Fish and Seafood

Fact Sheets

Atlantic Pollock

(Pollachius virens)

Denmark: sej
France: lieu noir
Germany: sealachs
Iceland: ufsi
Italy: merluzzo nero
Japan: porakku
Netherlands: koolvis
Norway: lyr
Poland: czarniack
Portugal: escamudo
Spain: palero
Sweden: sej
Russia: sayda

The Atlantic pollock is related to the cod and haddock. Often known commercially as Boston bluefish, it is also called merlan, colin, saithe, and coalfish (particularly in the United Kingdom). It differs in appearance from others in the cod family by having a pointed snout and a projecting lower jaw, a more rounded body, and a forked rather than a square tail. Fish range from 50 to 90 centimetres long and weigh from 1 to 7 kilograms. Harvested from Labrador to Cape Cod, pollock is caught by mid-water trawls, otter trawls, longlines and handlines.

Atlantic pollock is a lean fish with somewhat darker flesh than cod. It is sold fresh (whole, steaks, fillets); and frozen (whole, steaks, fillets, IQF and blocks). Pollock is frequently salted and cured for export.

List of Canadian suppliers of Atlantic pollock

NOTE: These processors are volume wholesalers and are not usually set up to deal directly with consumers.

Source: Department of Fisheries and Oceans