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EveryFish
Pollock

Pollock

Two species of North Atlantic marine fish in the genus Pollachius.

Photo: Unknown author, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

The term pollock refers to two distinct species within the genus Pollachius found in the North Atlantic Ocean. These fish are widely consumed as food and serve as a sustainable alternative to cod due to shifting fishing pressures.

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  • Maximum length reaches 130 centimetres for both species.
  • Saithe can weigh up to 32 kilograms.
  • European pollock has a strong underbite.
  • Habitat includes depths up to 180 metres.
  • Used in fish fingers and imitation crab meat.

What it is

Pollock describes two marine species belonging to the genus Pollachius. Both reach lengths of 130 centimetres. The saithe (P. virens) features a straight silvery lateral line, greenish-black upper body, and white belly. The European pollock (P. pollachius) displays a crooked lateral line, grey to golden underside, dark brown back, and a prominent underbite. They inhabit rocky seabeds across the North Atlantic.

Where it lives

These fish dwell throughout the North Atlantic Ocean. They occupy various depths within the water column but are frequently found near rocky substrates. Their habitat extends down to 180 metres. This range covers coastal waters where they hunt and reside among underwater structures.

Breeding and life cycle

Details concerning reproduction cycles or breeding seasons are absent from the provided text.

Pollock
A drawing made by EveryFish from what this page says. It is a diagram, not a picture of the real fish.

Fish and people

Pollock serves as a significant food source in regions like Norway and the United Kingdom. It acts as an affordable substitute for cod and haddock. Preparations include fillets, fish fingers, imitation crab meat, and fish and chips. Traditional methods involve salting, drying over peat, or smoking. A UK retailer once renamed it 'colin' to encourage consumption.

Status and threats

No conservation status data is available in the provided text.

Pollachius pollachius
Pollachius pollachius. Photo: This illustration was made by Citron You must credit this : Citron / C, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Pollock , Pollachius virens , in Ozeaneum public aquarium, Stralsund, Germany
Pollock , Pollachius virens , in Ozeaneum public aquarium, Stralsund, Germany. Photo: Tino Strauss, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Pollack (Pollachius pollachius) Stavern, Norway. You are free to use this picture outside Wikipedia (see license), as long as you write: Photo: Arnstein Rønning
Pollack (Pollachius pollachius) Stavern, Norway. You are free to use this picture outside Wikipedia (see license), as lo. Photo: Arnstein Rønning, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Pollock ( Pollachius virens ) in Norway
Pollock ( Pollachius virens ) in Norway. Photo: Mikael Nyman, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Questions people ask about Pollock

What is the difference between pollock and saithe?

Pollachius pollachius is called pollock in North America and Europe. Pollachius virens is known as saithe or coley in Great Britain. Saithe has a straight lateral line and weighs more, while pollock has a crooked line and an underbite.

Is pollock safe to eat?

It is considered a low-mercury fish. A 60 kg woman can safely consume up to 510 grams per week. A 20 kg child can safely eat up to 170 grams weekly based on traditional usage guidelines mentioned in the text.

Why did supermarkets rename pollock?

A UK supermarket briefly renamed Atlantic pollock 'colin' in 2009. The name comes from the French word for cooked pollock. The goal was to boost eco-friendly sales by offering an alternative to cod.

Good reading and sources

Where this page comes from

The facts on this page come from the Wikipedia article "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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Photo credits on this page

The small pictures above come from Wikimedia Commons under free licences. Some are cropped to fit.

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