There is a strong need to improve the Queensland scallop stock assessment. This will be achieved by undertaking a fishery-independent survey of the stock and by deriving improved mortality rate estimates (F and M) used in the quantitative stock modelling.

There is a strong need to better understand the relationship between abundance of 0+ and 1+ year old scallops and benthic habitat type. Classifying the scallop fishing grounds into habitat categories which receive varying levels of fishing effort will improve the precision of fishing mortality (F) estimates, as well as provide some understanding of possible impacts on the stock from the Gladstone Harbour dredge spoil ground. This will be achieved by obtaining measures of bottom hardness and sediment composition, and relating them to scallop abundance.

As most of the scallop fishery is located in waters of the GBRMP, which is a World Heritage Area, there is an obligation to ensure that biodiversity and ecosystem services within the Park are maintained. The project will address these needs by improving stock assessment advice on the scallop fishery.

Finally, there is a need to maintain the Wildlife Trade Operation approval which is required to export saucer scallops internationally. The project will help address the terms and conditions pertaining to sustainability of fishing the stock required by the Commonwealth Department of Environment and Energy to secure this approval.