Additional Closure to Enhance Cuttlefish Protection

The temporary closure is effective immediately and will see a ban on recreational and commercial fishing for all cephalopods (including cuttlefish, squid and octopus) in the extension area, until 30 September 2012.

Commencing from the Point Lowly Lighthouse and following the eastern boundary of the existing closure area, the temporary closure area will extend 100 m offshore from the high water mark and follow the coastline to a point 100 m south of the boat ramp breakwater near Point Lowly.

Executive Director for PIRSA Fisheries and Aquaculture, Professor Mehdi Doroudi, said the additional closure was a precautionary measure to ensure a maximum level of protection for Giant Cuttlefish aggregation while additional monitoring is undertaken.

Given the current management arrangements in place, its very unlikely that commercial or recreational fishing poses a threat to Giant Cuttlefish populations, Professor Doroudi said.

However, this extension covers an identified breeding ground for Giant Cuttlefish, so its important that we take this precautionary step and offer greater protection to the species while information is being gathered to better understand the population.

This is in addition to steps we are taking to convert the existing temporary closure in False Bay to become a permanent and ongoing closure.

Professor Doroudi said research was currently underway by the South Australian Research and Development Institute (SARDI) to investigate fluctuations in South Australias Giant Cuttlefish population.

Anecdotal evidence from the community has indicated that cuttlefish numbers have declined in recent years, however to date we have not had access to regular and robust scientific data to confirm that trend, he said.

SARDI is currently working on a project to establish the foundation for a long term, organised monitoring program that will provide access to accurate data on how the population fluctuates.

This will involve regular surveys during the 2012 spawning season to develop a standard methodology for how the data is collected an interpreted.