Streaming Media
Presentation Abstract
Shifting Population Patterns of Lingcod in a 25 Year Study in a Marine Park The Edmonds Underwater Park has been a marine reserve since 1970. Beginning in 1996 and continuing for 25 years, there has been systematic observation of lingcod and an annual census of their nesting. The census over the years can be defined in three phases; an initial phase comprised of many volunteers developing and refining the protocol, a second phase of fewer observers using a mature process and the final phase with methodology refined for a small number of observers. The 25 years can also be generally described in three phases in terms of the observations of lingcod spawning. The first was a period of increasing numbers of nest sites and egg masses as the fish filled the available sites. That was followed by a period of stability with a distribution of mature fish with established territories returning to reuse the same nest sites. Recent years, the third period, has resulted in reduced numbers of nest sites and egg masses. The trend suggests the decline will continue in the coming 25th season. We will describe the first two phases as a baseline to explore the third. We will then explore potential destabilizing causes of the decline and the ecological consequences. Long-term monitoring has provided insight to factors, both detrimental and beneficial to lingcod, during the third phase. Examples include: the disappearance of sunflower sea stars, (P. helianthoides), a significant predator of lingcod egg masses, from the park due to the wasting disease; carcasses of many mature lingcod, with only the head and a portion of the spine intact, this past spawning season and; concurrent with the presence of sea lions in the park; and the presence of immature lingcod. We will also briefly cover the system, sampling methodology, and the role of un-funded citizen science to maintain long term studies.
Session Title
Groundfish
Conference Track
SSE4: Fish Science and Policy
Conference Name
Salish Sea Ecosystem Conference (2022 : Online)
Document Type
Event
SSEC Identifier
SSE-traditionals-351
Start Date
26-4-2022 1:30 PM
End Date
26-4-2022 3:00 PM
Rights
Copying of this document in whole or in part is allowable only for scholarly purposes. It is understood, however, that any copying or publication of this document for commercial purposes, or for financial gain, shall not be allowed without the author's written permission.
Type
Text
Language
English
Shifting Population Patterns of Lingcod in a 25 Year Study in a Marine Park
Shifting Population Patterns of Lingcod in a 25 Year Study in a Marine Park The Edmonds Underwater Park has been a marine reserve since 1970. Beginning in 1996 and continuing for 25 years, there has been systematic observation of lingcod and an annual census of their nesting. The census over the years can be defined in three phases; an initial phase comprised of many volunteers developing and refining the protocol, a second phase of fewer observers using a mature process and the final phase with methodology refined for a small number of observers. The 25 years can also be generally described in three phases in terms of the observations of lingcod spawning. The first was a period of increasing numbers of nest sites and egg masses as the fish filled the available sites. That was followed by a period of stability with a distribution of mature fish with established territories returning to reuse the same nest sites. Recent years, the third period, has resulted in reduced numbers of nest sites and egg masses. The trend suggests the decline will continue in the coming 25th season. We will describe the first two phases as a baseline to explore the third. We will then explore potential destabilizing causes of the decline and the ecological consequences. Long-term monitoring has provided insight to factors, both detrimental and beneficial to lingcod, during the third phase. Examples include: the disappearance of sunflower sea stars, (P. helianthoides), a significant predator of lingcod egg masses, from the park due to the wasting disease; carcasses of many mature lingcod, with only the head and a portion of the spine intact, this past spawning season and; concurrent with the presence of sea lions in the park; and the presence of immature lingcod. We will also briefly cover the system, sampling methodology, and the role of un-funded citizen science to maintain long term studies.
