The Australian fishing industry requires the development of people that will assist in ensuring the sustainability of Australia’s fish resources. Such development must include aspects that will enhance leadership capabilities, industry capacity and the transfer of knowledge throughout the sector. One of the most important aspects of fisheries biology is the ageing of fish for use in fisheries management plans. This is a rapidly expanding area of research and leading scientists convene each 4-5 years to present and discuss recent developments in this field, with the 4th International Otolith Symposium to be held in Monterey, California in August 2009. Murdoch University’s Centre for Fish and Fisheries Research is Western Australia’s peak fisheries research training centre and thus it is necessary for staff to continue to be skilled in the most up-to-date techniques and methodology to enable the centre’s high calibre training to continue. My attendance at the 4th International Otolith Symposium is thus important not only for personal professional development, but also for the development of future fisheries researchers in Western Australia.

Statistics on Australian fisheries production and trade provides a source of information for a range of purposes. The information can be used to meet the needs of the fishing and aquaculture industry, fisheries managers, policymakers and researchers. It can assist in policy decisions, industry marketing strategies and the allocation of research funding or priorities. The gross value of production for specific fisheries are used for determining the research and development levies collected by government. The neutrality and integrity of GVP estimates is therefore important due to their forming the basis for research levies for each fishery.

At the international level, the Department of Agriculture through Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics and Sciences (ABARES) contributes to a number of international databases. These include databases managed by the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) and the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD). Information at the international level can assist in international negotiations on issues such as transboundary fisheries and analysis of trade opportunities.