Atlantic Cod

At a glance

Atlantic Cod (Gadus morhua) is an IUCN Vulnerable bony-fish species regulated in 11 of 66 jurisdictions tracked by CatchRules across the U.S. and Canada.

The strictest bag limit is 1 (Federal Waters (NOAA)); the most generous is 10 (Massachusetts).

Across 6 jurisdictions with stated minimum sizes, the average minimum is 24.6 in.

Confirmed by 284 research-grade iNaturalist observations, with Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, and Massachusetts the top jurisdictions by observation count.

Notable details

• A large female can release up to 9 million eggs in a single spawning season.
• Can grow over 6 feet (1.8 m) long and exceed 200 pounds (91 kg).
• Uses a fleshy chin barbel, similar to a whisker, to detect prey on the seafloor.
• Cape Cod, Massachusetts, was named after this fish due to its once-extraordinary abundance.
• Can live past 25 years, though few survive to old age in heavily fished waters.

Where Atlantic Cod are seen

• Newfoundland and Labrador89 iNat obs
• Nova Scotia50 iNat obs
• Massachusetts33 iNat obs
• Quebec32 iNat obs
• Maine32 iNat obs
• New Hampshire11 iNat obs

Jurisdictions with rules for Atlantic Cod

• British ColumbiaCanada · official source
• ConnecticutUnited States · official source
• Federal Waters (DFO)Canada · official source
• Federal Waters (NOAA)United States · official source
• MarylandUnited States · official source
• MassachusettsUnited States · official source

Background

The Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua) is a benthopelagic fish of the family Gadidae, widely consumed by humans. It is also commercially known as cod or codling. Dry cod may be prepared as unsalted stockfish, as cured salt cod or clipfish.

Background excerpt adapted from Wikipedia's Atlantic Cod article (CC BY-SA). Visit Wikipedia for the full entry.

Other bony fish on CatchRules

• Atlantic Blue TangAcanthurus coeruleus
• Atlantic Crevalle JackCaranx hippos
• Atlantic CroakerMicropogonias undulatus
• Atlantic Goliath GrouperEpinephelus itajara