Australia’s fisheries research agencies all conduct stock assessments of varying complexities to assess the status of key fish stocks. However, the modelling approaches taken, data analyses that underpins the stock assessments and the level of peer review that is undertaken are variable (Dichmont et al. 2018, Haddon et al. 2018). The Status of Australian Fish Stocks (SAFS; Flood et al. 2016) program has aimed to make the reporting of these assessments consistent among jurisdictions. Additionally, in recognition of the data limited nature of many of the species being assessed in SAFS there has also been work undertaken to train jurisdictional stock assessment staff in data limited stock assessment techniques (Haddon et al. 2019). However, while there are a substantial amount of modelling tools available, most jurisdictions have stock assessment scientists that are model users rather than developers. Consequently, there is a need to provide guidance on how to use these appropriately so as to strengthen the quality of the outputs of the models. Developing guidance (defined as help and advice about how to do something or about how to deal with problems) is important and a set of stock assessment guidelines that describes each method currently used in Australia, outlines the method, required biological and fishery data, levels of uncertainty, and pros and cons is an important facet to demonstrating best practice in management of Australia’s fisheries. The guidance will provide transparency in the modelling process and has the potential to remove or moderate controversy regarding modelling outputs and the resulting management implications. This guidance (hereafter guidelines) are not intended to be prescriptive but provide guidance on a suite of methods from full-blown bioeconomic models and integrated assessments (e.g., SS3) through to data-poor approaches such as catchMSY.

Australian Standards have status and are recognised as best practice, but are not legal documents. However, a Government can reference a standard in legislation and it becomes mandatory.
AS 5300 is not yet mandated in Australia, but is listed in the FSANZ Standard 2.2.3 - Fish and Fish Products as an advisory note (https://www.legislation.gov.au/Details/F2011C00569 ) and AS 5301, is not reference anywhere.

Both SRB's recognise and industry stakeholder groups, recognise the standards must be mandated within FSANZ or other appropriate legislation. It is key that legislation covers the complete supply chain including food service, for the Standards to become fully effective. Further communication and extension of the required to support better adoption. Through this project, we will continue to articulate the need for the standards to become consumer law, whilst also advocating for further industry adoption of the standards.

The use of standard names achieves outcomes that are consistent with the aims of the seafood industry and Government:
1. Improved monitoring and stock assessment enhances the sustainability of fisheries resources.
2. Increased consistency and efficiency in seafood marketing to improve consumer confidence and industry profitability.
3. Improved accuracy and consistency in trade descriptions enables consumers to make more informed choices when purchasing seafood and reduces the potential for misleading and deceptive conduct.
4. More efficient management of seafood related public health incidents and food safety through improved labelling and species identification.

FNC undertook a stakeholder survey (Attachment1), with the key net benefits considered to be: consistency, integrity, transparency, improved management of food fraud and food safety and strengthening public, consumer and stakeholder confidence of the industry. These net benefits align with the FRDC's Fish forever 2030 vision and R & D Plan 2020-25; with strong relevance to Strategy V: Provide foundational information and support services; and Outcome 5: Community, trust, respect and value.
Attachment 2 & 3: Letters of support and net benefits summary show for further support of the Standards.