Alaska pollock
A major North Pacific cod species used for surimi and fillets.
The Alaska pollock is a marine fish in the cod family found across the North Pacific Ocean. It supports one of the world's largest fisheries and serves as the primary ingredient for imitation crab meat and fast food sandwiches.
- Largest single-species fishery in the United States.
- Primary source material for imitation crab meat.
- Used in major fast food chain sandwich menus.
- Considered the national fish of South Korea.
- Genetically identical to rare Barents Sea populations.
What it is
This fish belongs to the cod family and lives in the cold waters of the North Pacific Ocean. Adults display speckled patterns that help them blend into sandy seabeds. They are semi-pelagic, meaning they swim in open water rather than near the bottom. The species grows quickly but has a short lifespan. Maximum recorded lengths reach nearly seventy centimetres. Their bodies are streamlined for efficient swimming in large schools.
Where it lives
Populations concentrate heavily in the Eastern Bering Sea. Ranges extend through the Gulf of Alaska and around the Aleutian Islands. Western distributions include Russian waters off Japan and Korea. A tiny, genetically identical population exists in the Barents Sea near Norway. These Arctic groups were historically classified separately before genetic testing proved they are the same species.
How it lives
Young fish feed primarily on copepods and krill. Larger juveniles store more energy than smaller ones, allowing them to skip winter hunting. Adults perform vertical migrations to follow food sources like plankton. Deeper waters are occupied during colder months when surface food declines. Drumming muscles produce sounds used during courtship rituals. Stormy summers boost nutrient levels, leading to higher survival rates for hatchlings three years later.
Breeding and life cycle
Spawning occurs in winter months within their coastal habitats. Larvae rely on abundant phytoplankton blooms for early growth. Environmental factors like storm intensity influence nutrient availability. This directly impacts how many young fish survive their first year. Stock assessments monitor these breeding cycles to set annual catch limits.
Fish and people
This species supports the largest single-species fishery in the United States. It is the main ingredient for surimi, which creates imitation crab products. Fast food chains use frozen fillets for sandwiches and fish sticks. In Korea, the fish holds cultural significance and is processed in various dried forms. Roe is consumed as a delicacy in Japan and Russia. Fisheries hold sustainability certifications for management practices.
Status and threats
The International Union for Conservation of Nature lists the species as Near Threatened in Europe. Management agencies adjust quotas based on stock health data. Past reductions occurred when populations declined. Certification bodies recognize U.S. fisheries as sustainable models. Russian waters face different assessment ratings. Climate changes and warming seas impact local abundance in South Korea.
Questions people ask about Alaska pollock
Is Alaska pollock a type of cod?
Yes, it belongs to the cod family and the genus Gadus. Scientific reviews moved it from Theragra back to Gadus due to genetic similarities with Atlantic cod.
What is surimi made from?
Single-frozen Alaska pollock fillets are the premier raw material. The paste is processed into imitation crab sticks or seafood chunks sold in markets.
Why is the name controversial?
Experts argue 'pollock' is misleading since it is not in the Pollachius genus. Names like snow cod or copperline cod better reflect its actual cod family classification.
How does weather affect catches?
Stormy summers stir up nutrients that boost phytoplankton. This leads to higher survival rates for pollock hatchlings three years after the storms occur.
Good reading and sources
- Alaska pollock on WikipediaEncyclopedia
- More photos on Wikimedia CommonsPhotos
- Wikidata recordOpen data
The facts on this page come from the Wikipedia article "Alaska pollock", written by its contributors and used under the CC BY-SA 4.0 licence, and from its Wikidata record (CC0). EveryFish rewrote the text in its own words, with AI assistance, and compares every page with the article to make sure no passage is copied. It may be reused under the same CC BY-SA 4.0 licence with a link back.
It may contain mistakes, and figures change over time. Nothing here is investment or buying advice. If something is wrong, tell us. Last refreshed 2026-11-15.
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