Every winter, thousands of giant cuttlefish gather along the coast of South Australia for the world's largest cuttlefish mating event. These colourful sea creatures attract divers from all over the world. But this year, scientists and divers noticed a shocking change: almost no cuttlefish arrived.
Official estimates show that only 1,811 cuttlefish came to mate this year. Last year, there were about 63,000. That is a massive 97 percent drop and the lowest number ever recorded. Even worse, divers found only about 440 eggs along the coast, where millions of eggs are usually laid under rocks. Because adult cuttlefish die after breeding, having so few eggs means the next generation could be in danger.
Experts believe a toxic algae bloom along the coastline may be the main reason for the decline. Algae are tiny aquatic plants that can grow quickly when water gets warmer. Ocean warming and pollution have caused harmful algae to spread across South Australia's waters for more than 18 months. Cuttlefish and other ocean animals like octopus and squid are very sensitive to these toxins.
Environmental groups are now asking the government to list the giant Australian cuttlefish as an endangered species. While government officials note that cuttlefish numbers naturally rise and fall over time, researchers say this record low is a serious warning sign for marine ecosystems. They hope the population will be able to recover in the coming years if ocean conditions improve.