Gear modifications trialled in Project 2008/017 included: (1) a rigid-frame, steel mesh cod end and (2) a collapsible, nylon mesh cod end. These reduced bycatch of platypuses in fyke nets, and increased the likelihood of survival of other non-target species, without impacting the commercial eel catch.

However, the project identified some limitations with the gear modifications:

1. Clearing the catch from the rigid-framed nets was considerably easier than from the collapsible nets. However, the bulky construction of the rigid-framed nets restricted the numbers which could be safely transported on board a commercial 4m eel punt to a maximum of 2-3 nets. Feedback from industry has identified that operators would need to be able to transport and work at least 5-10 modified nets at once to justify the use of such nets from a commercial perspective.

2. The nylon mesh nets were more flexible and could be folded and stacked flat on the floor of a boat, allowing a larger number to be carried at once. However, the main disadvantage with this design is the difficulty in clearing the catch, as these nets are cumbersome to handle.

Industry has recognised that the gear modifications improved bycatch management in the fishery. However, the Victorian Eel Fishermen's Association has highlighted that the weaknesses described above are major impediments to the adoption by industry of the modified gear.

A key recommendation of project 2008/017 therefore was the further refinement of gear modifications to maximise the likelihood of uptake of the modified gear by industry. The Project Investigators and the Victorian Eel Fishermen's Association have identified a number of opportunities for the further development of the gear to improve its efficiency, and therefore increase the likelihood of uptake by industry. Such developments need to be made for industry to take full advantage of the project findings.

Murray cod is an iconic freshwater angling species yet the species is listed as threatened (IUCN: upgraded to Critically Endangered in October 2008). It's distribution range covers the Murray-Darling Basin and, hence there is an opportunity for fisheries agencies to collaborate to develop and adopt better fisheries management practices to enhance community benefits from the fishery. Such an approach would be consistent with the Primary Industries Ministerial Council Policy commitment to collaborate nationally and use research, development and extension services more effectively and efficiently.

To achieve the above there is an need to:

1. Improve research deliver i.e. improve information flow between fisheries management and environment management agencies to avoid research duplication, break down jurisdictional silo’s (share information), improve cost effectiveness, timeliness and quality of research (peer review),

2. Align fisheries management and policy i.e. there are significant difference in fisheries management approaches between jurisdictions, e.g. stocking policy, population modelling, bag and size limits etc.,

3. Better align research directions to meet fisheries management needs,

4. Better coordinate between fisheries management agencies in dealing with illegal take for sale trade (note: declaration of Murray cod as a priority species in Victoria),

5. Address a growing division of opinion about the status of Murray cod populations between anglers, fisheries managers and environmental agencies.

A cross-jurisdictional workshop in December 2009 is proposed to bring key resource management agencies together to develop a shared vision for the Murray cod recreational fishery. The forum will also faciliate better engagement with the recreational angling represenative groups and ensure research is aligned to fisheries management objectives.

Improved collaboration will ensure research is driven by resource management objectives, reduce the risk of research duplication, drive policy and research alignment and improve the quality, effectiveness and efficiency of applied research and development.