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.

Spawning stock biomass in Alaska is above estimated stock limits. Although biomass levels are high, it has exhibited long-term declines over the last 20 years. Until biomass trends fall below acceptable levels, the Pacific cod stock levels in Alaska are considered healthy.

Traps or pots are generally considered to have much lower bycatch levels than other gear types. Tanner crab, a prohibited species that must be discarded, is a concern for the trap/pot fishery, and seabird interactions are very low. Overall this ranks as a low conservation concern.

Fixed gear such as traps/pots have less of an impact on the bottom habitat than trawling. Any contact with the seafloor could cause some habitat or ecosystem damage. In a sensitive bottom habitat environments found in the Bering Sea and around the Aleutian Islands, there are various species of slow growing corals and sponges that can be adversely affected by gear that interacts with the seafloor and therefore represent s a moderate conservation concern.

Management of Pacific cod in Alaskan waters includes measures to limit effort and the amount of Pacific cod caught. Mandatory observer coverage in the federal fisheries ensures that bycatch of other commercially valuable species, as well as protected species, is monitored. Management has attempted to protect the diversity and abundance of species by closing sensitive areas to damaging fishing practices such as trawling. These management practices are deemed highly effective.

What gear type was used to catch this fish? Is this an Atlantic or Pacific cod?

Atlantic cod are a seafood species to avoid. Pacific cod caught using pots, jigging, or bottom longlining are a “best choice”. Trawl-caught Pacific cod are of “moderate” conservation concern.

Contaminant levels do not warrant a consumption advisory.

Yes. The Pacific Cod pot fishery of the Gulf of Alaska was certified as sustainable to the standard of the Marine Stewardship Council on January 22nd 2010.