Since the First Australian National Prawn Seminar in 1973, Australian prawn fisheries have grown in size and value to become Australia's most valuable fisheries resource. In the same period the number of people involved in the fishing industry, research and management has also increased. Major new research centres have been established and several new programs implemented. A wide array of management regimes have been introduced including limited entry, seasonal and area closures coupled with sampling regimes to optimise the size at which prawns are harvested. Recently there has been a resurgence of interest in penaeid aquaculture which has been stimulated by the marked increase in pond production in South America and South East Asia, and the impact the product is having on world markets.

Because of the wide geographic separation of the various Australian prawn fisheries, there is little opportunity for those involved in the industry to meet and discuss topics at the national level. Accordingly it was felt that an update of developments and progress in research, management, economics, marketing, and aquaculture was necessary. We formed an organising committee and obtained funds to cover conference and publication expenses.

The Second Australian National Prawn Seminar was held at Kooralbyn, Queensland from 22 to 26 October 1984.