(1) Fisheries WA and Murdoch University have identified a need for developing new models that are based on integrating fisheries data with data on fish populations and communities and habitat requirements, and thereby facilitating the production of high quality management plans aimed at ensuring the ecological sustainability of fisheries resources in Western Australia.

(2) There is an increasing need for developing the quantitative approaches for analysing, in a more sophisticated manner, the biological data on fish populations that are traditionally used for developing management plans for fish stocks, as well as for developing appropriate new models (see Point 1)

(3) Fisheries WA, Murdoch University and other agencies have also identified the need for producing a continuous supply of high-quality scientists, who have the quantitative skills required for understanding and developing ecosystem and fishery models, and who are thus suitably trained for employment in areas related to the implementation of integrated fisheries and ecosystem management.