(DRAFT) - Taxonomy
Species lingcod
Species Id M010590
Date 27 AUG 96
TAXONOMY
NAME - lingcod
OTHER COMMON NAMES - cultus cod, blue cod, bluefish, green cod, buffalo cod, bocalao, greenling and white cod
ELEMENT CODE -
CATEGORY - Fish
PHYLUM AND SUBPHYLUM - Chordata,
CLASS AND SUBCLASS - Osteichthyes,
ORDER AND SUBORDER - Scorpaeniformes,
FAMILY AND SUBFAMILY - Hexagrammidae,
GENUS AND SUBGENUS - Ophiodon,
SPECIES AND SSP - elongatus,
SCIENTIFIC NAME - Ophiodon elongatus
AUTHORITY -
TAXONOMY REFERENCES - 235
Taxonomy - 1 (DRAFT) - Status
Species lingcod
Species Id M010590
Date 27 AUG 96
STATUS
Coded Status
Sport Fish
Commercial
Existing, FMP exists
Commercial/consumption
REFERENCES FOR STATUS - 235
COMMENTS ON STATUS -
Lingcod are consistently caught along the Pacific coast. From 1948 to 1967,
the total average annual catch was 4775 t: 579 t from California, 1778 t
from Washington, and 2063 t from Canada. Total catch from the United States
was 4046 t (valued at $2.3 million) in 1984, and 3672 t (valued at $2.2
million) in 1985. In both years, the catch off Washington was the
largest--2038 t in 1984 and 1931 t in 1985. The commercial landings of
lingcod off Washington from 1970 to 1985 ranged from a low 771 t in 1972 to
2086 t in 1984. Before 1970, the highest landing of lingcod from Washington
was 3719 t in 1944.*235*
Two major methods are used in the sport fishery--hook and line and spear.
Lingcod are caught from piers, the shoreline, party boats, and skiffs and
are speared by skin divers.*235*
To regulate the sport catch there is a three-fish bag limit in Washington
and Oregon and a five-fish bag limit in California. There is also a 559 mm
(22 inch) minimum size limit in California.*235*
Status - 1 (DRAFT) - Distribution
Species lingcod
Species Id M010590
Date 27 AUG 96
DISTRIBUTION
Distribution - 1 HABITAT ASSOCIATIONS
HABITAT - MARINE
REFERENCES FOR HABITAT - 235
LAND USE -
Bays and Estuaries
REFERENCES FOR LAND USE - 235
NATIONAL WETLAND INVENTORY CODES
NWI NWICLS NWIMOD NWISPEC
Marine AB2
Marine AB4
Marine RS.
Marine RS.
Marine BB2
Marine RB2
Marine RS2
REFERENCES FOR NWI - 235
COMMENTS ON HABITAT ASSOCIATIONS -
The vertical distribution of lingcod is from the surface to at least 420 m
while the bulk of the population is in waters less than 100 m deep.
Generally, juveniles are found nearshore in shallow water among the
seaweeds and eel grass, and over sandy bottom, while adults are found in
deeper water. Lingcod occupy areas where there is water movement and food
is abundant. They live in rocky locations with considerable current but
avoid muddy bottoms and stagnant water, except that some have been observed
over sandy and mud bottoms. Lingcod are most plentiful in two environments:
(1) The more or less precipitous slopes of submerged banks from 10-70 m
below the surface, where there is a rich growth of seaweeds, kelp, eel
grass, and hydroids forming a vast feeding ground for many species of small
fish.
(2) In channels where strong currents flow over and around reefs and carry
quantities of plankton and plankton-feeding fish that concentrate in the
tide-rips and whirlpools.*235*
Habitat Associations - 1 (DRAFT) - Food Habits
Species lingcod
Species Id M010590
Date 27 AUG 96
FOOD HABITS
TROPHIC LEVEL -
CARNIVORE
REFERENCES FOR TROPHIC LEVEL - 235
LIFESTAGE FOOD FOOD PART
Larva Copepods Egg/Fetus stage
Larva Copepods Not Specified
Larva Fish Larva stage
Juvenile Zooplankton Not Applicable
Juvenile Clupeiformes Juvenile stage
Juvenile Copepods Not Specified
Juvenile Crustaceans Not Specified
Adult Fish Adult stage
Adult Crustaceans Not Specified
Adult Squid, Octopus Not Specified
Adult Clupeiformes Adult stage
REFERENCES FOR ADULT FOOD - 235
REFERENCES FOR JUVENILE FOOD - 235
REFERENCES FOR LARVAE FOOD - 235
COMMENTS ON FOOD -
Lingcod feed on a variety of organisms. Juvenile lingcod feed on
crustaceans such as shrimp-like Neomysis Macrops and the common prawn
Pandalus danae, and small fish such as herring and Pacific sand lance.
