In considering issues of allocation and reallocation for rock lobster, the WA IFAAC has made recommendations to the Minister that the recreational and commercial sector’s allocation be based on the predicted proportional catches in 2009/2010 and that a reallocation mechanism be developed ready for implementation by 2009/2010.

To date, although WA has made significant progress on its allocation policy, little progress has been made on the establishment of reallocation principles and mechanisms.

There is clearly a need for the matter of reallocation to be better defined at the principle level, and also a impending timing requirement around the extension of this to practical models suitable for specific fisheries, starting with western rock lobster in order to meet the 2009/2010 deadline.

In SA, rock lobster is also a significant species. With the impending new legislation requiring the allocation and reallocation mechanisms, there is an need to develop reallocation mechanisms for this species in SA. For reasons of cost efficiency and cooperation, it is proposed to conduct a joint project across the two jurisdictions, aimed at developing reallocation mechanisms for rock lobster.

The Investigators are aware of the developing FRDC Resource Access and Allocation Reference Group and Technical Working Group (RF/TWG) structure being established to address matters of allocation and reallocation.

This project will draw heavily on the expertise and outputs of the RF/TWG. While the RF/TWG will be focusing on the matters of principle, this project will be working in parallel making application of these principles through the development of models for rock lobster in WA and SA.

Such an arrangement will have benefits to both projects: the WA/SA project will draw on the expertise of the RF/TWG and will be guided by its outputs; while the National project will benefit from those outputs being ‘tested’ in operational fisheries management scenarios.