Greeks who are keen anglers will be happy to brave the elements for abundant calamari this winter. Fisheries Victoria Acting Executive Director Anthony Hurst said there were great calamari fishing opportunities in Port Phillip Bay and Western Port.

“Calamari are great eating, easy to cook, and great fun to catch from piers, boats or kayaks – with the added excitement of dodging a squirt of ink.” Mr Hurst said.

This is a far cry from the days when the only people fishing for calamari were Greeks and Italians and calamari was predominantly used for bait. “Fishing calamari, like other fast-growing and short-lived species, is sustainable.”

Fisheries Victoria research shows they live for up to one year, with the oldest recorded individual aged at 291 days.

More than one spawning occurs through the breeding season, which accounts for the presence of several age groups of similar-sized calamari at various times during the year.

Bunches of eggs are attached to sea-grass and algae. Mr Hurst said calamari’s predictable habit of aggregating in accessible shallow areas made them an easy catch for anglers.

A recreational catch limit of 10 per person per day applies in Victoria and, unless exempt, a Recreational Fishing Licence is needed to catch them.