A temporary ban on recreational water activities will be introduced tomorrow in South Australia’s Upper Spencer Gulf in a bid by the State Government to protect the breeding grounds of giant Australian cuttlefish, which have arrived in “significantly low” numbers this year.
The 90-day ban will begin in the cuttlefish sanctuary area between Black Point and Stony Point in the state’s Upper Spencer Gulf.
At this time of year, Whyalla’s waters are usually teeming with tens of thousands of rainbow cuttlefish on their annual breeding migration, but some boat operators have had to cancel tours due to their low numbers.
Environment Secretary Emily Bourke said the latest study showed “significantly low” numbers this year.
“This is the area where we predominantly see oviposition, where our cuttlefish breed, and so it is important to minimize exposure to our cuttlefish in this area,” she said.
Tour operators will be prohibited from entering the area, as well as activities such as swimming, snorkeling, diving and anchoring.
She said tours may be available at Point Lawley.
The green shaded area indicates a temporary restricted area for water recreation. (Delivered by: Government of South Africa.)
The minister warned that anyone caught violating the zone would face serious fines.
“If people accidentally find themselves in this temporary restriction zone, this could range from a warning to people continuing to operate in this zone they could be subject to fines of up to $100,000,” Ms Bourke said.
“You can’t argue with nature”
Ms Bourke said the decision to implement the ban was made after talking to local tour operators, divers and Whyalla City Council.
She said the temporary ban could be lifted at any time if cuttlefish numbers improve.
She said affected cuttlefish tour operators would be able to apply for a government grant to support algae blooms for small businesses.
Emily Bourke says the temporary restrictions are aimed at protecting the giant Australian cuttlefish. (ABC News)
Matt Waller was one of the Whyalla cameramen who abandoned the touring season due to declining cuttlefish numbers.
“At the end of the day, we run a business and take risks with the environment; we have good years and bad years… We take those losses because we think it’s important,” he told 891 ABC Adelaide.
“If the season is as late as some suspect, and official counts and government polls top 100,000, then I suspect the ban will be lifted… but I firmly believe that keeping people out is hiding our worst fears before they happen.”
“It’s complicated, not everyone agrees with the whole process, but everyone unanimously agrees that these cuttlefish need to be protected.”
Matt Waller says everyone agrees cuttlefish need protection. (ABC North & West SA: Arj Ganesan)
Whyalla Mayor Phil Stone said local businesses were disappointed but the temporary restrictions would “pay off in the long run”.
“We were optimistic that it would be a late season, but given the fact that there are so few cuttlefish at the moment, if there is a serious problem they need protection. They need us to stay away from them.
“Of course it is a big disappointment because they (tourism operators) have prepared for this, but this is a case where everyone has to roll with the punches. We can’t argue with nature.”
He said the closure of the cuttlefish tour season could lead to the cancellation of accommodation bookings.
“It will certainly be a negative for Whyalla to not have additional income; that’s why we continue to encourage people to visit Whyalla,” he said.
“We reportedly have heaps of dolphins, crabs and snapper that you can still see, so there’s still a glass-bottom boat tour industry, but not so much for cuttlefish.”
Algae blooms may be linked to declines
Mike Steere, chief executive of the South Australian Research and Development Institute (SARDI), said while “slightly elevated” water temperatures in the area meant cuttlefish could still appear, the latest counts showed “significantly reduced numbers”.
“What we want to do is stimulate the small amount of spawning that is happening there at the moment,” he said.
“Also, we want to encourage successful eggs and hatching, so the best we can do is leave them alone, and that’s the reason this management strategy is in place.”
The temporary ban aims to protect the eggs and young of cuttlefish. (Attached: Carl Charter)
Professor Steer said several factors, including algal blooms, could be causing the decline in cuttlefish numbers.
He said baby cuttlefish usually swim to the northern part of the bay at the end of the breeding season, but algae blooms were observed in these waters in late December and January.
“So there may be a connection,” he said.
“But we also know that temperature and food availability influence the population of cephalopods, including cuttlefish, squid and octopuses, so there may be a number of other environmental factors that also help shape this population size.”
Professor Steer said not all hope was lost, pointing out that the cuttlefish population was recovering three years after recording historically low numbers in 2013.
“We see the ability of the cuttlefish population to respond very quickly to favorable environmental conditions,” he said.