Evaluation of the California halibut trawl grounds

The Marine Life Management Act (MLMA), California Fish and Game Code, sections 7050–7090, requires an ecosystem-based approach for managing the state’s fisheries, using the best available science, and involving stakeholders in a comprehensive and transparent process. The 2018 MLMA Master Plan for Fisheries (Master Plan) provides guidance and methods for implementing MLMA goals and objectives and is the California Department of Fish and Wildlife’s (CDFW) document for managing state finfish, invertebrate, and algal commercial and recreational fisheries. The California Halibut Trawl Grounds (CHTG), created through legislation (1971), provides trawl fishermen access to a section of state waters off Santa Barbara and Ventura counties to target California halibut (Paralichthys californicus). Legislation (Fish & G. Code, § 8495) requires the California Fish and Game Commission (CFGC) to evaluate trawl gear effects on specific Performance Criteria every three years. The CFGC is required to close any area within the CHTG where trawl gear does not meet the required criteria. The last evaluation of the CHTG occurred in 2008, with the CFGC closing one area due to the presence of hard bottom habitat and least fiscal impact to the fishing fleet. From 2022–2023, we re-assessed these Performance Criteria by incorporating recent catch disposition data, West Coast Groundfish Observer Program data, current biogeographical data, and relevant scientific literature. We assessed 2,152 individual organisms, representing 55 species, with 77.9% released live. No species of concern were caught, and minimal bottom contact was evident. We identified management control measures which protect distinct aspects of ecosystem function. Spatial analysis using GIS compared kelp, hard bottom, and biogenic habitats against trawl locations which showed no overlap. Our findings suggest that light touch trawl gear in the CHTG fishery meets the Performance Criteria in Fish and Game Code, section 8495. These findings suggest that additional closures within the CHTG are not currently warranted.