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Southern Calamari (2023)

Sepioteuthis australis

  • Nils Krueck (Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies, University of Tasmania)
  • Justin Bell (Victorian Fisheries Authority)
  • Karina Hall (New South Wales Department of Primary Industries)
  • Craig Noell (South Australian Research and Development Institute)
  • Rocio Noriega (Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics and Sciences)

Date Published: June 2023

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Summary

Stocks of Southern Calamari are considered to be sustainable in SA, VIC and NSW waters, while the stock in TAS is considered to be depleting. In Commonwealth waters, the stock is negligible.

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Stock Status Overview

Stock status determination
Jurisdiction Stock Stock status Indicators
South Australia South Australia Sustainable Catch, effort, CPUE trends
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Stock Structure

The biological structure of populations across the distributional range of Southern Calamari is complex and potentially dynamic. One study using allozyme markers identified three genetic types with overlapping distributions and possible stocks off Western Australia, South Australia, New South Wales and Tasmania (data were not available for Victoria) [Triantafillos and Adams 2001]. In contrast, another study using microsatellite markers found little genetic differentiation between seven study sites in Western Australia, Victoria, Tasmania and South Australia [Smith et al. 2015]. The same study identified Tasmania as a possibly important site for gene flow. Life history dynamics and studies of movement and statolith microchemistry in Tasmania suggest some localised population structuring [Pecl et al. 2011]. In the absence of conclusive evidence on biological stock boundaries, assessment of stock status is presented at the jurisdictional level—Commonwealth, New South Wales, Victoria, Tasmania and South Australia.

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Stock Status

South Australia

Southern Calamari is considered a primary species within South Australia's commercial multispecies, multi-gear and multi-sectoral Marine Scalefish Fishery (MSF). The most recent assessment of Southern Calamari was completed in 2023 and used data to the end of June 2022 [Smart et al. 2023]. The primary measure for biomass and fishing mortality is targeted catch-per-unit-effort (CPUE) from jig and hauling-net fishers [Smart et al. 2023]. The total reported commercial catch of Southern Calamari in 2021–22, combined across all fisheries (including catch by prawn fisheries), was 322 t and has remained relatively stable (>300 t) for more than two decades. The total catch in the MSF was 278 t during 2021–22. The combined catch of the three regional prawn fisheries accounted for 44.2 t in 2021–22. Commercial targeted CPUE in the MSF has remained relatively high in both the jig and the hauling net sectors of the fishery, exceeding 15 and 30 kg per fisher day, respectively [Smart et al. 2023]. The recreational catch of Southern Calamari in South Australia continues to exceed that of other states, at an estimated 219 t in 2021–22 [Beckmann et al. 2023]. The above evidence indicates that the biomass of this stock is unlikely to be depleted and that recruitment is unlikely to be impaired. Furthermore, the above evidence indicates that the current level of fishing mortality is unlikely to cause the stock to become recruitment impaired.

On the basis of the evidence provided above, Southern Calamari in South Australia is classified as a sustainable stock.

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Biology

Southern Calamari biology [Pecl 2001; Pecl et al. 2004; Triantafillos 2004]

Biology
Species Longevity / Maximum Size Maturity (50 per cent)
Southern Calamari < 1 year, 550 mm ML, 3–4 kg 3–6 months; 150–200 mm ML 
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Distributions

Distribution of reported commercial catch of Southern Calamari

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Tables

Fishing methods
South Australia
Commercial
Squid Jigging
Unspecified
Seine Nets
Indigenous
Squid Jigging
Recreational
Squid Jigging
Management methods
Method South Australia
Commercial
Gear restrictions
Limited entry
Spatial closures
Indigenous
Bag limits
Recreational
Bag limits
Gear restrictions
Catch
South Australia
Commercial 278.30t
Indigenous Unknown
Recreational 219 t (2021–22)

Commonwealth – Recreational. The Australian government does not manage recreational fishing. Recreational fishing in Commonwealth waters is managed by the states or territory immediately adjacent to those waters, under their management regulations.

