In 2019, the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) assessed the state’s fisheries under The 2018 Master Plan for Fisheries (PDF)(opens in new tab) framework. A prioritization process identified California halibut (Paralichthys californicus) as a species in need of management attention due to potential risks to bycatch species (including sub legal-sized California halibut) and from a changing climate.
CDFW is committed to partnering with the stakeholder community to make informed decisions about the management of the California halibut fishery to support a healthy species, ecosystem, and fishing community.
In late summer, 2021, CDFW invited stakeholders of the California halibut fishery to a two-part webinar series to learn about and discuss California halibut. The first webinar on August 12 was focused on the recreational sector, and the second webinar on September 16 was focused on the commercial sector. The goal of these webinars was to engage in a discussion with the fishing industry and other interested stakeholders to explore CDFW and stakeholder’s shared priorities and concerns for the long-term sustainability of the species, ecosystem, and fishing community. These webinars also provided the opportunity to share information about how stakeholders can stay informed and engaged in CDFW’s management process for California halibut, and understand next steps in designing a science-based, stakeholder-involved management process.
Exploring Scaled Management for the California Halibut Fishery
Two-Part Public Webinar Series
- Webinar #1: Focused Discussion for the Recreational Sector | Thursday, August 12, 2021
- Webinar #2: Focused Discussion for the Commercial Sector | Thursday, September 16, 2021
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California Halibut Stock Assessment
A primary goal of fishery management under the Marine Life Management Act (MLMA) is to ensure that fishing levels are sustainable and do not result in an overfished stock. To aid in this goal, managers develop stock assessments that establish the current and historical status of the fishery resource. Stock assessments utilize all available data, which most commonly includes catch, abundance indices, and biological data specific to the species. Stock assessments are highly informative management tools used to assess the abundance of fish populations, determine the level at which a resource may be sustainably exploited, and sometimes to predict the potential consequences of policy decisions.
In 2011, the first statewide stock assessment of California halibut was completed. Performed by an external expert, with funding from CDFW, the results were independently peer reviewed prior to release. The assessment examined two stocks of California halibut, with the boundary between northern and southern stocks at Point Conception.
In 2020, CDFW completed an update to the 2011 stock assessment, drawing on the prior modelling approach and considering recent data as well as recommendations from the prior review process.
Facilitated by California Ocean Science Trust (OST), an independent scientific peer review of the updated 2020 California halibut stock assessment was completed by a panel of experts. The review focused on whether the technical components, models, and analysis that underpin the stock assessment were applied in a manner that is scientifically sound, reasonable, and appropriate.
The review identified that while the southern model results are more stable, both the southern and northern models required improvement prior to informing management. CDFW has worked to incorporate the technical improvements suggested by the 2020 peer review panel for the southern stock and are undertaking an external, independent peer review of a new assessment of the stock as of 2023.
Reviewers will include:
- Chantel Wetzel, Mathematical Statistician, NOAA Northwest Fisheries Science Center
- Kiva Oken, Stock Assessment Scientist, NOAA Northwest Fisheries Science Center
- David Sampson, Emeritus Professor, Oregon State University
- Cheryl Barnes, Assistant Professor, Oregon State University
CDFW invites interested members of the public, Tribes and Tribal communities, and stakeholders to a series of review panel meeting presentations regarding the California halibut stock assessment for the southern California region (south of Point Arguello). During these meetings, stock assessment reviewers and CDFW staff will conduct a technical review of the completed California halibut stock assessment for the southern California region. Stakeholder participation will be welcomed during a 30-60-minute comment period near the end of each day. The meetings will be fully remote and hosted by CDFW on Microsoft Teams. They will take place over the course of four days with the following schedule:
- Wednesday, August 21, 2024 from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. PST
- Thursday, August 22, 2024 from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. PST
- Wednesday, August 28, 2024 from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. PST
- Thursday, August 29, 2024 from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. PST
To receive an invitation for the online meeting, participants must RSVP to mlmafisheriesmgmt@wildlife.ca.gov. The detailed meeting agenda is linked below.
Additionally, CDFW will host a public webinar following receipt of the final peer review report. During this meeting, CDFW will present the final results of the stock assessment and share the conclusions of the peer review process. An invitation to this meeting, which is anticipated to occur in early 2025, will follow once a date and time are finalized.
2023 California Halibut Stock Assessment, Southern California
California Halibut 2020 Stock Assessment Review Panel Report (PDF)
2011 California Halibut Stock Assessment