Given increasing complexity in fisheries management and additional scrutiny on managers, there is a need for fisheries managers from the different jurisdictions to meet as a group to exchange ideas and initiatives and build networks. The Australian Fisheries Management Forum (AFMF), comprised of the respective heads of Commonwealth and State/Territory management agencies, supports the need for such a forum.

Similar cross-fertilisation forums exist between researchers through the Australian Society for Fish Biology (ASFB) and the National Compliance Committee for compliance officers.

It has been a considerable period since fisheries managers workshops were last held. Previous workshops occurred in the 1980s and early 1990s. In March 2014, a two-day national fisheries management workshop was held in Adelaide at the South Australian Aquatic Sciences Centre. This workshop was overseen by the AFMF’s Fisheries Management Sub-Committee (FMSC), with funding support from the Fisheries Research and Development Corporation (FRDC). Recommendations arising from this workshop included convening a subsequent fisheries managers workshop in 12-24 months and the formation of an Australian Professional Fisheries Management Society.

As an interim arrangement pending the potential formation of a professional fisheries managers society as a chapter of ASFB, the FMSC has agreed to hold another fisheries managers workshop, which Queensland will host in October 2017.

Future workshops will be held to coincide with ASFB annually (starting in 2018).

The NSW RAC intention is to utilize each sectors R&D Strategic Plans to form a component of the NSW RAC Plan. The NSW Commercial Fishing R&D Strategic Plan is outdated and no longer relevant.

Strategic planning is central to the ensuring funding of research, develop and extension is prioritized and meets industry needs. A five year plan will guide investment in R,D & E, and each year the Fisheries Research Advisory Committee needs to scan its business environment and review its RD&E activities to ensure its portfolio is balanced, well directed and meets the needs of the NSW commercial fishing industry.

To ensure that the FRDC's RD&E investment is undertaken with reference to the priorities of the NSW commercial fishing industry a strategic plan must be developed through extensive consultation with key stakeholders and the PFA.

The PFA has identified that a industry workshop should be held to understand the research and development needs for the NSW commercial fishing industry and information gaps. The PFA proposes that a R&D Strategic Plan is needed for the NSW commercial fishing industry to ensure relevant and strategic priorities are set for the industry.