Spearfisher kills cuttlefish at Coogee Beach, prompting marine reserve expansion calls

A spearfisher on Thursday morning caught a large cuttlefish at Coogee Beach in Sydney, provoking shock among swimmers and local residents. The incident occurred within the Bronte‑Coogee Aquatic Reserve, where spear fishing is permitted, but it has revived criticism of the reserve’s limited boundaries and the perceived “blind spot” that leaves key breeding habitats unprotected.

Marine biologist Dr Alexandra Schnell warned that removing a mature adult during the sole breeding season could threaten the next generation of cuttlefish and risk a local population collapse. Environmental Minister Penny Sharpe has received a petition backed by over 1,000 signatures seeking to expand the reserve to cover the entire Coogee coastline, including waters around Wedding Cake Island.

The controversy underscores ongoing tensions between recreational fishers and conservation advocates over the adequacy of current marine protection measures in New South Wales.