Available evidence suggests that most fish species harvested by the NSW demersal trap and recreational fisheries are taken at sizes that are too small to optimise yield and/or economic return. This is because most species taken in both of these fisheries either have MLL’s that are too small or do not have MLL's at all. There have only been stock assessments done on snapper (FRDC project No. 93/074) and silver trevally (FRDC project No. 97/125) in the trap fishery. Both studies showed that they were growth overfished and the results have been used to increase the MLL for snapper and to impose a MLL for silver trevally across all fisheries. Many other species taken by fish traps are in decline and it is highly likely that they are also growth overfished. Unfortunately, very little is known about the biology or life-history of these other species. Recreational fishers are significant harvesters of all species taken in the NSW demersal trap fishery and it is important that any MLL’s designed to reduce overfishing are applied across all fisheries.

NSW Fisheries does not currently have a policy for setting MLL's at particular sizes and the process developed during this study may form the basis for such a policy. It is important to consider several issues when setting appropriate harvest sizes and these include: (i) the size at sexual maturity; (ii) the size that will optimise yield; (iii) market requirements; (iv) an economic assessment, and (iv) public perception.

The information on biology, stock-assessment and protocols for setting appropriate harvest sizes developed during this project will directly address several key areas of importance recognized by the FRDC. The planned outcomes will lead to fisheries management being based more on the precautionary principle, will maximise the economic and social returns from harvesting these species while also providing for effective management of recreational fishing. These areas are considered to be high priorities by the NSW FRAB and by Recfish Australia in their National Research and Development plan for the recreational sector.

Fisheries WA has identified Shark Bay as a priority area for developing a formal management process for its fisheries and the habitats occupied by its commercial and recreational fish species (Fisheries Western Australia 1999). Such management plans are needed to sustain the commercial and recreational fish stocks and biodiversity of the fish communities of the region, both of which are considered essential for maintaining the value of Shark Bay both socially and as a World Heritage area (Fisheries Department of WA 1996; Fisheries WA 1999).

Appropriate advice for managers to develop plans for conserving western yellowfin bream, baldchin groper, blackspot tuskfish, blue tuskfish and bluespotted tuskfish stocks in Shark Bay requires for those species (1) reliable data on the age and size compositions, growth rates, lengths and ages at first maturity, fecundity, and the proportions of each sex in each age and size class of these hermaphroditic species and (2) a thorough understanding of the types of habitat occupied at sequential stages in the life cycle so that critical habitats can be protected.