Given the iconic nature of the Point Lowly cuttlefish population there is a need to provide a robust assessment of its annual status to inform management and the general public. Currently, management has initiated a spatial closure for upper Spencer Gulf (North of Wallaroo) as a precautionary measure to ensure that the cuttlefish population is not unnecessarily compromised by commercial and recreational fishing. Although, fishing has not been specifically identified to detrimentally affect the population it was the most amenable factor to control. It is therefore important to assess the relative status of the Point Lowly cuttlefish population to inform management and assist in the development of the most appropriate management strategies. Quantifying cuttlefish by-catch in association with this closure will provide greater resolution in regard to fishing pressure.

There is also a need to determine whether there are alternate spawning grounds for the Giant Australian cuttlefish in northern Spencer Gulf to determine the relative conservational significance of Point Lowly and whether other areas within the region may require additional management consideration. It is clear that cuttlefish aggregate on the reef fringing Point Lowly, however, the specific characteristics and preferred dimensions of their dens and spawning substrate is unknown. For example, the preferred orientation, surface texture, depth range and exposure of natural spawning dens is not understood. Also there is a requirement to understand whether coastal pollutants play a role in shaping the distribution and relative abundance of aggregating cuttlefish. This level of information is required prior to the development and deployment of artificial spawning habitat that may be required to either mitigate habitat loss in the future or promote spawning in other areas where the habitat may be limited.