Commonwealth – Indigenous. The Australian government does not manage non-commercial Indigenous fishing (with the exception of the Torres Strait). In general, non-commercial Indigenous fishing in Commonwealth waters is managed by the states or territory immediately adjacent to those waters. In the Torres Strait both commercial and non-commercial Indigenous fishing is managed by the Torres Strait Protected Zone Joint Authority (PZJA) through the Australian Fisheries Management Authority (Commonwealth), Department of Agriculture Fisheries and Forestry (Queensland) and the Torres Strait Regional Authority. The PZJA also manages non-Indigenous commercial fishing in the Torres Strait.

Commonwealth – Commercial (Management Methods/Catch). Data provided for the Commonwealth align with the Commonwealth Southern and Eastern Scalefish and Shark Fishery for the 2021–22 financial year.

New South Wales – Commercial (Catch). Data are provided in financial years.

New South Wales – Recreational (Catch). Estimate from Murphy et al. [2020, 2022], based on a survey of Recreational Fishing Licence households. Note, estimates for Southern Calamari are highly uncertain, with a relative standard error of greater than 30% and based on survey data from fewer than 20 households.

New South Wales – Indigenous (Management Methods). https://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/fishing/aboriginal-fishing).

Victoria – Indigenous (Management Methods). A person who identifies as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander is exempt from the need to obtain a Victorian recreational fishing licence, provided they comply with all other rules that apply to recreational fishers, including rules on equipment, catch limits, size limits and restricted areas. Traditional (non-commercial) fishing activities that are carried out by members of a traditional owner group entity under an agreement pursuant to Victoria’s Traditional Owner Settlement Act 2010 are also exempt from the need to hold a recreational fishing licence, subject to any conditions outlined in the agreement. Native title holders are also exempt from the need to obtain a recreational fishing licence under the provisions of the Commonwealth’s Native Title Act 1993.

Tasmania – Commercial (Catch). Catches reported for the Tasmanian Scalefish Fishery are for the period 1 July to 30 June the following year. The most recent (complete) assessment available is for 2021–22.

Tasmania – Recreational (Management Methods). In Tasmania, a recreational licence is required for fishers using dropline or longline gear, along with nets, such as gillnet or beach seine. A bag limit of 10 individuals and a possession limit of 20 individuals is in place for recreational fishers.

Tasmania – Indigenous (Management Methods). In Tasmania, Indigenous persons engaged in traditional fishing activities in marine waters are exempt from holding recreational fishing licences but must comply with all other fisheries rules as if they were licensed. For details, see the policy document 'Recognition of Aboriginal Fishing Activities” (https://fishing.tas.gov.au/Documents/Policy%20for%20Aboriginal%20tags%20and%20alloting%20an%20UIC.pdf).

