The NIFTWG Principles state that: "Customary fishing is to be defined and incorporated by Governments into fisheries management regimes, so as to afford it protection." It is necessary to "bring in" customary fishers to the community of those committed to protecting and sharing WA's fisheries resources.

There is insufficient qualitative and quantitative information about past and present practices of customary fishing to support the IFM allocation process. Most information about customary fishing is anecdotal. WA's Aboriginal Fishing Strategy Working Group established a consultation process, but did not address in detail the specifics of customary fishing practices, take, levels of effort, species targeted, etc. This type of specific information will be needed to inform deliberations and negotiations about allocation issues.

Valuable fisheries now progressing in the integrated allocation process include those for Western Rock Lobster and abalone. Negligible data currently exist on the present customary take of these species. There is archaeological, historical, and anecdotal evidence that customary fisheries for them have existed through time, but this is sketchy and no attempt has been made to systematise it. Nor is there adequate data on the other fisheries that will progress through the IFM allocation processes in the coming years. Investigation of agreed methods are required to translate information on customary take into quantitatively comprehensible data.

Mutual understanding is required to make the IFM system work: non-Indigenous fishers must comprehend the reality of customary fishing; Indigenous people may be expected to respond positively to their recognition as sector peers in the IMF program if they are able to maintain appropriate input and influence. A key to recognition, especially in allocation processes, is that it is based on appropriate knowledge and data in which all can have faith.