There is a growing need not only to assess recreational fisheries throughout Australia, but to undertake these assessments in a cost-effective manner and produce deliverables that management and the recreational fishing community can readily adopt. The National Recreational and Indigenous Fishing Survey was undertaken in 2000-2001, and since this survey, most fisheries agencies have been grappling with how to complete robust and cost-effective surveys within their jurisdiction. There is a strong need for greater collaboration among scientists, managers and stakeholders from the different jurisdictions, to review and critique existing and new methods so that future surveys produce better outcomes at lower costs.

ASFB workshops have been held each year since 1985. The 2008 ASFB workshop is an ideal and timely opportunity for researchers, managers, students and stakeholders to cooperatively critique and strategically develop a framework for testing methodologies and designing assessments of recreational fisheries throughout Australia.