okay, I had to resort to buying cuttlefish this time round... When I lived in Victoria it was so easy to go down the beach and find a few pieces of cuttlefish. I guess I was spoilt! Does it show up on the beaches here in SEQ? I looked at Rainbow Beach when I lived there, and I've just walked out the back onto the beach here (Moreton Bay) but come up with nothing both times. Was I just unlucky or is there none this far north?

The info I have suggests they only go as far north as Coffs Harbour on the east coast so that might be why.

Burger..

 

Thanks for that.

You never know though if the tides are right you might get a lucky find.

okay, I had to resort to buying cuttlefish this time round... When I lived in Victoria it was so easy to go down the beach and find a few pieces of cuttlefish. I guess I was spoilt! Does it show up on the beaches here in SEQ? I looked at Rainbow Beach when I lived there, and I've just walked out the back onto the beach here (Moreton Bay) but come up with nothing both times. Was I just unlucky or is there none this far north?

I lived at Beachmere for about ten years and used to be able to collect more than I ever needed from along the shoreline there. I think you will find it is there all the time but a lot of people collect it and sell it.Best time is right after a good south easterly wind first thing in the morning before the crowds arrive.Derek

The info I have suggests they only go as far north as Coffs Harbour on the east coast so that might be why.

Nope, not true. We actually catch them off the coast here.

I can only hope!

 

I just did a google search... one guy has found stacks of them near the whitsundays and Mackay... Apparently they live near Tonga and Hawaii too... This is just info from one site, so I can't confirm this as true or just luck, given I know they live in the bay near Port Augusta I think it is in SA.

There are over 100 different species of cuttlefish I believe. The one that is common around the south coast is the giant cuttlefish which is why we get those huge cuttlebones around here. You may find some smaller ones up there.

Normal size on the beaches up here is around 8 to 12 inches although I did find one once that was eighteen inches long and nearly two inches thick. Those big ones are good for crushing into powder.

 

When fishing off the coast they catch them up to two feet long sometimes but the bone in them is much smaller than the animal itself.

okay, I had to resort to buying cuttlefish this time round... When I lived in Victoria it was so easy to go down the beach and find a few pieces of cuttlefish. I guess I was spoilt! Does it show up on the beaches here in SEQ? I looked at Rainbow Beach when I lived there, and I've just walked out the back onto the beach here (Moreton Bay) but come up with nothing both times. Was I just unlucky or is there none this far north?

I lived at Beachmere for about ten years and used to be able to collect more than I ever needed from along the shoreline there. I think you will find it is there all the time but a lot of people collect it and sell it.Best time is right after a good south easterly wind first thing in the morning before the crowds arrive.Derek

The info I have suggests they only go as far north as Coffs Harbour on the east coast so that might be why.

Nope, not true. We actually catch them off the coast here.

 

Thanks Derek! as usual you're most helpfully useful! I actually live in Beachmere, and am building a house here. The units I'm in back onto the beach, so its like 20m to the beach. I went for a look yesterday but only found broken glass :/

Head along Bishop Road, then right into Campbell Parade, right into Louise Drive, left into Bayside Drive and then right to the end. There is a track to the beach. When you get to the beach walk to your left.

 

You will pick cuttlefish up along the high tide mark.

 

Also if you are into fishing you will find lots of rotting ribbon weed along the high water mark just there. Dig this up with a fork and you will find thousands of red wriggler worms under it.

 

Walking along at low tide on the flats and I have also picked up mudcrabs in the mud.

 

Also wading the same flats at high tide using worms or yabbies for bait you will pick up flathead and whiting.

Head along Bishop Road, then right into Campbell Parade, right into Louise Drive, left into Bayside Drive and then right to the end. There is a track to the beach. When you get to the beach walk to your left.

 

You will pick cuttlefish up along the high tide mark.

 

Also if you are into fishing you will find lots of rotting ribbon weed along the high water mark just there. Dig this up with a fork and you will find thousands of red wriggler worms under it.

 

Walking along at low tide on the flats and I have also picked up mudcrabs in the mud.

 

Also wading the same flats at high tide using worms or yabbies for bait you will pick up flathead and whiting.

 

Yes I can see where you mean, I will head up there soon to have a look, I'm just off Bishop so its not far to go

 

I'll let my dad know about the worms, haven't done any fishing myself for a long long time!

Hi there...I live right on the water at Bermagui...Am i allowed to post you some?...I have soooo much i dont know what to do with it!!!!Let me know ifn you want me to send you some....All the best Kirsty

Sorry, You get cuttlefish in Victoria?

 

 

I haven't seen any on the beaches here in ages...

 

What beaches?

You have to be quick in populated areas, collectors go and get it and sell it.

Hi there...I live right on the water at Bermagui...Am i allowed to post you some?...I have soooo much i dont know what to do with it!!!!Let me know ifn you want me to send you some....All the best Kirsty

 

 

Hi! Thanks for the offer I really appreciate it, but given that it's fairly cheap stuff I don't think I would bother given the postage would probably cost more. Just keep it in a bag and sell it to some locals for a dollar a piece or something!

 

I was more asking about finding it on the beach given that I live a whole 20m from it, and if I'm going for walks on it it would be nice to know if I can expect to find it, given that I haven't found any yet.. I still have the same piece (store bought, so its not that big) in my cage that I got 6 weeks ago, and I have 4 birds in there!

 

@Sereptilia, I lived near Philip Island in Victoria, on the beach at Inverloch there used to be loads of it, big pieces too.

 

I would have thought that there wouldn't be much profit in the collection and sale of cuttlefish bone... you'd have to collect a lot to make any money wouldn't you?

I am sure you'll get it there in the different seasons as the currents change and etc ........

Not alot but I know that people with pet/bird seed stalls sell it at the markets on the mornington peninsula. I'm guessing they walk along their local beach for enjoyment and just pick it up at the same time.

Shadow your just north of me. I'm at Strathpine. There will be some great shows and auctions coming here soon.

I'll let you know when.

Those mornington peninsula beaches are nice to walk on....

 

well... most of the time...