The Oosterschelde now hosts dozens of newly released cuttlefish, thanks to efforts from Deltapark Neeltje Jans. This initiative aims to replenish the declining wild population, as reported on September 22, 2025.
- Sepia population declining in Oosterschelde
- Climate change affects sepia habitats
- Unique breeding program at Deltapark Neeltje Jans
- Forty young sepias released into the wild
- Future plans include more egg releases
- Collaboration with Omroep Zeeland for awareness
The cuttlefish, bred over the past three years at Deltapark, are part of a unique European effort to restore their numbers in the wild. The population has been declining due to rising water temperatures and changes in the seabed, which hinder their ability to burrow. Nicole Totté, director of Deltapark, noted that fewer cuttlefish are reaching the Oosterschelde to mate, partly because they are still considered a delicacy in Belgium and France, where there are no fishing quotas.
- 40 young cuttlefish were released into the Oosterschelde this past weekend.
- Future releases are planned, as there are over 200 eggs still in the aquarium.
- The goal is for the released cuttlefish to adapt quickly and start breeding.
- Monitoring will continue to assess the success of the reintroduction.
This initiative represents a hopeful development for the local marine ecosystem, aiming to stabilize and eventually increase the cuttlefish population in the Oosterschelde.
Future updates will follow as the released cuttlefish adapt to their new environment and begin to breed.
