Atlantic Cod
Gadus morhua
Also known as Cod, Codling, Scrod cod, Markets, Steakers
Culinary Profile
Atlantic cod has a mild clean flavor. It is sweeter than Pacific cod.
Cod has large flakes. It's less firm than haddock.
Gastronomic Specifications
Biology & Habitat
Appearance
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.
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.
Where They Live
Range 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.
How to Buy & Source
Availability
Year-round.
Source
Wild-caught from Maine to Virginia.
Commercial Fishery & Harvest
Commercial fishery: In 2023, commercial landings of Atlantic cod totaled 1 million pounds and were valued at $2.2 million, according to the NOAA Fisheries commercial fishing landings database . 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.
Nutritional Benchmarking Across 65 Species
Where Atlantic Cod ranks against the rest of the catalogue on each of USDA FoodData Central's per-100 g nutrient measures.
| Nutrient | Value | Rank | Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| Choline | 65.2 mg | 7 / 65 | 89% |
| Vitamin D | 0.9 IU | 40 / 54 | 26% |
| Phosphorus | 203 mg | 60 / 111 | 46% |
| Zinc | 0.45 mg | 64 / 111 | 42% |
| Protein | 17.81 g | 66 / 111 | 41% |
| Omega-3 DHA | 120 mg | 70 / 104 | 33% |
| Omega-3 EPA | 64 mg | 74 / 104 | 29% |
| Iron | 0.38 mg | 75 / 111 | 32% |
| Selenium | 33.1 µg | 82 / 106 | 23% |
| Vitamin B12 | 0.91 µg | 93 / 106 | 12% |
Other Species in Genus Gadus
2 close biological relatives of Atlantic Cod 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alaska Pollock | Gadus chalcogrammus | 17.17 | 160 | Smart Choice |
| Pacific Cod | Gadus macrocephalus | 17.81 | 120 | Smart Choice |
Other New England/Mid-Atlantic Fisheries
Sustainable species managed out of the same regional fishery council as Atlantic Cod.
Atlantic Bigeye Tuna
Thunnus obesus
Bigeye tuna has a mild, meaty flavor, with a higher fat content than yellowfintuna. Sashimi lovers prefer it.
Atlantic Blacktip Shark
Carcharhinus limbatus
Sweet, meaty taste.
Atlantic Common Thresher Shark
Alopias vulpinus
Mild flavor.
Atlantic Herring
Clupea harengus
Small fresh herring have a more delicate flavor, while larger herring have a fuller, oilier flavor.
Atlantic Mackerel
Scomber scombrus
Mackerel has a rich, pronounced flavor. For a milder flavor, cut out the outer bands of dark meat along the midline.
Atlantic Mahi Mahi
Coryphaena hippurus
Mahi mahi has a sweet, mild flavor. For a milder flavor, trim away darker portions of the meat.
Atlantic Sharpnose Shark
Rhizoprionodon terraenovae
Reported to be quite tasty.
Atlantic Skipjack Tuna
Katsuwonus pelamis
Skipjack tuna has the most pronounced taste of all of the tropical tunas.
Atlantic Spiny Dogfish
Squalus acanthias
Mild and sweet.
Atlantic Striped Bass
Morone saxatilis
Both wild-caught and farmed striped bass have a slightly sweet flavor.
Similar by Flavour: Other Mild-Tasting Species
If you enjoy the mild flavour profile of Atlantic Cod, 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.
Alaska Pollock
Gadus chalcogrammus
Pollock has mild-tasting flesh and is similar to other white fish like cod or haddock.
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 Common Thresher Shark
Alopias vulpinus
Mild flavor.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Atlantic Cod found?
Range 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.
How should Atlantic Cod be cooked?
Atlantic Cod has Cod has large flakes. It's less firm than haddock. — suited to gentle methods that preserve moisture (poaching, sous-vide, low-heat roasting) as much as high-heat techniques (grilling, searing), depending on thickness of the cut.
What is the stock status of Atlantic Cod?
The Gulf of Maine and Georges Bank stocks are overfished, but the fishing rate established under rebuilding plans promotes population growth.
How does Atlantic Cod reproduce?
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.
Sustainability Story
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.
Stock Structure
There are two stocks of Atlantic cod: Gulf of Maine and Georges Bank stocks. According to the most recent stock assessments The Gulf of Maine stock is overfished and subject to overfishing (2021 stock assessment). Summary stock assessment information can be found on Stock SMART . The Georges Bank stock is overfished and subject to overfishing (2021 stock assessment).
Population
The Gulf of Maine and Georges Bank stocks are overfished, but the fishing rate established under rebuilding plans promotes population growth.
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.
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.
Data Source: NOAA Fisheries
Nutritional Profile
per 100 g raw edible portion · 21 values
Energy
Macronutrients
Omega-3 Fatty Acids
Vitamins
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.