The third international billfish symposium has been anticipated by the world's fisheries community since the previous two such meetings (1972,1988) were watersheds in the advancement of knowledge of these important fishes. There have been significant increases in the world's understanding of billfish species stock structure and population dynamics, and corresponding increases in concerns for some global stocks. The Australian populations of billfishes occur in waters off most States and are especially well represented in the region of the Great Barrier Reef. Much of this area has recently been declared to be of World Heritage value and magnificent arrangements for natural resources has been under considerable scrutiny from agencies and organisations not usually concerned with fisheries management. There is a need to examine the global status of our understanding of these fishes and the management regimes adopted throughout the world. Australia may benefit from such an understanding. The broadbill swordfish is in decline in parts of the northern hemisphere and remedial action is needed to protect these stocks. Again, Australia would benefit from an understanding of past and present management practices for this species.

There is an urgent need to assess the impact of the planned introduction of BRDs on the databases used to manage these major trawl fisheries during the transition to full BRD usage. The proper evaluation of BRD implementation is often lacking in trawl fisheries. There is an urgent need for the project because the whole fleet, in Shark Bay for one season will tow one net with a BRD and one without. In the Exmouth prawn fishery and Shark Bay Scallop fishery several vessels will tow nets(s) on one side with a BRD and one side without. Without the project the implementation of BRD’s into both nets could be delayed.

Specifically, the changes in gear efficiency and fleet fishing behaviour (ie distribution of fishing effort) need to be quantified and incorporated into the extensive fisheries databases for these three closely managed fisheries. Secondly, the success of these devices in reducing the quantity of bycatch throughout the season, needs to be accurately assessed to provide advice to fishery and marine conservation agencies for ecosystem management purposes. The industry and marine conservation groups require a quantitative assessment of the effect of BRDs on catches of prawns and bycatch to ensure they are showing the desired impact.

For companies to maintain an exemption to export fish species under the Commonwealth Wildlife Protection (Regulation of Exports and Imports) Act 1982, they will need to prove that associated fishing practices are undertaking in a manner that is demonstrably ecologically sustainable. The Draft National Policy on Fisheries By-Catch, developed by the National standing Committee on Fisheries and Aquaculture, was recently adopted by the WA State Minister for Fisheries. Under the Minister's plan, the WA trawl fisheries, has been given a 'Priority A' rating, meaning that a specific By-catch Action Plan is to be completed by the end of 2001. The trawl industry is actively participating in trialing of BRDs to meet the required deadline. An observer program is needed to complement commercial operator records as high nightly catch rates make it difficult for vessel skippers and crew to record detailed information from individual nets.