Squid

Sepioteuthis australis

The name for the squid species found predomionantly in South Australia is 'sourthern calamary'. This name is also sometimes spelt 'calamari'. It is thought by some, that the term 'calamary' applies only the squid has been cooked. This is incorrect.

The other major squid species found in offshore areas of South Australia is the arrow squid.

Biology

Southern calamary is distributed around southern Australia, from Brisbane on the east coast to Dampier on the west coast including Tasmania.

Southern calamary spawn throughout the year, peaking in the summer and winter months in South Australia. Spawning usually occurs in waters that are less than 15 metres deep. In the summer months, calamary tend to spawn in shallow waters immediately adjacent to the deep water, whilst in the winter months, spawning will usually occur in large seagrass meadows.

Southern calamary eggs are laid in groups of four or five finger like capsules. The capsules are attached to algae, seagrass or rocky substrates, and are usually found in masses ranging from 50 to 100 capsules at a time. Often after storms, you can see these capsules washed up on the beaches.

Southern calamary is quick growing, and lives for about 18 months. They mature at about 12 months, and by this time they usually have a mantle length of about 38cm (base of head to the tip of its tail), and weigh in at approximately 2.1 kilograms.

Calamary feed mainly on fish and prawns, hence the reason for prawn type jags being such a popular lure used by many anglers. Calamary is attracted to light, and a popular method for catching calamary at night time is by squid jigging under jetty lights.

Limited tagging studies have indicated there is little significant movement by calamary. However, there are a number of difficulties associated with tagging calamary, in particular as they only have a short life span, there is a reduced chance in recovering tags.

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Catch Limits & Legal Lengths

Minimum legal length: No minimum legal length A Squid

Catch limits apply to a combined catch of squid and cuttlefish
Personal daily bag limit: A total of 15 including squid and cuttlefish
Daily boat limit: A total of 45 including squid and cuttlefish
Closure: The taking of all cephalopods (squid, cuttlefish and octopus) is prohibited at all times in the waters of False Bay near Whyalla