A married couple has been fined after being caught with more than four times the daily allowable bag limit of southern calamari.
The husband-and-wife team was found in possession of 124 southern calamari, deemed to be a commercial quantity, without authorisation and ordered to appear in the Christies Beach Magistrates Court on 4 September.
Magistrate Martin recognised the seriousness of the offending, remarking that members of the public not adhering to fishing restrictions had ramifications for all users and a flow-on effect for the entire marine ecosystem.
Each defendant was convicted and ordered to pay a total of $5725 in fines, penalties and costs.
Magistrate Martin also forfeited their catch and fishing gear, including rods, tackle bags, an esky and buckets.
Additionally, the defendants were prohibited from targeting or catching southern calamari for a period of 24 months, and from possessing equipment, including rods, reels and squid jigs used to catch the species for a period of 12 months.
In South Australia, southern calamari are subject to combined bag and boat limits with cuttlefish under the Fisheries Management Act 2007. These rules help protect fish stocks and support the long-term sustainability of South Australia’s fisheries.
PIRSA Director of Operations, Fisheries and Aquaculture Matt Read said that finding such a large quantity of illegally caught calamari was "deeply concerning and highlights why it is so important that fishers follow the rules".
"These rules are in place to protect our fish stocks and ensure South Australians can continue to enjoy our fisheries for generations to come," Mr Read said.
"Our Fisheries Officers are out on the water and along the coast monitoring fishing activity and take rule breaches seriously."
The South Australian Government has also implemented temporary, precautionary fishing restrictions to support the recovery of fish stocks following the impacts of the algal bloom.
Anglers are encouraged to visit pir.sa.gov.au/fishing-limits (external site)to check the latest fishing arrangements.
A total closure has been in place since 1 May 2026, prohibiting the targeting and catching of southern calamari in the Spencer Gulf, Gulf St Vincent and Kangaroo Island fishing zones for recreational and charter boat fishing.
The targeting and taking of all cephalopods – including squid, cuttlefish and octopus – is also prohibited at all times in the waters of False Bay, Spencer Gulf, near Whyalla.
There’s also a permanent closure to protect the iconic giant Australian cuttlefish in the Northern Spencer Gulf, prohibiting their capture or targeting in all waters north of the line between Arno Bay and Wallaroo. Anyone caught taking cuttlefish, whose numbers have significantly declined this year, faces a fine of up to $20,000.
Outside these closed areas, the daily recreational bag limit for southern calamari is 15, with a daily boat limit of 45.
Anyone who sees suspicious fishing activity is encouraged to report it to Fishwatch on 1800 065 522.
Fishers can also download the free Recreational Fishing App on iPhone and Android devices to check current fishing rules, closures and catch limits.
