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House of Assembly - Fifty-Fifth Parliament, First Session (55-1)
2025-11-27 Daily Xml
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Bills

Fisheries Management (Cuttlefish—Northern Spencer Gulf) Amendment Bill

Second Reading

Adjourned debate on second reading.

(Continued from 26 November 2025.)

The Hon. L.P. HOOD (Adelaide—Minister for Climate, Environment and Water) (12:03): I rise to continue my remarks in regard to the Fisheries Management (Cuttlefish—Northern Spencer Gulf) Amendment Bill 2025. Again, I want to thank previous speakers for their contributions: the member for Finniss, the member for Giles and the member for Playford. I think the member for Giles' reflections on the changes he has seen during more than 25 years of involvement with the cuttlefish were very interesting, and I thank him for those reflections. I think this demonstrates just how deeply entwined these creatures are with the Whyalla community and how strongly the local community feel for this amazing species.

Every year, the cuttlefish draw thousands of tourists, snorkelers, photographers and marine scientists to the Upper Spencer Gulf. These people stay in local accommodation, eat at local restaurants and cafes, book local tour guides and support hundreds of local jobs. Protecting the cuttlefish is not only our responsibility from an ecological perspective but also a huge opportunity to support Whyalla and the Upper Spencer Gulf region from an economic and social perspective.

When we talk about protecting these amazing experiences for future generations, we must also ensure that we are always considering how best we can ensure that most people can access the experience in a safe and respectful manner. A great example of this was highlighted by the member for Giles yesterday when he spoke about Spencer Gulf Adventures tours led by skipper Steve, who now operates glass-bottomed boat tours, allowing people who may be less mobile or not confident in the water to experience Cuttlefish Cove and appreciate our marine diversity in an environmentally sensitive and respectful manner. That might be also a great option if perhaps, like the member for Finniss, you do not want to jump into a wetsuit and into the very cold water.

New and innovative approaches that open up our ecotourism for all members of our community are important in ensuring more people can get out and about into nature and marvel at the natural wonders we are so lucky to have in our own backyard. The member for Giles is an outstanding advocate for his local community and I thank him sincerely for his passion and advocacy.

I also acknowledge the queries I mentioned yesterday raised by the member for Finniss regarding enforcement and ensuring people understand their responsibilities. As I mentioned to the house yesterday, this bill simply seeks to move the current cuttlefish closure into the act, and this means the location or size of the closure area will not change from what it is in regulation currently, and the amendment is not expected to impose any new or additional restrictions on commercial or recreational fishers.

The fishing prohibition relates only to the take of cuttlefish species and will therefore not restrict the take of other cephalopods such as the southern calamari or octopus within the closure area. If anything, this bill provides some certainty to fishers that there will not be any forthcoming regulation changes in relation to cuttlefish closure areas. The closure area and boundary are already regularly patrolled by fisheries officers and have been for a while, given the closure has been placed through regulation for some time. As I mentioned yesterday, any illegal fishing activity can and should be reported through Fishwatch and this can be done by contacting their free phone line on 1800 065 522 or through the SA Fishing app.

This bill introduces the highest level of protection for one of our state's most iconic species, and in doing so gives us the best chance of ensuring future generations of South Australians can enjoy this incredible species and the fantastic show of nature they put on every winter in the waters off Point Lowly in Whyalla. This event really is one of the greatest natural shows on earth.

We know that the South Australian community remains deeply connected and takes great pride in our environment, and that connection drives our continued efforts to protect our environment, our iconic natural wonders and the many unique species in our ecological communities. We are incredibly fortunate to have so many natural wonders here in SA, and you could argue that the giant Australian cuttlefish aggregation is right at the top of that list.

One of the many incredible things about the giant Australian cuttlefish aggregation in the Upper Spencer Gulf each winter, other than the fact it is the only known event of its type in the world for the species, is that it remains so accessible to the community to both enjoy and learn from. Governments at local, state and federal levels have worked together on a number of projects over the last decade aimed at improving infrastructure to support the cuttlefish experiences on offer, and these have been done so in a way that is sympathetic to the fragile ecosystem.

