Cuttlefish is fast-growing and has a short lifespan. Reproducing only once in their lifetime, they will gather in big groups during mating season, making them vulnerable to fishing activities. The stock status is unknown, but cuttlefish resources within the area are estimated to be fully exploited.
The fishery is likely to cause significant damage to some endangered, threatened, protected (ETP) species. Bottom trawling is a highly unselective fishing method with high bycatch rates. In Asia, almost all catches are usually landed because of the increasing demand for low-value (trash) fish. Hence, high rates of retained catch of juveniles and non-target species are expected. Bottom trawling is an unselective fishing method that negatively impacts the benthic habitat, and huge fishing pressure in the region can lead to significant harm to the ecosystem.
A general fisheries management framework is in place, but the large geographic dimension of the assessment involving many countries precludes assessment of the management. Even if management details were accessible, it would still be impossible to lump together each country’s corresponding fisheries management framework. Specific management measures for this species are not available.
