The Great Australian Bight Industry Association acknowledges that the returns from the sustainable and controlled volume of catch available need to be maximised for increased profitability. It has been agreed that improving product quality through close examination of, and improvements to, the cool chain is a very high priority step in this process. The resolution of such quality issues, relating to trip length, catch day and associated cold chain treatment, is also seen as a critical prerequisite to the introduction of
traceability within the GABTS. Traceability is an important part of the GABIA-AFMA Co-management
Arrangements and is acknowledged by GABIA as a key element in achieving economic stability.

The project also addresses FRDC’s Program 2 (Industry) Rural R&D and Industry Priorities in contributing to an improvement in GABTS profitability, with real potential for flow-on effects to the other fisheries within the Southern and Eastern Scalefish and Shark Fishery (SESSF). A successful outcome would necessitate either the application of new or better use of existing technologies, also a stated FRDC Rural R&D Priority. Furthermore, the project contributes to Theme 7 within the Industry Program (Production, Growth and Profitability), the outputs assisting fishers to increase productivity through innovation and improvements in operational efficiency.

The outcomes of this project will be coupled with the traceability components of the GABIA/ AFMA
co-management trials. GABIA have emphasised the need to commence this work as soon as
possible; waiting for the general FRDC round would put the project off for another 18months, further delaying necessary improvements to cool chain processes.