The area near Point Lowly is also part of the state's marine park network, located within the Upper Spencer Gulf Marine Park under the Marine Parks Act 2007 and administered by the Department for Environment and Water. One of the sanctuary zones in this marine park, known as the Cuttlefish Coast Sanctuary Zone, is also recognised on Australia's National Heritage List. The National Heritage List recognises places of outstanding heritage significance to Australia.

In 2024, following the listing, the commonwealth invested $400,000 to help manage and protect the Cuttlefish Coast. The South Australian government, through the Department for Environment and Water, has partnered with the Whyalla City Council and the commonwealth government to deliver a conservation management plan and tourism plan. I would like to take a moment to thank the Whyalla City Council that do a fantastic job in connecting more and more people with the cuttlefish experience through its great work on the ever-growing Cuttlefest, the regional celebration of all things cuttlefish each June and July.

The Whyalla City Council has also invested in infrastructure to support this economic activity, including improving road access to cuttlefish breeding sites. Indeed, this year's cuttlefish aggregation saw 13,000 vehicles drive past the dive site area, with 8,000 people taking part in one of the marine experiences on offer. That is 8,000 more people who have had an unforgettable experience with these incredible animals in our marine environment, many of whom will no doubt become passionate advocates for not only the protection of the giant cuttlefish but hopefully our environment in general.

In my own Department for Environment and Water we are incredibly fortunate to have a key role in researching the giant Australian cuttlefish and determining an estimate of their numbers each year, which gives us an insight into the sustainability of the species. SARDI also have a critical role to play in research. They annually provide estimates of abundance and biomass to PIRSA Fisheries and Aquaculture. The population estimates are also provided to the cross-government Giant Australian Cuttlefish Working Group, which was established in 2012 to coordinate a whole-of-government response to concerns about the population at the time.

The working group is chaired by the Executive Director, Fisheries and Aquaculture, and comprises representatives of PIRSA and SARDI, Department for Environment and Water, Environment Protection Authority, Department for Infrastructure and Transport, South Australian Tourism Commission, Whyalla City Council, Conservation Council of South Australia, the University of Adelaide, RecFish SA and the commercial fishing industry.

This year the Department for Environment and Water undertook four counts of cuttlefish abundance in May, June, and early and late July, with SARDI conducting their count in June. The results this year highlight the highly variable nature of the species with 63,734 cuttlefish counted. It highlights the need for continued efforts on the protection of the species.

On a much brighter note, research suggests that this year's cuttlefish population experienced a successful hatching season, which bodes well for future numbers. Over 600,000 to 800,000 eggs are suggested to have already hatched, with 90 per cent of the estimated 800,000 eggs expected to have hatched by the end of last month.

The algal bloom has not yet had a measurable impact upon the species, but the state government did act quickly to enact protection in the event the bloom reached the cuttlefish coast, installing a bubble curtain as an insurance policy to help shield a large number of cuttlefish eggs. As yet the curtain has not been called upon but is an important safeguard that we have at our disposal should it be needed in the future, noting that the aggregation and egg hatching are now largely finished for the season.

We know there are many reasons to protect the giant Australian cuttlefish and, as I have mentioned, the natural variability of the species and the potential for impacts from algal bloom and other environmental factors are key amongst those. We also know that the former Liberal government allowed the protected area in the waters off the Upper Spencer Gulf to lapse in 2020, which creates another compelling reason to protect the species through legislation through the Fisheries Management Act. I am, however, pleased that the opposition saw fit to support the government's amendments to enshrine protection in the Fisheries Management Act.

Cuttlefish are and will continue to be an incredibly important species for our state, the Upper Spencer Gulf and the Whyalla community who benefit greatly from the certainty of a government who backs them on a number of fronts, including as they continue to build nature-based tourism opportunities around this incredible natural event.

By choosing to protect the cuttlefish we choose to honour the richness of our natural environment. We choose to leave something extraordinary for future generations. We choose to recognise that some natural wonders are simply too rare, too beautiful and too important to risk. So let's continue to work together so that our giant Australian cuttlefish will continue to amaze, educate and inspire for many generations to come.

Bill read a second time.

Third Reading

The Hon. L.P. HOOD (Adelaide—Minister for Climate, Environment and Water) (12:13): I move:

That this bill be now read a third time.

Bill read a third time and passed.

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