Whyalla’s Giant Australia cuttlefish aggregation wins more protection amid concerns over fishing impacts

A fishing ban to be trialled off Point Lowly at Whyalla follows calls from thousands of locals who wanted better protection for the species’ world-renowned breeding aggregation.

WHYALLA’S prized cuttlefish aggregation will be better protected through the trial of a fishing ban off Point Lowly – part of the animals’ breeding area.

A new 100m fishing exclusion zone applies between May 14 and August 10, while the cuttlefish will be in Whyalla.

They were already protected in the adjacent False Bay, but local tourism operators, the council and Giles MP Eddie Hughes had said greater controls were vital to protect the animals and the tourism bonanza they bring to town.

More than 12,000 signatures were collected on petitions calling for better cuttlefish protection after the State Government last year lifted a wider ban on fishing for the animals in the Spencer Gulf, north of Wallaroo and Arno Bay. Primary Industries and Regional Development Minister David Basham said the expanded no-fishing zone would support tourism.

Primary Industries and Regional Development MP David Basham says a new fishing exclusion zone will be trialled this year at Point Lowly. Picture: Emma Brasier

It followed advice from the Cuttlefish Working Group, formed to address issues associated with the population, including its protection. Last year, a survey found a record 247,146 cuttlefish in the area.

“The latest population data should give everyone confidence this species has rebounded back to vibrant levels from the critically low levels of 2013,” Mr Basham said.

Mr Hughes today tabled in State Parliament a petition signed by 4500 people, which called for action on the issue.

Giant cuttlefish at Stony Point on the Eyre Peninsula. Picture: Carl Charter/SATC

He said it was “disgraceful” that last year, commercial fishermen were able to take cuttlefish from the breeding area. “A handful of professionals from the other side of the gulf came over and hammered the cuttlefish and took over 23 tonnes of cuttlefish in a very short period,” Mr Hughes said.

It is not known how many cuttlefish were taken by recreational fishermen.

Whyalla Mayor Clare McLaughlin said the new ban was “a step in the right direction” to help preserve the region’s “important tourist attraction”.

Whyalla Mayor Clare McLaughlin has welcomed the new fishing exclusion zone. Picture: Greg Sketcher

“(The) council will keenly watch the progress of the trial and work with the State Government on any necessary next steps to ensure the ongoing, long-term conservation of the Giant Australian Cuttlefish,” she said.

“The … cuttlefish are of global significance and are pivotal to regional tourism, with visitors coming from across the world to see this unique congregation first-hand.”

The Government recently allocated $2m towards a $4m tourism and conservation project in the area.

It includes improved facilities for divers, upgrades to the heritage-listed Point Lowly cottages, campground improvements and other environmental projects.

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