Review of California Spiny Lobster Fishery Management Plan

Building upon traditional academic journal peer review, we conduct independent scientific reviews tailored to meet the diverse science needs of California’s ocean and coastal management agencies.

When approached by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (the Department) to coordinate a review of their latest fishery management plan (FMP) for California spiny lobster, we saw it as an opportunity to strengthen the science that informs management of an ecologically and economically valuable natural resource for the state.

California spiny lobster (Panulirus interruptus) populations support important commercial and recreational fisheries, and play a key role in the southern California kelp forest ecosystem. Over the last three years, the Department has developed a draft FMP to guide management and regulation of the spiny lobster fisheries in accordance with the Marine Life Management Act. The Department asked us to convene independent scientific experts to conduct an assessment of the proposed reference point thresholds – quantitative measurements identified to monitor the status of the fishery –  prescribed in the FMP and supporting materials to ensure decision-making is based on defensible scientific information. We worked closely with the Department to develop a scope of review focusing on areas of the FMP that would most benefit from an independent assessment.

We implemented a scientific review process that promoted objectivity, transparency, candor, efficiency, and scientific rigor. A multidisciplinary four-member review committee was assembled, representing diverse and international expertise in fisheries science, management, and modeling. Reviewers remained anonymous until completion of the review to encourage candid feedback. We convened constructive interactions between reviewers and the Department through a series of remote meetings, while maintaining the independence of the assessment.

John Field (chair)
Research Fishery Biologist, Fisheries Ecology Division, Southwest Fisheries Science Center, National Marine Fisheries Service (NOAA)

Michel Comeau
Head of the Lobster Section, Department of Fisheries and Oceans Canada

Robert Muller
Assessment and Modeling, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, Florida Wildlife Research Institute

Pete Raimondi
Chair/Professor, Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of California, Santa Cruz

The final summary report was delivered to the Department May 2015, and is publicly available here. Ocean Science Trust presented the results of the review at the June 10, 2015 Fish and Game Commission Meeting in Mammoth, California.

In response to the review, several primary changes were made to the FMP. View the latest draft of the FMP on the Department’s website here.

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