Fears for sea lions as suspected bird flu spreads to breeding ground

South Australia’s giant cuttlefish population has plummeted by 97 percent, according to recent counts by the state’s Department of Primary Industries and Regions (PIRSA). The drastic decline follows a sharp drop from 63,000 individuals recorded in the Spencer Gulf last year to just 1,811 this year. The figure marks the lowest number since 2013, when PIRSA documented 13,000 cuttlefish. The findings have raised alarms among scientists and conservationists, who warn of potential long-term consequences for the species. The annual aggregation of giant cuttlefish near Whyalla, one of the few known mass-breeding sites globally, has historically drawn large numbers of the creatures during the winter months. This year, however, researchers found only 440 eggs spread across 8 kilometers of coastline, far below the usual expectations. “Along that 8 kilometers of coastline we only found 440 eggs,” said Manny Katz, a marine biologist and director of the Eyre Lab. He added that his team examined every accessible site and found no eggs at several locations, raising concerns about the survival of the next generation. The decline comes amid reports of a harmful algal bloom in the region, which experts believe may have played a role in reducing cuttlefish numbers. South Australian Research and Development Institute executive director Professor Mike Steer noted that the algal bloom could have affected juvenile cuttlefish, many of whom died as a result of the environmental disturbance. “We saw those [giant cuttlefish] eggs successfully hatch last year,” he explained. “Those went into the water where the bloom was present, where we’d expect to see those juveniles and sub-adults. So it's likely that it's had an impact.” The life cycle of the giant cuttlefish adds urgency to the situation. Adult cuttlefish typically die shortly after spawning, making their survival critical to the continuation of the species. “Normally when there's tens of thousands of cuttlefish and each female is laying dozens of eggs, you would expect there to be millions along the coastline,” Katz said. His team’s findings suggest that the current egg count may lead to a severe population crash in the coming year. Despite these challenges, there is still cautious optimism. Professor Steer pointed to past recoveries, such as the rebound observed after the 2013 population dip. “In 2013 when numbers dropped down they popped back up in a couple of years,” he said. “Cuttlefish breed one year, die, and then the resulting hatchlings make up the population next year.” However, the speed and extent of recovery remain uncertain given the scale of the current decline. Conservation efforts are already underway. Invertebrates Australia has submitted an application to list the giant cuttlefish on the International Union for Conservation of Nature Red List of Threatened Species. Meanwhile, South Australian Climate, Environment and Water Minister Emily Bourke emphasized the importance of protecting the species. “It's the only place where our giant cuttlefish come for breeding,” she said. “So we see this population as a priority to protect.” Federal authorities have responded to the crisis by requesting an urgent review of the species’ status under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act. A spokesperson for the federal government stated that the reduction in giant cuttlefish populations in the Spencer Gulf is “very concerning” and that Environment and Water Minister Murray Watt has directed the Threatened Species Scientific Committee to assess whether a listing is warranted. To better understand the dynamics of the cuttlefish population, a joint research project involving the state government and Adelaide University will monitor the species until 2028. Additional studies will focus on refining methods for counting cuttlefish numbers. These initiatives are supported by a portion of the $165 million allocated by both federal and state governments for addressing the impacts of the algal bloom.