Pollack

Pollock or pollack is the common name used for either of the two species of North Atlantic marine fish in the genus Pollachius. Pollachius pollachius is referred to as pollock in North America, Ireland and the United Kingdom, while Pollachius virens is usually known as saithe or coley in Great Britain and Ireland. As far as the nutritional value of pollock, like salmon, tuna and cod, it is a good source of lean protein and low in saturated fat. All of these fish are also a good source of vitamin B12, phosphorous, and selenium.Almost everybody eats Alaska Pollock but hardly anybody knows what they are eating. Alaska Pollock is known as the fish that doesn’t get any respect.Pollock is the preferred fish of many restaurants, taquerias and fast food chains. Pollock is the fish that makes the pervasive fish paste that is used to make seafood analogs, the artificial shellfish products that look and taste very much like the real thing, but cost a lot less.Salmon is the highest in omega 3 fat, which is one of the best reasons for eating fish. But it is also important to consider how the fish is prepared, because if it is deep fried, it is high in fat and not a very healthy choice as compared to baking or grilling. And remember that canned tuna is usually high in sodium.Pollock is as healthy a fish choice as cod and tuna except it is often served fried, which would negate the benefit of eating fish as your protein choice. And Alaska Pollock, not deep fried, is the better value whitefish.AppearanceAtlantic pollock are brownish-green on the back and slightly pale on the belly.They have a small chin barbel, like the whiskers on a catfish.They are a member of the cod family but can be distinguished by their greenish hue and darker flesh.Atlantic pollock grow fast at first until they sexually mature between the ages of 3 and 6.They grow to more than 3 ½ feet long and 35 pounds and can live a long time, up to 23 years.Atlantic pollock spawn from November through February over hard, stony, or rocky ocean bottoms in areas throughout the Gulf of Maine and Georges Bank.They spawn multiple times per season.Pollock eggs rise into the water column after they are released and fertilized.Smaller pollock in inshore waters feed on small crustaceans and small fish. Larger pollock mainly prey on fish.A variety of fish eat juvenile pollock. Spiny dogfish, monkfish, and other pollock prey on adults.Pollock eggs and larvae are found in the water column.Juveniles are found inshore and move offshore as they grow older. When in inshore waters, juvenile pollock school in the open water at low tide, then scatter at high tide and hide in intertidal seaweed beds.Adults live offshore near the ocean floor over a wide variety of ocean bottom habitats including sand, mud, rocks, and vegetation.Atlantic pollock swim in schools and are believed to travel extensively between the Scotian Shelf and Georges Bank and, to a lesser extent, between the Scotian Shelf and the Gulf of Maine.Commercial fishery:In 2021, commercial landings of Atlantic pollock totaled approximately 7.3 million pounds and were valued at $9.7 million, according to the NOAA Fisheries commercial fishing landings database.Gear types, habitat impacts, and bycatch:Pollock are commonly harvested using trawl nets, gillnets, bottom longlines, and rod and reel.Gillnets, longlines, and rod and reel used to harvest pollock 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:Pollock is growing in popularity with anglers that have traditionally targeted other groundfish like cod and haddock. Anglers target pollock from boats and shore using both lures and bait. Successful anglers find that the fish puts up a spirited fight. Fishing occurs year-round.Regulations are limited to a minimum fish size in federal waters.Pollock fish is excellent for reproductive health. It’s known to increase fertility due to its positive effects on hormone production and metabolic processes in the body.Pregnancy nutritionUnderstanding the guidelines for pregnancy and seafood is important. Pollock, which is a great source of iron and zinc, can be beneficial for your baby’s development. The omega-3 fatty acids can also aid in your baby’s brain development. Pollock is also low in mercury and a good option during pregnancy. But you should always cook fish thoroughly if you’re pregnant.Phosphorus helps in controlling neurological responses, and its deficiency may result in disrupted cognitive functions. Cognitive issues or poor memory are typically associated with a deficiency of vitamin B, which can be found in pollock fish. The B vitamins have also been linked to a decreased risk of dementia, depression, and insomnia. Also, omega-3 fatty acids have been widely shown to promote brain and mental health.Hagfishes are minor pests of commercial food fisheries of the North Atlantic, but lampreys, because of their parasitic habit, have been a serious pest of food fisheries in the Great Lakes in North America, where they have reduced the numbers of lake trout and other species. Agnathans are otherwise of little economic importance. The group is of great evolutionary interest, however, because it includes the oldest known craniate fossils and because the living agnathans have many primitive characteristics.