Australian abalone fisheries face similar threats to the sustainability, marketability of stocks and products. Australia is in an enviable position with a pristine marine environment, and provides the lion's share of the world supply of greenlip and blacklip abalone (H. laevegata & H. rubra). It is evident that abalone producing States do not communicate often or closely enough to maximise the benefits of the extra efforts each State is doing in terms of R&D, stock enhancement, marketing and product labelling. Also, it is evident that there are very few industry driven conventions or conferences around Australia and the world. This idea or concept for a National Forum within which to share ideas and results from various endeavours became a high priority for the Australian abalone industry which is very much supported by other abalone producing States. The convention will address the following needs:
• The need for abalone fisheries to address key issues such as marketing, industry development, product development and labelling.
• The need for closer and more extensive communication and networking with other abalone fishery participants.
• The need for participants to share information, data and methodologies adopted in R&D programs and compliance strategies.
• The need to identify areas of R&D that have proved successful and to imitate that success.
• To update the national strategic plan addressing common issues.

Australian rock lobster fisheries constitute a range of the most economically valuable seafood industry components of the Australian economy. Despite a 16 per cent decrease in the volume of production the combined Australian lobster fisheries generated a landed value of AU$403.8 million in 2008-09 , ranking as the most economically valuable of the wild catch fisheries.

New Zealand rock lobster fisheries generated an estimated NZ$184 million in 2008/09 .

Australia and New Zealand share a common species – cold water southern rock lobster, Jasus edwardsii – whilst Australia also produces western and tropical rock lobsters, Panulirus species, from temperate and warm waters in Western Australia and Queensland respectively.

As a consequence of the markedly different circumstances in the Australian and New Zealand lobster fisheries and the industries which are dependent upon them there has been increased interest from Australian industry participants and management agencies in the New Zealand research and management processes and outcomes.

The principal ‘architects’ of the 2011 trans-Tasman Congress are confident that the chosen theme of ‘productivity’ is one of sufficient scope to draw together the best available information and advice in regard to the complete product chain for rock lobsters.

The exchange of information, ideas and aspirations at the 2011 trans-Tasman 7th Rock Lobster Congress will streamline and accelerate stock rebuild initiatives and enable greater efficiency gains in terms of research and compliance spend across the various fisheries’ jurisdictions.