A new study to identify the most reliable and cost-effective data collection methods will benefit commercial and recreational fishers through improved assessment and management of fisheries resources, Minister for Primary Industries Ian Macdonald said today.

"Traditionally the assessment and management of fish stocks in NSW has been reliant on data collected from commercial fisheries," Minister Macdonald said.

"However modern management strategies demand consideration of broader ecosystems and biodiversity.

"Properly designed fishery-independent research surveys can overcome some of the limitations of commercial and recreational catch data in the assessment and management of fisheries resources."

"Our scientists, in partnership with the Fisheries Research and Development Corporation and experts at Sydney University, have spent a number of years developing methods to conduct fish surveys in estuaries throughout NSW, he said.

"An excellent example of their worth was demonstrated during a major fish kill event in the Richmond River in January 2008," Minister Macdonald said.

"The surveys conducted using the sampling methods that had been developed were vital in allowing scientists to determine when to reopen the river to normal fishing activities.

Industry & Investment NSW (I&I NSW) research scientist Dr Doug Rotherham said the new study would complement the work already undertaken by state government scientists.

"It is important to realise that all types of data, whether from commercial fisheries, recreational fisheries or research surveys, have limitations in the assessment and management of fisheries resources," Dr Rotherham said.

"Further research is still needed to test the costs and benefits of using different sources of data in the assessment of fisheries resources and in making managerial decisions.

"This study will develop and use an experimental approach to identify the most cost-effective and reliable data-collection methods in order to reduce uncertainty in decision making and improve the sustainability of fisheries resources and biodiversity in NSW estuaries."

The study is funded by Industry & Investment NSW (I&I NSW) and the Australian Fisheries Research and Development Corporation (FRDC) and is being undertaken at I&I NSWs Cronulla Fisheries Research Centre of Excellence.

Media contact: Rebecca Bowman 0438 247571