Photo Courtesy: Dave Baxter.
Permanent protection for Giant Australian Cuttlefish now in place
In a big win for conservation, tourism and regional jobs, South Australia's Giant Australian Cuttlefish now have permanent protection written into state law.
The Fisheries Management (Cuttlefish – Northern Spencer Gulf) Amendment Bill 2025 officially became law on 22 December 2025. This change means the ban on fishing for cuttlefish in the Northern Spencer Gulf is no longer just a temporary regulation, it’s now part of the Fisheries Management Act.
Importantly, nothing has changed in terms of fishing rules or closure areas. The same protections remain in place: no one can catch cuttlefish in the waters from Arno Bay to Wallaroo Jetty, including the exclusion zone between the Whyalla Steelworks Jetty, Port Bonython Jetty, and Point Lowly Lighthouse.
Whyalla Mayor Phill Stone welcomed the move and its importance for the region.
“This is great news for the cuttlefish and for our community,” Mayor Stone said.
“Locking in these protections gives us confidence that this natural event will continue to thrive. It also gives certainty to our local tourism and the businesses that benefit from visitors coming to see these amazing creatures.”
The update doesn’t introduce any new restrictions and won’t affect fishing for other species like Southern Calamari. It simply makes existing protections stronger by turning them into law.
The Act still allows for special permits to be issued for research, ensuring scientists can continue monitoring the cuttlefish population.
“With cuttlefish numbers growing and more people visiting the area, we’re already seeing the positive impact on our local economy, so this move will allow this to continue for years to come,” Mayor Stone added.”
