Market squid are small, but in California, they are a big deal. In fact, with ecological pressure on salmon and multiple challenges in fishing for Dungeness crab, squid is now the state’s most valuable fishery–contributing to coastal communities, feeding international markets, and supporting a complex ecosystem. To ensure this resource remains healthy and resilient, the California Fish and Game Commission adopted the first-ever Market Squid Fishery Management Plan (MSFMP) in 2004. Now, more than two decades later, the plan has been significantly amended to reflect new science, changing fishery dynamics, and emerging environmental challenges.
The 2004 Foundation
The original MSFMP, adopted in December 2004, was groundbreaking. It established seasonal catch limits, weekend closures, gear regulations, and monitoring programs designed to prevent overfishing and protect spawning squid. It also created a restricted access program, ensuring a stable and specialized fleet. Unlike any other plan before it, the 2004 MSFMP also recognized the use of marine protected areas as a spawning refuge. These measures set a precedent for science-based, stakeholder-driven management in California’s fisheries.
Why the Amendment Matters
The amendment to the MSFMP was formally adopted in August 2025 following a two-year review and consultation process led by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) and with advice from the Squid Fishery Advisory Committee (SFAC). This process, facilitated by CONCUR Inc. supported by the Resource Legacy Fund and Ocean Protection Council, brought together fishery managers, scientists, fishermen and “producers”, and conservationists. The result is broad-based agreement that strengthens sustainability, modernizes monitoring, and responds to climate-driven changes in the ocean.
As Marine Resource Assessment Program Manager John Ugoretz said “Having this decision go so easily, without major controversy, and with none of our constituents or Commissioners arguing about it is a stark contrast to when the FMP was first developed.”
We will highlight plan contents, but how did we get there?
Huff McGonigal, Program Consultant for the Resources Legacy Fund noted:
“The background work—(a detailed stakeholder assessment–was instrumental. The scoping phase of SFAC process allowed for identification of key players, goals, potential roadblocks and strategies for overcoming them. This is turn led to a better-informed Phase 2 with a clearer set of objectives, timeline, and budget. Having multiple funders (both agency and NGO funders) helps emphasize the importance of the work—both internally and externally.
Inclusive Deliberation to Devise Options
Rather than have staff presenting conclusions and prescribed actions to the SFAC, a deliberative fact-finding approach added value. Senior Environmental Scientist Briana Brady observed Supervising Fishery Biologist Briana Brady credited the inclusive approach used to develop recommendations
[A key to success was] using fishery-dependent data analyses/summaries and discussing what made sense (or not) with the SFAC and then deciding what changes may or may not be needed to enhance the sustainability of the fishery.
Katie Grady, Marine Scientist and a key convener working alongside CONCUR commented that the iterative nature of the deliberation contributed to success
Hearing from SFAC members that they “learned throughout the process” suggests, to me, that there was iteration of themes and topics, and multiple opportunities for a back and forth. Members’ input would, in many ways, guide how the next meeting or meetings were set up and what information to focus on and data to summarize. This expanded our opportunities to learn rather than reciting or operating in a vacuum. We (the Convening Team of CDFW and CONCUR) evolved with the process itself.
John Ugoretz noted
Having a facilitation team that worked directly with Department staff to determine process steps was key. This was a great improvement over either not having any facilitation or having facilitation that only addressed meeting needs. One of the greatest helps was working with the facilitators to figure out the meeting plans and strategies.
The Positive End Game
As to whether he was surprised by the near-unanimous support for the staff recommendations (as shaped by SFAC deliberation) at the final SFAC meeting, McGonigal noted:
At the outset, I would have been surprised, but by the end of the process it was clear how supportive the fleet was of what was being proposed.
Similarly, Katy Grady noted”
I think we had been building toward agreement on a few topics so I wouldn’t say surprised. I think we were transparent from the beginning and the fact that there were no surprises is why there was a smooth path to implementation at the Commission. We stayed focused and didn’t take drastic detours from our shared goals/objectives. Additionally, staff at CDFW, have maintained long-standing relationships with stakeholders over decades. We are on the phone or at the docks regularly and attempted to be in touch with the day-to-day of the fishery and the socioeconomics. Those relationships are hugely important and, I believe, contributed to our successes.
Key Provisions of the Updated Regulations
Highlights include:
Carrying Forward Best Practices
Alongside the amendment, CDFW has released a Best Practices Fishing Guide. This guide provides conservation-focused advice for squid vessels operating near sensitive shorelines and seabird nesting habitats. By encouraging responsible lighting, gear use, and harvest methods, the guide helps fishermen reduce impacts while maintaining productivity.
Looking Ahead
The newly amended MSFMP represents more than a policy update—it’s a recognition of how climate change, shifting ocean conditions, and evolving fisheries require adaptive management. By strengthening oversight, modernizing data collection, and embedding conservation practices, California is ensuring that the market squid fishery can continue to thrive while balancing ecological, economic, and community needs. As the most valuable and one of the more visible fisheries in the state, market squid now has a refreshed management framework built to last—and to adapt—for decades to come.
Scott McCreary, President of CONCUR Inc. was lead facilitator of the SFAC process, teaming with co-Facilitator and Senior Affiliate Debbie Schechter.
From Dr. John Windmueller's blog. Congratulations to the winners of the 2007 Common Ground awards: Senator Roméo Dallaire: Humanitarian, advocate, and retired general, his experiences during the Rwandan genocide led...
By John WindmuellerThis article is aimed at clients working with collaborative practitioners, therapists, or counsel who need to document all their text message and email conversations for evidence or as reference (in...
By Carrie GourFrom Rich Webb's Healthcare Neutral ADR Blog. In two rulings handed down over the last two weeks, the Appellate Division of the Superior Court of New Jersey removed any...
By Richard J. Webb