Adult lingcod apparently are generalist carnivores consuming a variety of
fish, cephalopods, gastropods, and crustaceans. Fishes, mainly juvenile
rockfish, were the most common food. Of the cephalopods, half were squid
and half were octopus.*235*
COMMENTS ON ADULT FOOD -
Adult lingcod apparently are generalist carnivores consuming a variety of
fish, cephalopods, gastropods, and crustaceans. Fishes, mainly juvenile
rockfish, were the most common food. Of the cephalopods, half were squid
and half were octopus. Crustaceans included crab and shrimp. At night they
are in shallow water and feed on sand lance and flatfish; as ambient light
intensifies, they move to deeper water and feed on herring and spiny
dogfish. Lingcod are cannibals when given the opportunity. Examination of
the stomachs of eight nest guarding males revealed the presence of small
numbers of lingcod eggs. Studies of cage-reared lingcod showed that over
75% of the fish were lost because of cannibalism.*235*
COMMENTS ON JUVENILE FOOD -
Small juveniles shift their feeding from zooplankton, mainly copepods, to
juvenile herring.*235*
Food Habits - 1 (DRAFT) - Food Habits
Species lingcod
Species Id M010590
Date 27 AUG 96
COMMENTS ON LARVAE FOOD -
Larvae feed on small copepods and copepod eggs; as they grow, their diet
expands to include larger copepods, fish larvae, and larvaceans which are a
type of pelagic tunicate.*235*
Food Habits - 2 (DRAFT) - Environment Associations
Species lingcod
Species Id M010590
Date 27 AUG 96
ENVIRONMENTAL ASSOCIATIONS
G = General A = Adult
LIM = Limiting RA = Resting Adult
J = Juvenile FA = Feeding Adult
RJ = Resting Juvenile BA = Breeding Adult
FJ = Feeding Juvenile P = Pupae
L = Larvae E = Egg
RL = Resting Larvae
FL = Feeding Larvae
LIFESTAGE ENVIRONMENTAL ASSOCIATIONS
E Bottom Type [Aquatic]: Boulders
E Water Velocity [Instream Flow Group Increments]: Specified in Comments
L Water Velocity [Instream Flow Group Increments]: Specified in Comments
L Bottom Type [Aquatic]: Boulders
L Aquatic Vegetation [specified type]: Specified in comments
J Density of Aquatic Vegetation: Specified in comments
J Gradient: Unknown
J Flow: Specified in Comments
J Water Velocity [Instream Flow Group Increments]: Specified in Comments
A Water Depth Preference: Specified in Comments
A Bottom Type [Aquatic]: Boulders
A Aquatic Vegetation [specified type]: Specified in comments
A Density of Aquatic Vegetation: Specified in comments
A Gradient: Specified in Comments
A Flow: Specified in Comments
A Water Velocity [Instream Flow Group Increments]: Specified in Comments
A Water Depth Preference: Specified in Comments
REFERENCES FOR ADULT ENVIRONMENTAL ASSOC_ - 235
REFERENCES FOR JUVENILE ENVIRONMENTAL ASSOC_ - 235
REFERENCES FOR LARVAE ENVIRONMENTAL ASSOC_ - 235
REFERENCES FOR EGG ENVIRONMENTAL ASSOC_ - 235
COMMENTS ON ENVIRONMENTAL ASSOCIATIONS -
Females deposit their eggs in crevices between large rocks or slightly
under a boulder or rocky shelf from 3 to 10 m below the lowest tide level
and where there are strong currents.*235*
Little has been published about the environmental requirements of lingcod.
Researchers speculated that lingcod larvae feed primarily on zooplankton in
the size range of 250-512 micrometers and that their survival is greatly
influenced by variations in the quantity of the smaller microzooplankton.
Thus, the pelagic larvae of lingcod could be highly susceptible to annual
fluctuations in the environment, e.g., salinity, temperature, etc., since
their survival may depend on the type and abundance of the food
Environment Associations - 1 (DRAFT) - Environment Associations
Species lingcod
Species Id M010590
Date 27 AUG 96
supply.*235*
The vertical distribution of lingcod is from the surface to at least 420 m
while the bulk of the population is in waters less than 100 m deep.
Generally, juveniles are found nearshore in shallow water among the seaweeds
and eel grass, and over sandy bottom, while adults are found in deeper
water.*235*
Lingcod occupy areas where there is water movement and food is abundant.
