Fisheries that have populations/stocks straddling cross-jurisdictional boundaries face particular challenges in terms of sustainable management. This is particularly the case when aspects of the species' life history are poorly understood. Fisheries managers require a clear understanding of stock-structure and life history of key species for sustainable management, particularly where the fishery is cross-jurisdictional and requires co-operation between different management agencies.

The King George whiting (KGW) fishery is an extremely important recreational and commercial fishery in southern Australia, especially in bays and inlets of Victoria and South Australia. There is some evidence that much of the Victorian fishery for KGW is dependent on spawning in South Australia and extensive larval drift through Bass Strait. There is more limited evidence that spawning may also occur in eastern Victorian waters. The degree to which adult whiting from Victorian juvenile nursery areas migrate to South Australia for spawning is unknown, with previous research suggesting a possible migration of adult fish from central Victoria to the west. The degree to which juveniles move between nursery areas is also unknown, with no previous research in Victoria. There is a need to understand the present relationship between Victorian and South Australian KGW stocks; are they strongly dependent or are they independent? The management of this species would be greatly improved if we understood the stock structure. For example, the species is presently managed independently by Victoria and South Australia but we do not understand how the populations in the two States relate to each other.