Species · GBIF taxon 2415861
Pollock
Pollachius virensAlso known as Coalfish, Coley, Saithe, Boston Bluefish
Saithe form massive, fast-moving schools that patrol the water column from rocky coastal kelp forests to deep offshore wrecks. These active predators are easily distinguished from cod by their deeply forked tails, greenish-black backs, and straight, pale lateral lines. Young fish spend their early years in shallow inshore waters before migrating to deeper seas as they mature.
MarineSchoolingPredatory
Licensed referenceUnknown / CC-BY · cc-by
- diet
- Small fish, krill, sand eels, and swimming crabs
- family
- Gadidae
- threats
- Overfishing, climate change affecting water temperatures, and habitat degradation
- life Span
- Up to 25 years
LC
Safe to observe at a normal distance.
- Diving Encounters: Look for them schooling around deep rocky reefs and shipwrecks.
- Angling Practice: Use shiny lures that mimic sand eels or small herring.