The consultaive process with the CRC end-users identified a need for accurate, consistent and scientifically sound baseline compositional data of commercially traded seafood species. This information can be used to substantiate product label claims, including nutrition panel information and health claims; to promote the benefits of seafood and seafood consumption as part of a balanced diet, to inform dietary modelling activities and nutrition calculations, to gain and maintaining market access, to respond to bad publicity and to benchmark production processes.

In order to meet this identified need for reliable compositional data, industry participants have also identified an increasing need to have access to an expanded capacity of certified analysis. Phase 1 of the compositional profiles program will result in a strategic assessment of analytical capacity within the Seafood CRC and identify and prioritise methodology not currently available but required to meet current and emerging Australian seafood industry requirements for nutritional and compositional analyses. These certified methods can then be developed as part of this project, resulting in and meeting the need for an expanded capacity for the industry.

The Chemistry Centre as the oldest NATA accredited laboratory in Australia and the holder of widest NATA certified capacity of tests for food analysis in Australia is well placed to add seafood specific analytes to its capacity. Investment in establishment and expansion of seafood analytical capacity using the centre's existing infrastructure and diverse highly technical instrument base will expand Australian capacity in this key area for at least the next twenty years, leading to a long term efficient and competent resource for industry and academic research and development.