Lingcod (Ophiodon elongatus) comprise a major component of recreational and commercial fisheries along the west coast of North America, yet populations have fluctuated dramatically in recent years. For fisheries managers, knowing how lingcod move over space and time will be useful for creating stock models, designing marine protected areas, and deciding when and where seasonal fishery closures should occur. Identifying movement patterns can also aid in understanding ecological processes such as predation, competition, tropic interactions, and habitat associations.

We are investigating how movement patterns of lingcod (Ophiodon elongatus) vary over daily to monthly time scales in the nearshore environment. Specifically, we are determining whether lingcod are residents of Carmel Bay throughout the year or seasonal visitors. We will also ascertain if movements vary among different size classes and sexes, and how movement patterns relate to physical parameters in the environment. In summary, the questions we are asking include:

1. Are lingcod primarily residents or visitors of the nearshore subtidal environment in Carmel Bay?

2. Do rates and patterns of movement vary among size classes and sex? Do large fish utilize the same areas as smaller conspecifics? Do male and female lingcod occupy the same areas?

3. Are lingcod movements associated with time of day, season, photoperiod, water temperature, or tide?

4. Does the depth distribution of lingcod change throughout the year?

5. Are movement patterns and site fidelity similar in areas of high relief versus areas of low relief?