Cuttlefish

Sepia spp

 

What Are They
Habitat
Movement
Feeding
Predators
Reproduction
Catch History
Closures
Catch Limits & Legal Lengths


 

What are they?

Cuttlefish belong to a group of animals known as cephalopods. Cephalopods are a sub group of a much broader group of animals known as molluscs. Most molluscs possess an external shell consisting of one or two parts, such as oysters, abalone, scallops and snails. The shell in most cephalopods has been reduced in size (or completely lost) and shifted to the inside of the body to form a structure more like a backbone, and it is this cuttlebone which is often seen as cuttlefish washed up on the beach. A Cuttlefish Drawing
 

The giant Australian cuttlefish is one of the largest cuttlefish species in the world, and can reach up to 60cm mantle length and weigh up to 5kg.

A closure for the taking of cuttlefish exists in the area known as False Bay near Whyalla.  See bottom of page for details.

 

Habitat

The giant Australian cuttlefish (Sepia apama) occurs in all coastal waters and bays from Ningaloo in Western Australia across the southern coast of Australia to Port Jackson in New South Wales and some parts of Tasmania.

 

Movement

Cuttlefish have two methods of swimming. They can jet propel themselves backwards by sucking water into their body cavity and then expelling it through a funnel. This produces a very rapid backward movement, which is usually reserved for escaping predators.

Hovering and normal swimming is achieved by gentle undulations of their lateral (side) fins. In addition, gas can be passed into small spaces within the cuttlebone to change their buoyancy and move up or down in the water column.

 

Feeding

The main diet of cuttlefish consists of small fish and crustaceans (such as prawns and small crabs). When they feed, the cuttlefish shoot out two tentacles, which are usually tucked away in pouches under their eyes. This is done in a rapid whip-like action to seize their prey, then holding their prey within their arms while they consume it. If they are feeding on a hard-shelled animal, they use their strong beaks to crack open the shell and their tooth lined tongue for rasping away at the food.

 

Predators

When attacked, cuttlefish can produce a cloud of black ink just like a squid, which probably confuses the predator and allows the cuttlefish to swim away. Cuttlefish also posses the ability to camouflage themselves to hide from their predators, and is also used to ambush their prey. This camouflage can be seen in the changing of colours and patterns, caused by a layer of tiny elastic pigment sacs found just under the skin.

 

Reproduction

Cuttlefish are solitary animals, but close to spawning time they are known to form localised aggregations with one mass spawning ground located in False Bay near Whyalla. Spawning usually occurs in the winter months and in shallow inshore rocky reefs, in about 8 metres of water. They start appearing at their spawning ground around the first week of May and disappear towards the end of August. Eggs are laid individually within protective casings, and are attached to the underside of flat rocks in tight hard to get at spaces. The eggs hatch within three to five months, depending on the water temperature, with hatchlings looking similar to their adult form, and seen in early September.

 

Catch History

A small fishery for the giant Australian cuttlefish has existed in South Australia for over 10 years. Until 1993, reported catches were very small, at less than 4 tonnes per annum. However, in recent years, catches have increased dramatically due to an increase in fishing effort. The cuttlefish are targeted using a hand-line and a squid jig. Historically, cuttlefish were fished for use as bait or for aquaculture feed. In recent years though, the increases in catch have resulted from the development of an export market for the species, calling for the need of management controls to be implemented.

 

Closure

A total closure exists within the area of False Bay near Whyalla to protect the spawning area.  As a result, it is unlawful for any person to take any species of cephalopod (ie cuttlefish, squid and octopus) within the closed area at any time.

This includes all waters of Spencer Gulf enclosed by a line from the lighthouse at Point Lowly to the southern end of the Point Bonython jetty, then in a south westerly direction to the southern end of the BHP wall near Whyalla, then follow the high water mark along the shoreline in an easterly direction to the point of commencement at the lighthouse.

The area still remains open to recreational and commercial fishers targeting any other fish species.

Click here to see map


Catch Limits & Legal Lengths



Minimum legal length: Not applicable A Cuttlefish

Catch limits apply to a combined catch of cuttlefish and squid
Personal daily bag limit: A total of 15 (including cuttlefish and squid)
Combined daily boat limit: A total of 45 (including cuttlefish and squid)
Closed area:

The taking of all cephalopods (squid, cuttlefish and octopus) is prohibited at all times in the waters of False Bay near Whyalla