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seafood encyclopedia

Atlantic Cod

Overview

  • Scientific Name: Gadus morhua
  • US Market Name(s): Cod
  • Canada Market Name(s): Cod, Atlantic Cod

Culinary Profile

Atlantic Cod flesh is lean - bright white - thick - slightly firm with a delicate texture and offers an excellent flaking quality. The flavour is very mild – and slightly sweeter and moister that its Pacific cousin.

Description

This bottom-dwelling species is a large Groundfish that is similar in appearance to Pacific Cod. Its body colour varies from brownish red to grey or black - belly shade ranging from grey to white. The fish has a pale lateral line along both sides of its body. Both Atlantic and Pacific Cod species have a distinctive barbell on the end of their lower jaw. Atlantic Cod once grew to be 210 pounds – today, the average size is around 10 pounds.

Habitat

Atlantic Cod reside anywhere from the shoreline down to the continental shelf - ranging in depths from 30 - 490 feet. Atlantic Cod are found on both sides of the Atlantic Ocean - ranging as far south as Cape Hatteras, North Carolina to as far north as the Arctic.

Fishing Season

Sustainability Status

Atlantic Cod stocks in Iceland, the Barents Sea, the Gulf of Maine and Georges Bank are considered overfished. The Arcto-Norwegian Cod stock is the most populous of all Atlantic Cod stocks.

Fishy Fact: Cod can change colour at various water depths - enabling it to blend with the colour of its environment.

Products

Available as Value Added, Commodity, Custom Packing.