Haddock
Melanogrammus aeglefinus
Also known as Scrod
Culinary Profile
Slightly sweet.
Firm yet tender. Its delicate flake is finer than that of cod.
Haddock is a great source of low-fat protein, magnesium, and selenium.
Gastronomic Specifications
Biology & Habitat
Appearance
Haddock are a member of the cod family, but they are smaller than Atlantic cod. They can be distinguished by a black “thumbprint” found on each side of their body. Their skin is also less mottled than cod.
Biology
Haddock are a fast-growing species that typically range between 1 and 3 feet long at maturity. They can live for 10 or more years, although NOAA Fisheries scientists typically catch haddock that are between 3 and 7 years old. They generally weigh between 2 and 7 pounds. Haddock begin to reproduce between the ages of 1 and 4 years old and at 10.5 to 11.7 inches long.
Where They Live
Range Haddock are found on both sides of the North Atlantic. In the western North Atlantic, they’re found from Newfoundland to Cape May, New Jersey, and are most abundant on Georges Bank and in the Gulf of Maine. Habitat Haddock are groundfish—they live near the bottom and prefer habitats of gravel, pebbles, clay, and smooth hard sand. These bottom types are more common on Georges Bank.
How to Buy & Source
Availability
Year-round.
Source
U.S. wild-caught mostly from Maine to New Jersey.
Commercial Fishery & Harvest
Commercial fishery: In 2024, commercial landings of haddock totaled 7 million pounds and were valued at approximately $9.7 million, according to the NOAA Fisheries commercial fishing landings database . Gear types, habitat impacts, and bycatch: Haddock are commonly harvested using trawl nets, gillnets, bottom longlines, and rod and reel. Gillnets, longlines, and rod and reel used to harvest haddock 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. Recreational fishery: Haddock are highly prized by recreational fishermen.
Nutritional Benchmarking Across 65 Species
Where Haddock 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 mg | 12 / 65 | 82% |
| Phosphorus | 227 mg | 32 / 111 | 71% |
| Vitamin B12 | 1.83 µg | 51 / 106 | 52% |
| Vitamin D | 0.5 IU | 54 / 54 | 0% |
| Protein | 16.32 g | 83 / 111 | 25% |
| Omega-3 DHA | 89 mg | 84 / 104 | 19% |
| Omega-3 EPA | 42 mg | 86 / 104 | 17% |
| Zinc | 0.32 mg | 102 / 111 | 8% |
| Selenium | 25.9 µg | 103 / 106 | 3% |
| Iron | 0.17 mg | 109 / 111 | 2% |
Other New England/Mid-Atlantic Fisheries
Sustainable species managed out of the same regional fishery council as Haddock.
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 Pollock
Pollachius virens
Sweet and delicate.
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.
Shortfin Squid
Illex illecebrosus
Mild, and subtly sweet.
Similar by Flavour: Other Sweet-Tasting Species
If you enjoy the sweet flavour profile of Haddock, 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
How big does Haddock get?
growing species that typically range between 1 and 3 feet.
How much choline does Haddock contain?
A 100 g raw serving of Haddock supplies 65 mg of choline, around 12% of the 550 mg daily value — notable for prenatal and liver-health contexts.
How much protein is in 100 g of Haddock?
A 100 g raw serving of Haddock provides 16.32 g of protein — roughly 33% of the FDA 50 g daily value.
How long do Haddock live?
Live for 10 or more years, although NOAA Fisheries scientists typically catch haddock that are between 3 and 7 years.
Sustainability Story
U.S. wild-caught haddock is a smart seafood choice because it is sustainably managed and responsibly harvested under U.S. regulations.
Stock Structure
There are two stocks of haddock: Georges Bank and Gulf of Maine stocks. According to the most recent stock assessments: The Georges Bank stock is not overfished and is not subject to overfishing (2024 stock assessment). Summary stock assessment information can be found on Stock SMART .
Population
The Gulf of Maine and Georges Bank stocks are 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
There are two stocks of haddock 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 haddock; NOAA Fisheries and the New England Fishery Management Council collaborate with Canada to jointly manage Georges Bank haddock, because the stock spans both waters.
Data Source: NOAA Fisheries
Nutritional Profile
per 100 g raw edible portion · 22 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.