Rock flathead supports an important commercial fishery in Corner Inlet. However, the stock structure of rock flathead in Victorian waters, and more broadly in south eastern Australia, is largely unknown. This presents uncertainty for fishers, scientists and managers when assessing the status of the Corner Inlet rock flathead fishery and in ensuring long-term sustainability.

This investment will use an integrated approach involving modern genetic techniques coupled with otolith chemistry and acoustic tracking to determine:

1. Is the Corner Inlet rock flathead population a resident self-replenishing stock?
2. If not, what is the broader population structure and connectivity of rock flathead in south-east Australia, and how does the Corner Inlet population relate to other populations?
3. How do movement dynamics, both within Corner Inlet and between Corner Inlet and coastal waters influence population and fishery dynamics, and movement behaviour of rock flathead?