Many fisheries managers in Australia have no formal fisheries management, let alone fisheries economics, background or training and tend to learn 'on the job'. There is currently a large gap between economists, researchers and fisheries managers. The latter group is under extreme pressure due to budgetary cuts and if the extensive results of the CRC FH harvest projects are to adopted, there is a need close that gap. The proposed workshop will demonstrate to senior fisheries managers that Government does have a key role in ensuring that the benefits from fisheries are realised, and that this includes economic benefits. They will learn about the application of a wide range of tools available to achieve this.

Other than the FH masterclass series of training courses there is almost a total absence of an opportunity for fisheries managers to be introduced to contemporary fisheries management approaches, including bioeconomic analysis. The recent AFMF workshop on small scale fisheries management held in Adelaide was an exception, and demonstrated the use and value of an interactive forum to increase the understanding and uptake of new concepts in fisheries management.