Given the many changes to the business environment and eating habits in Perth since the National Fish Consumption Study, particularly over the past year, there is a great need for up to date reliable information on the consumption of seafood in Perth to comprehend and overcome this reported downturn in seafood retail sales and for long term planning for the producers and marketers of seafood.

This information would also allow industry to make better use of the States underutilised finfish particularly the species coming to Perth from remote areas such as the North West Shelf which are currently not fetching high prices. With the growing number of Asian fish shops in Perth and the growing interest in ethnic foods, import replacement with local underutilised species is of great importance.

Australia as a whole can benefit from the results of this research because this study can be directly compared with a similar study being conducted in Sydney by Ruello & associates (FRDC 98/345). The results of the two studies in the west and east can then be used by other states in between the two seaboards.

This Western Australian project is best regarded as an extension to the Sydney FRDC 98/345 project. It is intended that the Perth study can start in January 1999 so that interviews are conducted at the same time in Perth and Sydney so that we have uniform seasonal data on both sides of the continent.

The development of a simple guide on where and how to target advertising will be a first for the Australian seafood industry. It will prove to be a valuable tool for industry sectors all around Australia and will encourage and assist the retail sector to advertise their business and their products

Wild capture fisheries are a national asset. They contribute in two ways: USE as a social, cultural or economic asset, AND value created through people and MANAGEMENT systems guiding that use. Aquaculture is an increasingly important seafood source offering potential across all sectors.

The IRG's RD&E Strategy contains 5 Aspirations, 11 Principles and related Outputs. Their comprehensive, integrated approach provides a single framework that offers a key role for all stakeholders, locally and nationally.

The IRG's Strategy will be successful only when it resolves key challenges, including:
- poor understanding and awareness of the needs of indigenous fishery users, and their monitoring of progress toward social/cultural/economic aspirations they aspire to,
- lack of capacity (human, management, structural) of fishers and communities to respond to and benefit from this Strategy,
- lack of alignment between customary sea management practices, enterprise profit motives, social/cultural/economic drivers for community viability, and government practices,
- the diversity of indigenous fisheries, across cultures, geography, aquatic environments, species and economic opportunities.

The Strategy must:
- create a viable pathway forward,
- increase fishery value in the hands of users, and
- better align government policy and process. This will require a policy and regulatory gap analysis and review options to better align these with traditional sea management approaches.

Change will take time - but outputs must demonstrate increasing value (social/cultural/economic) to fishers and communities.

The Project Team will partner with 4-5 indigenous fishery communities to consult and understand their fisheries, aspirations, needs, capacities and alignment with social/cultural/economic factors. The Team will respond with actions that aim to boost fishery value. Local case studies will inform national approaches and about what works, when and where.

The project will cost effectively create new tools, structures, alignments, data, and capacities, in the hands of the IRG, indigenous fishers and communities.