Helping to Build Stock Assessment Capacity in Australia: A Case Study

Abstract

Fisheries stock assessment capacity faces resource constraints in many countries, including limited personnel, high workloads, and restricted funding. Stock assessment scientists often operate under short timelines, with outcomes that can influence livelihoods and receive public scrutiny. Scientists frequently manage multiple assessments each year, making time management a challenge. Consequently, finding opportunities to invest in professional development remains difficult within existing operational demands. We developed a series of approaches to invest in Australia's employed stock assessment capacity, and present these as a case study for other similar marine science fields and countries. The approaches led to critical insights to a way forward to develop a ‘Community of Practice’. We used network analyses to evaluate collaboration based on published Australian stock assessments and related papers. We then used surveys and interviews to understand the factors that have constrained stock assessment scientists in investing in their own development. Tools and opportunities were then made available: (a) a web site providing a central repository on freely available stock assessment packages and Australian stock assessment reports; (b) training courses on the use of assessment packages that were open to participants across organisations; and (c) a simulation game to learn in a ‘consequence free’ environment. This paper highlights what has been learnt and generalises these findings beyond the Australian stock assessment community's well‐being.

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