Greenland Turbot
Reinhardtius hippoglossoides
Also known as Greenland halibut, Turbot, Newfoundland turbot, Blue halibut
Culinary Profile
Sweet, rich flavor that is similar to halibut.
Dense.
A healthy, low-fat source of protein that is high in omega-3 fatty acids.
Gastronomic Specifications
Biology & Habitat
Appearance
A cousin of the Pacific halibut, Greenland turbot are a right-eyed flatfish. As they develop, their left eye migrates across the top of the skull toward the other eye on the right side. They are yellowish or grayish-brown on top and paler on their undersides. They have large mouths and large teeth.
Biology
Greenland turbot grow quickly, can reach up to 25 pounds, and can live up to 21 years. Females are able to reproduce when they reach about 2 feet in length and 9 years old. They spawn in the winter in deep water near the ocean floor. When they spawn, females release about 60,000 to 80,000 eggs, and males fertilize them as they swim past.
Where They Live
Range Greenland turbot are found throughout the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands and Gulf of Alaska regions in the North Pacific Ocean. They are less common in the Gulf of Alaska. They are also found in the Northwest Atlantic in cold Arctic waters and deep bays around Newfoundland, Labrador, Baffin Island, and the Gulf of St. Lawrence. Habitat Greenland turbot live near the ocean floor.
How to Buy & Source
Availability
Year-round.
Source
U.S. wild-caught from Alaska.
Commercial Fishery & Harvest
In 2023, commercial landings of Greenland turbot totaled 2.7 million pounds and were valued at $1.7 million, according to the NOAA Fisheries commercial fishing landings database . The majority of the catch comes from the Bering Sea/Aleutian Islands. Gear types, habitat impacts, and bycatch: Bottom trawls and longlines are used to harvest Greenland turbot. Turbot are harvested over sand and mud ocean bottoms, which are more resilient to impacts from fishing than other habitats. Longlines can incidentally catch seabirds and fish. Fishermen must use seabird avoidance devices, which help reduce seabird bycatch. Fishermen use circle hooks to increase survival of undersized halibut caught and released during commercial fishing.
Nutritional Benchmarking Across 54 Species
Where Greenland Turbot ranks against the rest of the catalogue on each of USDA FoodData Central's per-100 g nutrient measures.
| Nutrient | Value | Rank | Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vitamin D | 27.4 IU | 1 / 54 | 98% |
| Omega-3 EPA | 526 mg | 7 / 104 | 93% |
| Selenium | 36.5 µg | 32 / 106 | 70% |
| Omega-3 DHA | 393 mg | 37 / 104 | 64% |
| Iron | 0.66 mg | 55 / 111 | 50% |
| Choline | 61.8 mg | 58 / 65 | 11% |
| Zinc | 0.4 mg | 82 / 111 | 26% |
| Vitamin B12 | 1 µg | 90 / 106 | 15% |
| Protein | 14.37 g | 96 / 111 | 14% |
| Phosphorus | 164 mg | 96 / 111 | 14% |
Other Alaska Fisheries
Sustainable species managed out of the same regional fishery council as Greenland Turbot.
Alaska Pollock
Gadus chalcogrammus
Pollock has mild-tasting flesh and is similar to other white fish like cod or haddock.
Alaska Snow Crab
Chionoecetes opilio
Sweet.
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 Sweet-Tasting Species
If you enjoy the sweet flavour profile of Greenland Turbot, 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 Greenland Turbot found?
Range Greenland turbot are found throughout the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands and Gulf of Alaska regions in the North Pacific Ocean. They are less common in the Gulf of Alaska. They are also found in the Northwest Atlantic in cold Arctic waters and deep bays around Newfoundland, Labrador, Baffin Island, and the Gulf of St. Lawrence. Habitat Greenland turbot live near the ocean floor.
Where in the water column does Greenland Turbot live?
Range Greenland turbot are found throughout the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands and Gulf of Alaska regions in the North Pacific Ocean. They are less common in the Gulf of Alaska. They are also found in the Northwest Atlantic in cold Arctic waters and deep bays around Newfoundland, Labrador, Baffin Island, and the Gulf of St. Lawrence. Habitat Greenland turbot live near the ocean floor.
How long do Greenland Turbot live?
Live up to 21 years.
Sustainability Story
U.S. wild-caught Greenland turbot is a smart seafood choice because it is sustainably managed and responsibly harvested under U.S. regulations.
Stock Structure
There are two stocks of Greenland halibut: a Bering Sea/Aleutian Islands stock and one stock contained in the Gulf of Alaska Deepwater Flatfish Complex. According to the most recent stock assessments: The Bering Sea/Aleutian Islands stock is not overfished (2023 stock assessment) and not subject to overfishing based on 2023 catch data.
Population
The Bering Sea/Aleutian Islands stock is not overfished.
Fishing Rate
Not subject to overfishing.
Habitat Impacts
Area closures and gear restrictions protect habitats affected by some types of fishing gear used to harvest Greenland turbot.
Bycatch
Regulations are in place to minimize bycatch.
Management
NOAA Fisheries and the North Pacific Fishery Management Council manage the Greenland turbot fishery. Managed separately but similarly under the Fishery Management Plans for Groundfish in the Gulf of Alaska and the Bering Sea/Aleutian Islands . Permits are required and the number of available permits is limited to control the amount of fishing.
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.