Atlantic Pollock
Pollachius virens
Also known as Saithe, Coalfish, Coley, Green cod, Boston bluefish
Culinary Profile
Sweet and delicate.
Firm.
Atlantic pollock is very low in saturated fat and is a very good source of protein, vitamin B12, phosphorus, and selenium.
Gastronomic Specifications
Biology & Habitat
Appearance
Atlantic pollock are brownish-green on the back and slightly pale on the belly. They have a small chin barbel, like the whiskers on a catfish. They are a member of the cod family but can be distinguished by their greenish hue and darker flesh.
Biology
Atlantic pollock grow fast at first until they sexually mature between the ages of 3 and 6. They grow to more than 3 ½ feet long and 35 pounds and can live a long time, up to 23 years. Atlantic pollock spawn from November through February over hard, stony, or rocky ocean bottoms in areas throughout the Gulf of Maine and Georges Bank. They spawn multiple times per season.
Where They Live
Range Atlantic pollock are found in the Northwest Atlantic Ocean and are most common on the western Scotian Shelf and in the Gulf of Maine. Habitat Pollock eggs and larvae are found in the water column. Juveniles are found inshore and move offshore as they grow older. When in inshore waters, juvenile pollock school in the open water at low tide, then scatter at high tide and hide in intertidal seaweed beds.
How to Buy & Source
Availability
Year-round. Peak landings are from November through January.
Source
U.S. wild-caught from Maine to Virginia.
Commercial Fishery & Harvest
Commercial fishery: In 2024, commercial landings of Atlantic pollock totaled approximately 6 million pounds and were valued at $6 million, according to the NOAA Fisheries commercial fishing landings database . Gear types, habitat impacts, and bycatch: Pollock are commonly harvested using trawl nets, gillnets, bottom longlines, and rod and reel. Gillnets, longlines, and rod and reel used to harvest pollock have little to no impact on habitat. Areas closures and gear restrictions reduce habitat impacts from trawl nets. Fishermen follow management measures to designed to reduce interactions with marine mammals, including gear modifications, seasonal closures, and use of marine mammal deterrents.
Nutritional Benchmarking Across 106 Species
Where Atlantic Pollock ranks against the rest of the catalogue on each of USDA FoodData Central's per-100 g nutrient measures.
| Nutrient | Value | Rank | Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vitamin B12 | 5.39 µg | 19 / 106 | 82% |
| Zinc | 0.81 mg | 26 / 111 | 77% |
| Omega-3 EPA | 252 mg | 29 / 104 | 72% |
| Omega-3 DHA | 519 mg | 30 / 104 | 71% |
| Selenium | 36.5 µg | 32 / 106 | 70% |
| Phosphorus | 227 mg | 32 / 111 | 71% |
| Protein | 20.04 g | 33 / 111 | 70% |
| Iron | 0.48 mg | 70 / 111 | 37% |
Other New England/Mid-Atlantic Fisheries
Sustainable species managed out of the same regional fishery council as Atlantic Pollock.
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.
American Plaice
Hippoglossoides platessoides
Subtle, sweet flavor.
Atlantic Chub Mackerel
Scomber colias
Rich, pronounced flavor.
Atlantic Deep-Sea Red Crab
Chaceon quinquedens
Sweet and clean.
Atlantic Halibut
Hippoglossus hippoglossus
Halibut has a very mild, sweet taste.
Atlantic Salmon
Salmo salar
Buttery, rich taste.
Atlantic Sea Scallop
Placopecten magellanicus
Sea scallops have a sweet, rich taste that can be mild or briny.
Haddock
Melanogrammus aeglefinus
Slightly sweet.
Shortfin Squid
Illex illecebrosus
Mild, and subtly sweet.
Similar by Flavour: Other Sweet-Tasting Species
If you enjoy the sweet flavour profile of Atlantic 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.
Alaska Snow Crab
Chionoecetes opilio
Sweet.
Almaco Jack
Seriola rivoliana
Almaco jack has a clean, sweet, rich, slightly nutty, buttery flavor.
American Lobster
Homarus americanus
Mild and sweet.
American Plaice
Hippoglossoides platessoides
Subtle, sweet flavor.
Arrowtooth Flounder
Atheresthes stomias
Mild, sweet flavor.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Atlantic Pollock found?
Range Atlantic pollock are found in the Northwest Atlantic Ocean and are most common on the western Scotian Shelf and in the Gulf of Maine. Habitat Pollock eggs and larvae are found in the water column. Juveniles are found inshore and move offshore as they grow older.
How should Atlantic Pollock be cooked?
Atlantic Pollock has Firm. — 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 Pollock?
The stock is not overfished.
How big does Atlantic Pollock get?
grow to more than 3 ½ feet long and 35 pounds.
Sustainability Story
U.S. wild-caught Atlantic pollock is a smart seafood choice because it is sustainably managed and responsibly harvested under U.S. regulations.
Stock Structure
According to the 2024 stock assessment, Atlantic pollock is not overfished and is not subject to overfishing. Summary stock assessment information can be found on Stock SMART .
Population
The stock is not overfished.
Fishing Rate
Not subject to overfishing.
Habitat Impacts
Area closures and gear restrictions protect habitat that are affected by some kinds of trawl gear.
Bycatch
Regulations are in place to minimize bycatch.
Management
NOAA Fisheries and the New England Fishery Management Council manage the fishery. Pollock, 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.
Data Source: NOAA Fisheries
Nutritional Profile
per 100 g raw edible portion · 19 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.