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Beachgoers were left shocked when a spearfisher emerged from the waters at Coogee Beach clutching a massive cuttlefish, renewing calls for an expansion of a conservation area that locals and scientists claim has formed a blind spot, endangering marine life on Sydney’s coastline.
Swimmers spotted the cuttlefish in the grasp of a spearfisher sitting on the edge of the Ross Jones Memorial Pool with the catch in his lap about 9:45am on Thursday.
The cuttlefish off Sydney’s beaches are cherished by the locals, who regularly photograph the species while they swim. Cuttlefish are an invertebrate that can grow up 40 centimetres in length and weigh more than five kilograms.
Coogee lifeguards were alerted to the incident, while locals signalled they would also contact Randwick Council. A 40-hectare aquatic reserve zone protecting the biodiversity of a handful of eastern beaches ends by the rock baths at northern Coogee, making spear fishing legal where the hunting took place.
But the incident has reignited concerns about the protections for fish habitats on the shores of the eastern suburbs. One local, who spoke to the Herald on the condition of anonymity, described an “undercurrent of annoyance” as the spearfisher dragged the cuttlefish towards the shore.
The incident occurred during peak breeding season for cuttlefish, which reproduce only once in their lifetime.
Marine biologist Dr Alexandra Schnell warned the killing could create “dire consequences” for the next generation of cuttlefish in the waters off Sydney.
“Taking a mature adult in breeding season takes from the population when it should be contributing to the next generation,” Schnell said. “There can be a collapse in the species in that area.”
A petition to establish a conservation area spanning the entirety of the Coogee coastline was delivered to Environment Minister Penny Sharpe last August, after it attracted more than 1000 signatures within days of its launch.
The proposed conservation area would also include the waters off Wedding Cake Island, about one kilometre off Coogee Beach.
The existing Bronte-Coogee aquatic reserve bans spear fishing from the northern end of Clovelly to the southern end of Gordons Bay, to protect the eastern blue groper beloved in the eastern suburbs and other marine life on the rocky shores in the area.
Schnell pushed for an expansion of conservation areas across the Sydney coastline, especially during breeding seasons. This could include “pockets” of conservation, reflecting the travel paths of particular species.
The reserve is managed by the NSW Department of Primary Industries (DPI) which has been approached for comment.
Randwick Council is investigating the incident.
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Daniel Lo Surdo is a breaking news reporter for The Sydney Morning Herald. He previously helmed the national news live blog for The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age.Connect via email.From our partners
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