In my capacity as a senior mediator for the Sacramento State University Center for Collaborative Policy, I assisted the California Department of Fish and Wildlife with collaborative process design and facilitation of a multi-stakeholder collaboration that informed development of a California spiny lobster (Panulirus interruptus) fishery management plan. I led a team of 3 staff persons who conducted a situational analysis, facilitated advisory committee meetings and helped the group negotiate and forge consensus recommendations, including a commercial trap limit, allocation policy statement and multiple recreational management measures.
The California Fish and Game Commission adopted the FMP in April, 2016 and the new regulations go into effect during the 2017/2018 lobster season.