Giant Australian cuttlefish breeding zone added to National Heritage List

Tens of thousands of cuttlefish migrate to waters near Whyalla for the winter breeding season every year.  (Supplied: Carl Charter)

The site for Australia's largest breeding migration of giant Australian cuttlefish is now on the National Heritage List.

Every winter, tens of thousands of giant Australian cuttlefish migrate to the shallow, rocky shores at Point Lowly near Whyalla to breed, in an area known as the Cuttlefish Coast Sanctuary Zone.

That area is now on the National Heritage List, alongside sites like Bondi Beach, Uluru Kata-Tijuta and the Great Barrier Reef.

Minister for Environment and Water Tanya Plibersek said the move would protect Australia's "underwater lightshow".

"The annual migration of giant Australian cuttlefish to the Cuttlefish Coast is a natural wonder," she said. 

"The cuttlefish put on a spectacular show of colour, shapeshifting and cunning games, creating what is almost an underwater lightshow.

"The crevices, hollows, and small caves of the rocky reef make it ideal for this spectacular, fiercely competitive mating event.

"The Cuttlefish Coast Sanctuary Zone adds outstanding heritage value to Australia's precious coastal sanctuary zones and helps to develop an understanding of our unique natural history."

Cuttlefish gather in the waters around Whyalla to breed and hide their eggs under rocks. (Supplied: SARDI)

Senator Karen Grogan said aside from being a sight to behold, the cuttlefish migration was a major drawcard for tourism in the area.

"This area is a rich scientific resource – listing it is an important step in the protection and preservation of the site," she said. 

"By listing this place, we are ensuring that the cuttlefish are able to continue this spectacular breeding event, as well as supporting further research into this unique species."

The Cuttlefish Coast Sanctuary Zone is the tenth South Australia site on the National Heritage List, joining places like the Koonalda Cave and the Ediacara Fossil Site at the Nilpena Ediacara National Park.

A ban on fishing for giant Australian cuttlefish in the Spencer Gulf north of Arno Bay will expire in May.  (Supplied: Ocean Photography Australia)

It is not the first time cuttlefish have been in the spotlight, with the state government re-introducing a fishing ban in May of last year.

The ban prohibits fishing for giant Australian cuttlefish in the Spencer Gulf north of Arno Bay and Wallaroo.

The previous state government first introduced a ban in 2013 when migrating cuttlefish numbers had dropped to 13,000, compared to 200,000 just a few years prior.

That ban was removed in 2020 when the population reached 240,000 but was re-introduced last year.

The ban will expire on May 13.