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Atlantic Cod

Gadus morhua

Also Known As

  • Cod
  • Codling
  • Scrod cod
  • Markets
  • Steakers

Although populations are well below target levels, U.S. wild-caught Atlantic cod is still a smart seafood choice because it is sustainably managed under a rebuilding plan that allows limited harvest by U.S. fishermen.

Atlantic codA researcher holds an Atlantic cod.Catch of Atlantic cod during a research survey.Atlantic CodAtlantic Cod

Population

Significantly below target population levels. Rebuilding plans are in place.

Fishing Rate

Reduced to end overfishing.

Habitat Impacts

Area closures and gear restrictions protect habitat that are affected by some kinds of trawl gear.

Bycatch

Regulations and the use of modified fishing gear reduce bycatch.

  • Availability

    Year-round.

  • Source

    Wild-caught from Maine to Virginia.

  • Taste

    Atlantic cod has a mild clean flavor. It is sweeter than Pacific cod.

  • Texture

    Cod has large flakes. It's less firm than haddock.

The U.S. Fishery

Fishery Management

  • There are two stocks of Atlantic cod in U.S. waters, the Gulf of Maine and Georges Bank stocks.
  • NOAA Fisheries and the New England Fishery Management Council manage Gulf of Maine cod. NOAA Fisheries and the New England Fishery Management Council collaborate with Canada to jointly manage Georges Bank cod, because the stock spans the international boundary.
  • Atlantic cod, along with other groundfish in New England waters, are managed under the Northeast Multispecies Fishery Management Plan, which includes:
    • Permitting requirements for commercial vessels.
    • Separate management measures for recreational vessels.
    • Year-round and seasonal area closures to protect spawning fish and habitat.
    • Minimum fish sizes to prevent harvest of juvenile fish.
    • Annual catch limits, based on best available science.
    • An optional sector (catch share) program can be used for cod and other groundfish species. The sector program allows fishermen to form harvesting cooperatives and work together to decide when, where, and how they harvest fish.

Harvest

  • Commercial fishery:
    • In 2018, commercial landings of Atlantic cod totaled 2.15 million pounds and were valued at more than $4.7 million.
  • Gear types, habitat impacts, and bycatch:
    • Cod are commonly harvested using trawl nets, gillnets, bottom longlines, and rod and reel.
    • Gillnets, longlines, and rod and reel used to harvest cod have little to no impact on habitat.
    • Closed areas and gear restrictions reduce habitat impacts from trawl nets.
    • Fishermen follow management measures designed to reduce interactions with marine mammals, including gear modifications, seasonal closures, and use of marine mammal deterrents.
  • Recreational fishery:
    • Cod are highly prized by recreational fishermen. They are commonly harvested by anglers using lures or bait. Fishing occurs year-round.
    • Regulations include minimum fish sizes, possession limits, and closed seasons.

The Science

Population Status

  • Gulf of Maine stock:
    • According to the 2019 stock assessment, the Gulf of Maine stock is overfished and below the target biomass level.
    • A new 10-year rebuilding plan was implemented for this stock in 2014 and the stock is targeted to rebuild by 2024.  This is the second rebuilding plan for this stock.
  • Georges Bank stock:
    • According to the 2013 stock assessment, the Georges Bank stock is overfished.
    • The Georges Bank stock is scheduled to rebuild by 2027.
  • Both stocks are subject to overfishing. Fishing is still allowed, but at reduced levels.
  • Historically, cod was so abundant off New England that early explorers named Cape Cod for the fish. Furthermore, Gloucester was established by a colonial charter issued to profit from cod fishing, and a painted “sacred cod” carved from pine has hung in the Massachusetts state house since 1784 as a symbol of prosperity.
  • Due to high fishing pressure throughout the latter part of the 20th century, there are fewer fish in the U.S. stocks of Atlantic cod than the average for the past four decades.
  • A primary source of rebuilding potential is the number of young fish coming into the population (recruitment). Over the past 20 years, recruitment has varied for the Gulf of Maine stock, and has been well below average for the Georges Bank stock.

Location

  • In the Northwest Atlantic, cod range from Greenland to Cape Hatteras, North Carolina.
  • In U.S. waters, cod is most common on Georges Bank and in the western Gulf of Maine.

Habitat

  • Atlantic cod live near the ocean floor along rocky slopes and ledges.
  • They prefer to live in cold water, at depths of around 30 to 500 feet, on bottoms with coarse sediments, rather than on finer mud and silt.

Physical Description

  • Atlantic cod are heavy-bodied with a large head, blunt snout, and a distinct barbel (a whisker-like organ, like on a catfish) under the lower jaw.
  • Their coloring varies, ranging from light yellowish-green to red and olive, usually with darker speckles on the head, fins, tail, and body. The belly is light colored and usually spotless. Individuals can change color readily.
  • Cod have an obvious lateral line (the faint line that runs lengthwise down each side of the fish).

Biology

  • Atlantic cod can live more than 20 years.
  • They can grow up to 51 inches and 77 pounds.
  • They are capable of reproducing at 2 to 3 years old, when they are between 12 and 16 inches long.
  • Cod spawn near the ocean floor from winter to early spring.
  • Larger females can produce 3 to 9 million eggs when they spawn.
  • They are top predators in the bottom ocean community, feeding on a variety of invertebrates and fish.

Research

  • Scientists at NOAA’s Northeast Fisheries Science Center conduct research bottom trawl surveys throughout the Northeast continental shelf every year during the fall and spring. These surveys collect data on the environment as well as biological samples from fish caught during research trawling. The data from these and other sources are used by scientists in stock assessments to estimate population size and fishing pressure.
  • 2019 Northeast Groundfish Operational Assessments website
  • Around the world, several universities and research institutions have conducted a number of research projects with industry partners to advance commercial cod production.

Last updated: 03/04/2020