Lingcod Egg Mass Survey Methods
MLSS’ Lingcod Egg Mass Survey (LEMS) program is run annually from January to March, during peak lingcod spawning season. Lingcod typically spawn in rocky habitat that have strong currents to allow for egg respiration. Most egg masses are found in depths of 15 – 60 ft (4-18m) and is where the survey effort should take place (though masses can be observed outside of these depths). The eggs stick together to form an mass that looks like a clump of Styrofoam. New eggs will be white / pink, while older eggs will be eyed / dark grey. It is important to note the size of the egg mass as it provides details on the age of the female who laid them, providing insight into population health. The older the female laying the eggs, the larger the egg mass will be. Egg mass sizes can be lumped into three categories; grapefruit sized, cantaloupe sized, and watermelon sized. Grapefruit sized masses are produced by three-year-old females and hold about a liter of eggs. Cantaloupe sized masses are produced by four-year-old females and hold about two liters of eggs. Finally, watermelon sized egg masses are produced by five-year-old and older females.
Gathering egg mass data is easy and can be done during a regular dive. We use a “roving diver” method to conduct these surveys – meaning you can just conduct your dive as normal! Keep in mind that all data is good data! It is very important to still submit survey data even if no egg masses were sighted on your dive. The depth range for most masses is between 15-60 feet, so make sure you note how long you spent in that range instead of total dive time. If you spent most of your time diving down at 100 feet, it wasn’t much of a survey dive.
While diving if you see an egg mass, note the depth where you found it in feet or meters. Estimate the size by stating if the egg mass is roughly the size of a Grapefruit, Cantaloupe or Watermelon. Note the condition; new (white/pink), eyed (dark grey), or rotten, as well as how it is situated, loose in a crevice, secure in a crevice or out in the open. Finally record if you see a guarding male. One male may guard more than one egg mass though, so indicate accordingly. If the male is guarding only one nest, record a P. if it is guarding multiple masses record a P2 for each individual nest. If there is no male, record an A, for absent.
When you submit the data gathered, you will also need to include the date, diver information, area and dive site (for an example, see below!). Try to be as accurate as possible and use GPS headings when possible.
Submitting data is easy and can help future lingcod stocks through research and monitoring. While out for a dive from January to March, please keep the LEMS in mind and send in your information! Lingcod are counting on you!
Data can be emailed to lem@mlss.com or submitted through our survey link or QR code
