Learning Intentions

You will:

  • Understand the concept of a spawning ground and why it is critical for species survival

  • Learn what it means when a species experiences a boom and bust population cycle

  • Understand the meaning and purpose of a precautionary approach in environmental management

In this video, we explore the rise, fall, and recovery of the iconic Giant Australian Cuttlefish aggregation in South Australia’s Upper Spencer Gulf. Through the lens of marine science and community action, we’ll learn what made this population vulnerable, what caused it to decline, and how conservation efforts helped bring it back from the brink.

Match the Word to the Definition

Tap a word, then tap the matching definition. Or drag and drop if you're on desktop.

Word Bank

Boom and Bust
Sanctuary Zone
Precautionary Approach
Spawning Ground
Heritage Listing
1. A place where animals come to reproduce:
[ Drop here ]
2. A protected area designed to conserve wildlife and habitat:
[ Drop here ]
3. Sudden population increases followed by major declines:
[ Drop here ]
4. A decision to take action even if not all risks are confirmed:
[ Drop here ]
5. National recognition of a place’s cultural or environmental value:
[ Drop here ]

2. After you’ve matched all the definitions correctly, write them in your workbook or a Word document. Try to put each term into your own words, and include a short example or sentence to show you understand it.

Quick Quiz: Cuttlefish & Conservation

1. What happened to the cuttlefish population in 2013?




2. What is a spawning ground?




3. What caused concern in the late 90s and early 2000s?




4. What management action helped the population recover?




5. Why is the cuttlefish population considered 'boom and bust'?




6. What does a precautionary approach mean?





3. Now that you’ve completed the questions above, it’s time to pull your thinking together. Your task is to explain how the Giant Australian Cuttlefish population has changed over time and why that matters.

Choose the format that works best for you:

  • Write a short, clear paragraph using at least three key facts from the quiz or video. Make sure to explain what caused the population to rise or fall, and use terms like “boom and bust”, “spawning ground” or “sanctuary zone” where you can.

  • Record a short explanation (audio or video) as if you’re giving a science update on the news.

  • Design a poster or comic strip that tells the story of what happened to the cuttlefish and how people are trying to protect them.