Fishermen call them “black gold” because they produce clouds of ink when threatened and Spanish and Italian consumers pay high prices for them. However, cuttlefish have been targeted so heavily around the UK that populations have fallen to a dangerously low level, a conservation charity says.
The Marine Conservation Society has placed cuttlefish caught by trawlers on its “fish to avoid” list and is calling for catch limits to protect the species.
The cuttlefish is a mollusc related to squid and octopus and is one of the most intelligent invertebrates. Their ability to learn and remember was highlighted in a recent study showing that they will eat less during the day if their favourite meal is on offer later.
Their value has more than doubled
