Alaska Pollock
Gadus chalcogrammus
Also known as Pollock, Walleye pollock, Pacific pollock
Culinary Profile
Pollock has mild-tasting flesh and is similar to other white fish like cod or haddock.
Pollock has a relatively fine texture and is well suited for a variety of preparations.
Alaska pollock is a good source of omega-3 fatty acids, high in protein, and low in carbohydrates and fat.
Gastronomic Specifications
Biology & Habitat
Appearance
Pollock is a member of the cod family. They can grow as long as 3 feet but typically reach lengths between 12 and 20 inches and weigh between 1 and 3 pounds. They have speckled coloring that helps them blend in with the seafloor to avoid predators.
Biology
Alaska pollock grow fast and have a relatively short life span of about 12 years. As a result, they are generally more productive compared to slower growing, longer living species. Some pollock begin to reproduce by the age of 3 or 4 and are extremely fertile, so each generation replaces aging or harvested fish in just a few years. In the spring, pollock migrate inshore to shallow water to breed and feed.
Where They Live
Range Alaska pollock are found throughout the North Pacific Ocean but are most common in the Bering Sea. Habitat Younger pollock live in the mid-water region of the ocean; older pollock (age 5 and up) typically dwell near the ocean floor. Pollock swim in large schools in waters between 330 and 985 feet deep but are sometimes found as deep as 3,300 feet.
How to Buy & Source
Availability
Fresh from January to April and June to October. Frozen year-round.
Source
U.S. wild-caught, mainly in the Bering Sea and Gulf of Alaska.
Commercial Fishery & Harvest
Commercial fishery: The Alaska pollock fishery is one of the most valuable in the world. In 2023, commercial landings of Alaska pollock from the Bering Sea and Gulf of Alaska totaled over 3 billion pounds and were valued at approximately $525 million, according to the NOAA Fisheries commercial fishing landings database . A quarter of pollock products are surimi (imitation crab), almost one-fifth is roe (eggs), and close to half are fillets. The majority of the U.S. catch of pollock comes from the Bering Sea. Gear types, habitat impacts, and bycatch: In the United States, pollock are caught by trawlers that tow a large cone-shaped net through the mid-water. Less than 1 percent of the total catch in the Alaska pollock fishery is made up of other species.
Nutritional Benchmarking Across 104 Species
Where Alaska Pollock ranks against the rest of the catalogue on each of USDA FoodData Central's per-100 g nutrient measures.
| Nutrient | Value | Rank | Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| Omega-3 DHA | 160 mg | 62 / 104 | 40% |
| Omega-3 EPA | 75 mg | 69 / 104 | 34% |
| Protein | 17.17 g | 79 / 111 | 29% |
| Zinc | 0.4 mg | 82 / 111 | 26% |
| Phosphorus | 190 mg | 84 / 111 | 24% |
| Iron | 0.27 mg | 92 / 111 | 17% |
Other Species in Genus Gadus
2 close biological relatives of Alaska Pollock profiled in this catalogue — typically sharing similar anatomy, depth range, and fishery management.
| Species | Scientific name | Protein (g/100 g) | Omega-3 DHA (mg) | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Atlantic Cod | Gadus morhua | 17.81 | 120 | Smart Choice |
| Pacific Cod | Gadus macrocephalus | 17.81 | 120 | Smart Choice |
Other Alaska Fisheries
Sustainable species managed out of the same regional fishery council as Alaska Pollock.
Alaska Snow Crab
Chionoecetes opilio
Sweet.
Greenland Turbot
Reinhardtius hippoglossoides
Sweet, rich flavor that is similar to halibut.
Red King Crab
Paralithodes camtschaticus
Red king crab meat has a distinctive rich, sweet flavor and delicate texture.
Yellowfin Sole
Limanda aspera
Mild, sweet flavor.
Similar by Flavour: Other Mild-Tasting Species
If you enjoy the mild flavour profile of Alaska Pollock, these other species in the catalogue will feel familiar on the palate.
