Ryan Bartling

This document presents a blue-ribbon model program developed by the Pacific States/British Columbia Oil Spill Task Force to address Abandoned and Derelict Vessels (ADVs) in western U.S. states. The program outlines comprehensive recommendations for states to implement a strategy to manage ADVs. Key strategic pillars include establishing clear authority, implementing prevention measures, conducting public outreach and education, ensuring effective removal and deconstruction processes, and securing adequate funding. The overarching goal is to successfully remove existing ADVs and prevent future occurrences, thereby protecting aquatic environments and human well-being.

This North Central Deserts Bighorn Conservation Unit Plan, mandated by California Fish and Game Code Section 4901, outlines conservation challenges and management actions for desert bighorn sheep subpopulations. Its vision is to maintain healthy, functioning, and connected subpopulations within the Mojave Desert metapopulation. Key strategic goals include ensuring long-term population persistence under changing environmental conditions, conserving and restoring habitat and water availability, providing recreational, educational, and ecological benefits, and fostering communication and collaboration with Tribes, stakeholders, agencies, and researchers.

The session focused on discussions related to the Commercial Hook and Line Fishery for California Halibut, specifically within Breakout Room 2. Key discussion points revolved around the meaning of sustainability as defined in the Marine Life Management Act (MLMA) and whether participants consider the California Halibut a sustainable fishery, requiring detailed reasoning. Concerns were raised regarding potential future regulations, including the impact of '30 by 30' initiatives and the expansion or changes to Marine Protected Areas (MPAs). Fishermen expressed anxieties about potential shifts in effort from other depressed fisheries, such as salmon, potentially increasing pressure on the halibut fishery, referencing historical trends from the early 2000s. Furthermore, participants discussed concerns about access to the biomass and the management of proprietary fishing privileges over the actual stock biomass, which several attendees believed was currently in good shape.

This was the second public outreach meeting concerning the development of the Western Joshua Tree Conservation Plan. The discussion focused on presenting the structure of the plan, including management actions necessary for species conservation, measurable effectiveness criteria, and implementation guidance. Key topics covered included detailed guidance on avoiding direct and indirect impacts to the tree, its seeds, roots, and pollinator (the yucca moth), through defined buffer zones. Further discussions addressed minimizing impacts from wildfire suppression activities, invasive species control, grazing management (including reducing allotments or fencing off populations), and the role of relocation as a minimization measure rather than mitigation. The meeting also presented newly released guidelines and protocols for the successful relocation of Western Joshua Trees.

The State Wildlife Action Plan (SWAP) 2025, mandated by Congress and updated every 10 years, provides a comprehensive wildlife conservation strategy for California. It acts as a blueprint for conserving the state's fish, wildlife, and their habitats, integrating scientific data, conservation priorities, and recommended actions. The plan offers insights into the health of natural resources, tools for implementing conservation efforts, and data from monitoring projects.