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Catch Chart

Commercial catch of Southern Calamari - note confidential catch not shown

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References

  1. Beckmann, CL, Durante, LM, Graba-Landry, A, Stark, KE, Tracey, SR 2023, Survey of recreational fishing in South Australia 2021–22, Report to PIRSA Fisheries and Aquaculture. South Australian Research and Development Institute (Aquatic Sciences), Adelaide. SARDI Publication No. F2022/000385-1. SARDI Research Report Series No. 1161. 185pp.
  2. Bell, JD, Ingram, BA, Gorfine, HK and Conron, SD 2023, Review of key Victorian fish stocks — 2022, Victorian Fisheries Authority Science Report Series No. 38, First Edition, June2023. VFA: Queenscliff. 66pp
  3. Ewing, G, Forbes, E, Lyle, J, Krueck, N, Pecl, G and Tracey, S 2020, Where do Calamari spawn in Northern Tasmania and how will this information aid the management of the Calamari fishery in Northern Tasmania? Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies, Hobart, Tasmania.
  4. Froese, R, Demirel, N, Coro, G and Winker, H 2021, User Guide for CMSY++. GEOMAR, Germany, 17 pp. Published online at http://oceanrep.geomar.de/52147/ in March 2021
  5. Froese, R, Demirel, N, Coro, G, Kleisner, KM and Winker, H 2017, Estimating fisheries reference points from catch and resilience. Fish and Fisheries 18: 506-526.
  6. Green, CP 2015, Jigging for Science—Defining the spawning needs of calamari in Port Phillip Bay. Recreational Fishing Grants Program research report, Vic DPI, Melbourne.
  7. Hall, KC 2020, NSW Stock status summary 2018/19 – Southern calamari (Sepioteuthis australis), NSW Department of Primary Industries, Coffs Harbour, NSW.
  8. Hall, KC 2023, NSW Stock status summary 2022/23 – Southern calamari (Sepioteuthis australis), NSW Department of Primary Industries, Coffs Harbour, NSW.
  9. Krueck, N, Hartmann, K and Lyle, J 2020, Tasmanian Scalefish Fishery Assessment 2018/19. University of Tasmania, Hobart, Tasmania.
  10. Lyle, JM, Stark, KE, Ewing, GP and Tracey, SR 2019, 2017-18 Survey of recreational fishing in Tasmania. Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies, Hobart, Tasmania.
  11. Moore, B, Lyle, J and Hartmann, K 2019, Tasmanian Scalefish Fishery assessment 2017/18, Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies, University of Tasmania, Hobart.
  12. Murphy, JJ, Ochwada-Doyle, FA, West, LD, Stark, KE and Hughes, JM 2020, The NSW Recreational Fisheries Monitoring Program - survey of recreational fishing, 2017/18. Fisheries Final Report Series No. 158. NSW Department of Primary Industries, Nelson Bay, NSW, Australia
  13. Murphy, JJ, Ochwada-Doyle, FA, West, LD, Stark, KE, Hughes, JM and Taylor, MD 2022, Survey of recreational fishing in NSW, 2019/20 – Key Results. Fisheries Final Report Series No. 161. NSW Department of Primary Industries, Nelson Bay, NSW, Australia
  14. Pecl, G 2001, Flexible reproductive strategies in tropical and temperate Sepioteuthis squids, Marine Biology, 138: 93–101.
  15. Pecl, G, Tracey, S, Danyushevsky, L, Wotherspoon, S and Moltschaniwskyj, N 2011, Elemental fingerprints of Southern Calamari (Sepioteuthis australis) reveal local recruitment sources and allow assessment of the importance of closed areas, Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences, 68(8): 1351–1360.
  16. Pecl, GT and Jackson, GD 2008, The potential impacts of climate change on inshore squid: biology, ecology and fisheries. Reviews in Fish Biology and Fisheries, 18: 373–385.
  17. Pecl, GT, Moltschaniwskyj, NA, Tracey, SR and Jordan, AR 2004, Inter-annual plasticity of squid life history and population structure: ecological and management implications, Oecologia, 139(4): 515–524.
  18. Sharples, R, Cresswell, K, Hartmann, K, Krueck, N 2023, Tasmanian Scalefish Fishery Assessment 2018/19. University of Tasmania, Hobart, Tasmania.
  19. Smith, TM, Green, CP and Sherman, CDH 2015, Patterns of connectivity and population structure of the southern calamary Sepioteuthis australis in southern Australia. Marine and Freshwater Research, 66:942–947.
  20. Triantafillos, L 2004, Effects of genetic and environmental factors on growth of southern calamary, Sepioteuthis australis, from southern Australia and northern New Zealand, Marine and Freshwater Research, 55: 439–446.
  21. Triantafillos, L and Adams, M 2001, Allozyme analysis reveals a complex population structure in the southern calamary Sepioteuthis australis from Australia and New Zealand, Marine Ecology Progress Series, 212: 193–209.
  22. Victorian Fisheries Authority Commercial Fish Production Information Bulletin 2019. Victorian Fisheries Authority, Queenscliff, Victoria, Australia.
  23.  Smart, JJ, McGarvey, R, Feenstra, J, Drew, MJ, Earl, J, Durante, L, Beckmann, CL, Matthews, D, Matthews, JM, Mark, K, Bussell, J, Davey, J, Tsolos, A, Noell, C 2023, Assessment of the South Australian Marine Scalefish Fishery in 2021–22, Report to PIRSA Fisheries and Aquaculture. South Australian Research and Development Institute (Aquatic Sciences), Adelaide. SARDI Publication No. F2017/000427-6. SARDI Research Report Series No. 1184. 259pp.

Downloadable reports

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