Australia usually hosts the world's biggest cuttlefish mating event - not this year
Summary
This year, the giant Australian cuttlefish mating event had the lowest number of participants ever recorded, with only 1,811 cuttlefish showing up, compared to 63,000 last year. Experts believe a toxic algal bloom along South Australia’s coast, worsened by climate change, is causing a steep decline in the cuttlefish population and their eggs.Key Facts
- The giant Australian cuttlefish mating event usually attracts hundreds of thousands of cuttlefish every winter along South Australia’s Cuttlefish Coast.
- This year, only 1,811 cuttlefish came to mate, a 97% drop from the 63,000 recorded last year.
- The number of eggs counted this year was about 440, instead of the millions normally laid.
- Adult cuttlefish live 12 to 18 months and die after breeding, so each mating season is critical for the population’s future.
- A toxic algal bloom has affected South Australia’s coastline for over 18 months and is likely the cause of the cuttlefish decline.
- The algal bloom is linked to ocean warming, marine heatwaves, and pollution, all worsened by climate change.
- Divers observed that adult cuttlefish were fewer in number and acted skittishly this year.
- Conservation experts are considering listing the species as endangered due to the sharp population drop.
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