Scoping current and future genetic tools, their limitations and their applications for wild fisheries management

Abstract

The overarching goal of this project was to prepare a document that summarises past, present and emerging ways in which research using genetic technology can assist the Australian fishing industry to maintain productive and sustainable harvests. The project achieved the following specific objectives:
1. Documented existing and prospective biotechnologies and genetic analysis tools that are relevant to wild fisheries management, and their availability and application at a national and international level;
2. Documented the FRDC’s past and current investment in biotechnology and genetic tools used in wild fisheries management research;
3. Documented the different biotechnology and genetic tools that are being used in wild fisheries management research in Australia, and the nature and location of key research groups;
4. Described what management question each tool has been used for (e.g. stock structure, biomass estimation, product provenance, disease monitoring);
5. Identified those tools and approaches (existing and future) most likely to deliver significant advances in fisheries management;
6. Identified the potential for collaborations which could improve the focus and impact of work in this area.