The State Government has delivered on its election commitment to protect the Giant Australian Cuttlefish in the Upper Spencer Gulf, preventing the taking of the Cuttlefish in the waters north of Arno Bay and Wallaroo.
The closure will protect the only dense gathering of Cuttlefish in the world of its kind, and safeguard the spectacular tourism draw card to Whyalla.
It reinstates the closure which previously lapsed under the former Liberal government in 2020.
Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development Clare Scriven, and Member for Giles Eddie Hughes, are at Stony Point (near Whyalla) today viewing the area where the spawning aggregation occurs.
They said this closure will boost tourism to Whyalla and protect its unique marine environment.
The closure area is in addition to the permanent cephalopod (squid, cuttlefish, octopus) fishing closure in the False Bay/Point Lowly spawning area.
In the broader protection area of the Northern Spencer Gulf, it remains open to recreational and commercial fishers targeting other fish species including squid and octopus but protects the iconic Cuttlefish.
For further information on the latest Giant Australian Cuttlefish protection measures, visit www.pir.sa.gov.au/cuttlefish
Quotes
Attributable to Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development Clare Scriven
We have delivered on our election commitment to protect the Giant Australian Cuttlefish in the Upper Spencer Gulf.
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. 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.
Local MP Eddie Hughes has been instrumental in fighting for this protection, which will provide extra insurance for this iconic South Australian population, particularly when cuttlefish are moving to the spawning grounds, and during the spawning season.
It is largely due to Eddie's efforts that this commitment was made, and I'm delighted that it has now been fulfilled.
Attributable to the Member for Giles, Eddie Hughes
It's fantastic to see this result and I want to thank our local community, including those who live outside of Whyalla, for supporting this campaign when Labor was in opposition.
The closure protects and preserves one of the natural wonders of South Australian marine life and I look forward to maximising the potential that exists for nature-based tourism in our area.
