Cuttlefish on the Brink | Adelaide News

The giant Australian cuttlefish in the Northern Spencer Gulf are facing extinction after plummeting from hundreds of thousands to just fifty this year — a catastrophic drop that threatens the only known population of its kind on Earth. These cuttlefish gather annually near Whyalla to breed, then die, but their unique aggregation is now at risk from climate-driven algal blooms and warming waters. Despite past recoveries, like the 2020 surge of over 247,000, scientists warn even a 20-fold rebound would still leave them dangerously low. A failed 2011 attempt to classify them as biologically unique underscores the urgency: without immediate action — including fossil fuel phaseouts and captive breeding — this irreplaceable marine event could vanish forever. South Australia now holds the power to force federal climate action before it’s too late. Listen in comfort:Get a discount on a Soli Pillow: http://solipillow.com/discount/dnn. Advertise on DNN:[email protected] This is an automated, high-level news summary based on public reporting.Report issues to [email protected]. View sources & latest updates:https://sources.thednn.ai/4d40da9af980f9db