The blockage will ban all in\u2011water recreational activity across the creature\u2019s sanctuary zone for 90 days from Wednesday.<\/p>\n
Know the news with the 7NEWS app: Download today Arrow<\/a><\/p>\n Environment and Tourism Minister Emily Bourke said the emergency closure was necessary after the latest survey revealed \u201csignificantly low\u201d numbers, with divers reporting only the occasional cuttlefish in areas that are usually packed with males competing for mates.<\/p>\n \u201cSafeguarding these amazing creatures is critical,\u201d she said. <\/p>\n \u201cThis temporary closure gives them the best chance to breed and thrive at a time when numbers are considerably lower than previous years.\u201d<\/p>\n Last year\u2019s official count recorded around 64,000 cuttlefish off Whyalla. This season, fewer than 50 have been seen.<\/p>\n The ban in the area covers swimming, snorkelling, diving, vessel anchoring and all tour operations inside the zone. <\/p>\n Operators will still be able to run tours at Point Lowly, outside the restricted area.<\/p>\n A tourism boating operator, Matt Waller has stopped their tour season amid dwindling cuttlefish numbers.<\/p>\n \u201cAt the end of the day, we run a business, and we run the risk when we work with the environment; we have good years and bad years \u2026 We take onboard those losses because we think it\u2019s important,\u201d he told 891 ABC Adelaide.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s difficult, not everyone agrees on the whole process, but everyone does unanimously agree these cuttlefish need to be protected.\u201d<\/p>\n Authorities warn breaches could attract heavy penalties, ranging from warnings to fines of up to $100,000.<\/p>\n The decision follows meetings with tour operators, divers and Whyalla City Council, with the government saying the ban could be lifted early if numbers rebound.<\/p>\n Whyalla Mayor Phill Stone said the move was disappointing for businesses but necessary.<\/p>\n \u201cIf there\u2019s a major issue, they need protection. They need us to stay away from them,\u201d he said. <\/p>\n \u201cEveryone has to roll with the punches \u2014 we can\u2019t argue with nature.\u201d<\/p>\n Marine scientists say several environmental factors may be behind the collapse, including warmer water, food availability and the recent algal bloom that spread across northern gulf waters during December and January.<\/p>\n The algal bloom affecting the Spencer Gulf and most South Australian coastlines has been ongoing since March 2025 and has been one of the longest\u2011running and most destructive events recorded in South Australia. <\/p>\n Over the past year, thick green water has repeatedly blanketed large sections of the northern gulf, triggering an estimated 600,000 fish deaths and prompting warnings from authorities as dead fish washed ashore and water quality deteriorated. <\/p>\n Experts told 7NEWS the bloom thrived under warm conditions and nutrient\u2011rich water, allowing algae to multiply rapidly and persist far longer than typical seasonal events.<\/p>\n Professor Mike Steer from SARDI said the population was lower than expected and that closure may bring the population back up<\/p>\n \u201cThe divers came back last week \u2014 we\u2019ve seen significantly reduced numbers, in fact just the odd cuttlefish here and there,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n Steer said protecting eggs and hatchlings was now the priority.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat we want to do is encourage the small amount of spawning that\u2019s happening. The best thing we can do is leave them undisturbed.\u201d<\/p>\n Despite the grim start, scientists say the species has bounced back before \u2014 recovering within three years after a dramatic crash in 2013.<\/p>\n Tour operators impacted by the shutdown will be able to apply for the government\u2019s algal bloom small\u2011business support grant.<\/p>\n![\"Giant](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/00b159eb039d680d9c49abc6eeadf46c5d956cdd.jpg\")
Giant cuttlefish gather in the Upper Spencer Gulf in South Australia to breed each winter. Credit: AAP<\/p>\n![\"Seafoam](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/7df645dad8ab5f073410e6cb475bd7656ce6205a.jpg\")
Seafoam and dead marine life has been a common sight across SA coastlines since March 2025 Credit: 7NEWS<\/p>\n