South Australia’s Giant Australian Cuttlefish population has seen a highly successful hatching season, with over 600,000 eggs already hatched and more than 90% of the estimated 800,000 expected to hatch by the end of October. Despite the threat of a harmful algal bloom, the Malinauskas Government implemented innovative measures, including a bubble curtain trial—the first of its kind in the state—to protect vulnerable eggs. This environmental success is also an economic win for the Upper Spencer Gulf, a region that hosts the world’s only known dense cuttlefish aggregation.
To ensure long-term protection, the government is introducing the Fisheries Management (Cuttlefish–Northern Spencer Gulf) Amendment Bill 2025, which will permanently prohibit the taking of cuttlefish in the region, with fines up to $20,000 for violations. The legislation formalises previous restrictions and allows for scientific research under a permit system. This move reflects strong community support and a commitment to safeguarding one of South Australia’s most extraordinary marine spectacles for future generations.
“The algal bloom has emphasised the importance of doing everything we can to protect South Australia’s marine life now and into the future.”
Clare Scriven – SA Government
Source: SA Government 16 October 2025
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