mr Fletcher, who first started fishing for the cuttlefish more than 20 years ago, said he could see no reason why a commercial fishery and tourism industry couldn’t both operate in the region.
“The minister has made a call based on science that the fishery is very healthy at the moment and that they can re-open a very small area,” he said. “The area that we’re allowed to fish in is a very insignificant part to the overall area the cuttlefish are in. This won’t have an impact on the wider population.”
“Over the last 25 years that I’ve fished for cuttlefish in the Lowly area I can’t recall ever having a diver anywhere near where I was fishing. The divers go on the Whyalla side of the Santos jetty and we are fishing a small section of the coast several kilometres to the east.”
Mr Fletcher said cuttlefish were a valuable seafood resource in high demand in markets and restaurants.
“I’ve had a rapid growth from restaurants in Adelaide wanting to buy them through the Fair Fish program,” he said.
Fisheries Minister Tim Whetstone travelled to Whyalla yesterday to meet with stakeholders and hear their grievances. Mr Whetstone said that while he could understand why there was some emotion in the debate.
“I want to make sure that I explain that the decision that I’ve made is based on fact, based on science, and based on numbers, which are absolutely prolific at the moment,” Mr Whetstone said.
“SARDI scientists are world leaders in their knowledge of the Australian giant cuttlefish. The decision to close the fishery in 2013 was based on science, and the decision to reopen water is also based on science.”
Mr Whetstone said he had a “gentlemen’s agreement” to not fish on weekend when diver numbers were at their highest.
“The sector has been disciplined and haven’t fished those areas since 2013, and now we’re giving them an opportunity to share the resource. We can’t just lock up waters based on emotional arguments.”
