Cod: Pacific

Pacific cod, Grey cod, True cod

N/A

Pacific cod is a moderately long-lived species that reaches maturity at an early age and grows quickly.  There are several gear types that are used in the Alaskan, Canadian, Russian and Japanese fishery, each with their own habitat effects.  Hook and line, or jigging are deemed the least damaging of the gear types used, while traps, pots, and bottom longline all have varying degrees of bycatch levels and/or habitat effects.  Trawling for Pacific cod is also widespread and is considered damaging to seafloor habitats. Pacific cod are also act as important prey for marine mammals like sea lions, and various species of sea birds.

Pacific cod reach maturity at a relatively early age, and is a fast-growing, moderately long-lived species with a maximum age of 25 years. As a species with high reproductive potential and a high growth rates, Pacific cod is considered inherently resilient to fishing pressure.

There are conflicting sources and a high degree of uncertainty in the trend data for the Japanese Pacific cod stocks. While the long-term trend over the entire area (Area 61) is variable, the short-term trend is downward. Data from stock assessments for the Southern Hokkaido stock suggest that it is overfished and overfishing is occurring. The overall lack of fishery data combined with inconsistencies in existing data for other Pacific cod stocks in Japan, taken together with the fully fished status, the short-term downward trends in Area 61 and the poor status of the Southern Hokkaido stock, all result in a high conservation concern.

Information on the extent of bycatch is very limited for Japan. Therefore, actual levels of bycatch are unknown. Based on observer bycatch data from the Pacific cod trawl fishery in Alaska, bycatch in the demersal trawl Pacific cod fisheries is a moderate conservation concern.

There is very little information on the effects of the Pacific cod fisheries in Japan on associated habitats and ecosystems. Nonetheless, it is possible to infer certain effects based on knowledge of the types of fishing gear used, how these gear types are regulated by Japan, and how these gear types affect habitats and ecosystems in similar well-studied areas. Using this information, it is reasonable to conclude that severe habitat damage is occurring in the demersal trawl fishery of Japan.

In Japan, institutions for the effective management of Pacific cod are theoretically in place. However, other factors are currently preventing the proper management of the Pacific cod fisheries. In Japan, an apparent emphasis on other more commercially valuable species has resulted in less attention being given to research and management of the Pacific cod fishery. As such, the management of the Japanese Pacific cod fishery is deemed ineffective.

What kind of cod is this?
Where was it caught?
How was it caught?

Pacific cod from Alaska using hook & line, bottom longline, and traps is considered a “Best Choice”, while trawl caught Pacific cod from Alaska and the Canadian Pacific rank as “Some Concerns”

No health advisory at this time

No.