California halibut is an important fishery resource, as well as a predator dependent on local forage species (e.g., anchovy and sardine are the top prey of California halibut, see the California Current Predator Diet Database (CCPDD)). California halibut is currently undergoing management review under the updated California Marine Life Management Act (MLMA) implementation. Bycatch issues are at the forefront of the halibut fishery management plan (FMP), yet an examination of larger ecosystem considerations is needed for true ecosystem-based fisheries management. 

We are analyzing environmental relationships with halibut, as well as predator-prey interactions. A previous ecosystem model noted loss of halibut catch from forage fishing (see Trade-offs). California halibut have a prominent role in the California Current food web (CCPDD). Halibut may have top-down effects on main prey populations, and conversely the halibut fishery may be impacted by changes in main prey species.  We work with the Interagency Ecological Program in San Francisco Bay to foster collaboration among organizations working on predation studies in this region (see IEP SFB Predation Work Group).

Next steps may involve developing halibut indicators based on these relationships and creating an ecosystem matrix to aid in management decisions, similar to that of herring (see Pacific herring).