CDFW Releases Draft Lobster Fishery Management Plan (11/20/2014)
The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) has drafted a Lobster Fishery Management Plan (FMP) to guide future management of the fishery. It is crucial that management decisions be based upon a foundation of the best available science, and therefore CDFW has asked the California Ocean Science Trust (OST) to coordinate an external scientific and technical review of the harvest control rule threshold reference points prescribed in the draft Lobster FMP and supporting materials.
Harvest control rules are plans of action that prescribe adjustments in harvest regulations (e.g. fishing effort, allowable catch, minimum legal size) and are activated ("triggered") when a defined catch or biological limit, also known as a threshold reference point, is reached. CDFW is seeking an independent assessment of whether the technical components and supporting documents that underpin the proposed threshold reference points prescribed in the draft Lobster FMP are scientifically sound and reasonable given CDFW's currently available data streams and analysis techniques. For more information on the review process of the Lobster FMP please visit the
California Ocean Science Trust website.
CDFW is releasing the preliminary draft of the Lobster FMP during the scientific review process as a courtesy to constituents. Public feedback is not being solicited on the preliminary draft, as sections of the FMP could be revised as a result of the scientific peer review.
The Lobster FMP is scheduled to be introduced to the Fish and Game Commission during the first quarter of 2015. At that time the formal public review process will begin and public comment on the Lobster FMP will be sought.
For further information, contact Kai Lampson, CDFW Senior Environmental Scientist.
View the preliminary draft of the Lobster Fishery Management Plan (PDF)