They live in rocky locations with considerable current but avoid muddy
bottoms and stagnant water, except that some have been observed over sandy
and mud bottoms.*235*
Studies have listed two environments where lingcod are most plentiful:
(1) The more or less precipitous slopes of submerged banks from 10-70 m
below the surface, where there is a rich growth of seaweeds, kelp, eel
grass, and hydroids forming a vast feeding ground for many species of
small fish.
(2) In channels where strong currents flow over and around reefs and
carry quantities of plankton and plankton-feeding fish that concentrate
in the tide-rips and whirlpools.*235*
COMMENTS ON ADULT ENVIRONMENTAL ASSOC_ -
The vertical distribution of lingcod is from the surface to at least 420 m
while the bulk of the population is in waters less than 100 m deep.
Generally, juveniles are found nearshore in shallow water among the seaweeds
and eel grass, and over sandy bottom, while adults are found in deeper
water.*235*
Lingcod occupy areas where there is water movement and food is abundant.
They live in rocky locations with considerable current but avoid muddy
bottoms and stagnant water, except that some have been observed over sandy
and mud bottoms.*235*
Studies have listed two environments where lingcod are most plentiful:
(1) The more or less precipitous slopes of submerged banks from 10-70 m
below the surface, where there is a rich growth of seaweeds, kelp, eel
grass, and hydroids forming a vast feeding ground for many species of
small fish.
(2) In channels where strong currents flow over and around reefs and
carry quantities of plankton and plankton-feeding fish that concentrate
in the tide-rips and whirlpools.*235*
COMMENTS ON JUVENILE ENVIRONMENTAL ASSOC_ -
Generally, juveniles are found nearshore in shallow water among the
seaweeds and eel grass.*235*
COMMENTS ON LARVAE ENVIRONMENTAL ASSOC_ -
Little has been published about the environmental requirements of lingcod.
Researchers speculated that lingcod larvae feed primarily on zooplankton in
the size range of 250-512 micrometers and that their survival is greatly
influenced by variations in the quantity of the smaller microzooplankton.
Thus, the pelagic larvae of lingcod could be highly susceptible to annual
Environment Associations - 2 (DRAFT) - Environment Associations
Species lingcod
Species Id M010590
Date 27 AUG 96
fluctuations in the environment, e.g., salinity, temperature, etc., since
their survival may depend on the type and abundance of the food
supply.*235*
COMMENTS ON EGG ENVIRONMENTAL ASSOC_ -
Females deposit their eggs in crevices between large rocks or slightly
under a boulder or rocky shelf from 3 to 10 m below the lowest tide level
and where there are strong currents.*235*
Environment Associations - 3 (DRAFT) - Life History
Species lingcod
Species Id M010590
Date 27 AUG 96
LIFE HISTORY
MORPHOLOGY: Lingcod are elongated fish tapering toward the caudal peduncle.
They are recognizable by a long single moderatley notched dorsal fin, large
mouth, large teeth, thoracic pelvic fins, and small cycloid scales that
cover the body and head. Dorsal fin rays XXIV-XXVII, 21-24, spinous part
slightly incised; anal III, 21-24, spines in adults buried in flesh;
pectorals much expanded pelvics I,5; vertebrae 55-57. Color varies from
gray-brown to green and bluish, with darker spotting and mottling on upper
parts. Juveniles may retain fluorescent grid marks for 3 months. Total
length to 152 cm. Body depth about 1/4.5; head large, conical, depressed,
its length about 1/3 SL. Mouth terminal large with great gape, directed
slightly upward. Maxillary extended beyond posterior part of eye with lower
jaw projecting. Teeth large canine. Eye oval, rather small, length about 1/6
(length of head). Gill membranes briefly united anteriorly, free from
isthmus. Anal papilla in male.*235*
REPRODUCTION: The spawning season extends from about mid-December to
mid-March, although most of the fish have laid their eggs before the end of
January. Prior to spawnig time, males move into the nesting area to
establish territories. Females are rarely seen on the spawning grounds, and are assumed to move into the area long enough to deposit their eggs and leave. Females deposit their eggs in crevices between large rocks or slightly under a boulder or rocky shelf from 3 to 10 m below the lowest tide level and where there are strong currents. A transparent, yellowish, highly viscous secretion is extruded with the eggs which, upon contact with salt water, forms a strong adhesive for the attachment of eggs to the rocky surface. Each time the female lays a layer of eggs, the male fertilizes them with short successive jets of milt. When spawning is completed, the female leaves the area and the male remains to guard the eggs.
