It recognises individuals who have made an "outstanding contribution in fish or fisheries science.
"[1] The award, inaugurated in 1995, is named for New Zealand fisheries biologist Kenneth Radway Allen.
[1] Recipients need not be a member of the Australian Society for Fish Biology, although most of their research must have been undertaken in Australia.
[1] Kenneth Radway Allen (1911 – 2008) was a New Zealand fisheries biologist.
After a MSc from Cambridge University, Allen arrived in New Zealand and worked for many years at what was to become the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research.