Acadian Redfish
Sebastes fasciatus
Mild and slightly sweet. Redfish can be used as a substitute for haddock and similar fish.
American Lobster
Homarus americanus
Mild and sweet.
Arrowtooth Flounder
Atheresthes stomias
Mild, sweet flavor.
Atlantic Bigeye Tuna
Thunnus obesus
Bigeye tuna has a mild, meaty flavor, with a higher fat content than yellowfintuna. Sashimi lovers prefer it.
Atlantic Cod
Gadus morhua
Atlantic cod has a mild clean flavor. It is sweeter than Pacific cod.
Atlantic Common Thresher Shark
Alopias vulpinus
Mild flavor.
Seasonal Alternatives · January–October
When fresh Alaska Pollock is at its peak, these species are also in season — menu-planning options with overlapping windows.
Alaska Snow Crab
Chionoecetes opilio
Generally harvested from January to April in the Eastern Bering Sea, but available year-round.
Brown Rock Shrimp
Sicyonia brevirostris
Year-round with peaks from July through October.
Caribbean Spiny Lobster
Panulirus argus
Fresh from August through March, but fishing drops sharply after the first of the year. Frozen year-round.
North Atlantic Swordfish
Xiphias gladius
Year-round, with peaks from June through October.
Opah
Lampris guttatus, Lampris spp.
Year-round, but landings seem to peak from April through August.
Pacific Blue Marlin
Makaira nigricans
From June through October.
Frequently Asked Questions
What months is fresh Alaska Pollock in season?
Fresh from January to April and June to October. Frozen year-round.
How much Alaska Pollock is caught commercially?
Commercial fishery: The Alaska pollock fishery is one of the most valuable in the world. In 2023, commercial landings of Alaska pollock from the Bering Sea and Gulf of Alaska totaled over 3 billion pounds and were valued at approximately $525 million, according to the NOAA Fisheries commercial fishing landings database .
What is the texture of Alaska Pollock meat?
Pollock has a relatively fine texture and is well suited for a variety of preparations.
Is Alaska Pollock a lean fish or a rich one?
At 76 kcal per 100 g raw, Alaska Pollock counts as lean on the fattiness spectrum — useful context when deciding cooking method (lean species suit poaching; rich species hold up to high-heat sear).
Sustainability Story
U.S. wild-caught Alaska pollock is a smart seafood choice because it is sustainably managed and responsibly harvested under U.S. regulations.
Stock Structure
There are five stocks of walleye pollock: Aleutian Islands, Eastern Bering Sea, Western/Central/West Yakutat Gulf of Alaska, Bogoslof, and Southeast Gulf of Alaska. According to the most recent stock assessments: The Aleutian Islands stock is not overfished (2022 stock assessment), and not subject to overfishing based on 2023 catch data.
Population
The Aleutian Islands, Eastern Bering Sea, and Western/Central/West Yakutat Gulf of Alaska stocks are not overfished. The Bogoslof and Southeast Gulf of Alaska population levels are unknown, but management measures are in place.
Fishing Rate
Not subject to overfishing.
Habitat Impacts
The Alaska pollock fishery uses pelagic trawl gear that, although sometimes making contact with the bottom, have minimal impact on habitat.
Bycatch
The Alaska pollock fishery is one of the cleanest in terms of incidental catch of other species (less than 1 percent).
Management
NOAA Fisheries and the North Pacific Fishery Management Council manage the Alaska pollock fishery. Managed under the Groundfish Fishery Management Plans for the Gulf of Alaska and the Bering Sea/Aleutian Islands : The Alaska pollock fishery is a great example of how science-based management and monitoring can help ensure the long-term sustainability of the resource.
Data Source: NOAA Fisheries
Nutritional Profile
per 100 g raw edible portion · 16 values
Energy
Macronutrients
Omega-3 Fatty Acids
Minerals
Source: USDA FoodData Central (SR Legacy). %DV is percent of 2,000-kcal daily value for adults.
calendar_month Harvest Season
Frozen available year-round.