Lingcod eggs are about 2.8 mm in diameter when first extruded but swell to
about 3.5 mm shortly after contact with water. A female 76 cm long and
weighing 4.5 kg had about 60,000 eggs, and another that was 92 cm long and
weighed 11.1 kg produced about 518,000 eggs. It has been reported that a
100-cm female carried about 290,000 eggs. An egg mass, after being laid,
can be up to 5 liters in volume. The exact incubation time is not known but
has been estimated to be 6-8 weeks.*235*
POPULATION ATTRIBUTES: Larvae are about 7-11.5 mm long at hatching.
Juvenile stages have been extensively studied for the area around Vancouver
Island, Canada. While in these open waters, they grow about 1 mm per day.
Around 70-80 mm long, the juveniles congregate in inshore locations. In the
Strait of Georgia, the total length (TL) of juvenile lingcod are 1-3 cm by
April and 17-35 cm by December; the average is 27 cm by the end of the first
year of life (March) and 47 cm at the end of the second year.
Males mature at a smaller size and younger age than females. Adult lingcod
can be sexed externally: males have a distinct papilla just forward of the
anus.
The life span is shorter in male lingcod than in females. Males live to an
average of 12-14 years and females 15-16 years.
Fin rays, scales vertebrae, and tag and recovery data have been used to
estimate the growth of lingcod. At age III, differential growth between
sexes in some populations becomes more marked; females are about 58 cm long
and males slightly smaller. Researchers have found that a 3-year-old
lingcod of either sex averaged around 50 cm TL, but thereafter male and
female growth patterns diverged widely.*235*
REFERENCES FOR LIFE HISTORY- 235
Life History - 1 (DRAFT) - Management Practices
Species lingcod
Species Id M010590
Date 27 AUG 96
MANAGEMENT PRACTICES
RESULT MANAGEMENT PRACTICE
Beneficial Regulating harvest - setting bag/creel limits
Beneficial Regulating harvest - setting size limits
Existing Other management practices [specified in comments]
Existing Harvest of species using non-selective gear
Existing Mariculture activities
Adverse Other management practices [specified in comments]
Adverse Other management practices [specified in comments]
Adverse Other management practices [specified in comments]
Adverse Other management practices [specified in comments]
Adverse Dredging
Adverse Deposition of fill
REFERENCES FOR BENEFICIAL MANAGEMENT PRACTICES - 235
REFERENCES FOR ADVERSE MANAGEMENT PRACTICES - 235
REFERENCES FOR EXISTING MANAGEMENT PRACTICES - 235
Management Practices - 1 (DRAFT) - Management Practices
Species lingcod
Species Id M010590
Date 27 AUG 96
COMMENTS ON MANAGEMENT PRACTICES -
Few attempts have been made to rear lingcod. No successful method of
raising juveniles from hatchlings has been developed, but culturists have
attempted to rear native juveniles in floating cages. The fish were caught
with a modified 16-foot shrimp trawl, transferred to cages, and fed frozen
herring chunks and Oregon Moist Pellets. At the end of the 52 day
experiment, 62% had survived with most mortalities attributed to
cannibalism. The fish did not consume the Oregon Moist Pellets.*235*
Humans are the main predators of lingcod. Most declines in abundance have
been due to fishing. A 10% exploitation rate can reduce the original stock
by more than 50%.*235*
Lingcod are susceptible to oil pollution. Lingcod populations in rocky
habitats are likely to suffer significant damamge from spilled oil or other
petrochemical products.*235*
A number of heavy meatals have been found in lingcod. Researchers have
found 0.3 mg/kg of arsenic in the body muscle of one fish from the west
coast of Canada; they have also found 0.08-0.27 ppm mercury in the lateral
muscle of lingcod from Port Alberni, Nanaimo, and Horseshore Bay, B.C.,
Canada, and 0.06-0.73 ppm of mercury in lingcod collected along the Oregon
coast has been found.*235*
Residues of DDT have been found in lingcod. Studies found 0.22 ppm in liver
and 0.04 ppm in flsesh samples from fish collected at Monterey,
California.*235*
Benthic spawning by lingcod makes the species vulnerable to disturbance of
the substrate by oil spills or by activities such as dredge-and-fill
operations.*235*
Management Practices - 2 (DRAFT) - References
Species lingcod
Species Id M010590
Date 27 AUG 96
References
235 * W.N. Shaw. 1989. Species Profiles: Life Histories and
Environmental Requirements of Coastal Fishes and Invertebrates
(Pacific Northwest)--Lingcod. Species Profile Series 82(11.119)
(ed.). U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Washington, DC:10.
References - 1